Bangus Valley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bangus Valley | |
|---|---|
  Bangus Valley Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India  Bangus Valley Bangus Valley (India) | |
| Floor elevation | 3,012 m (9,882 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Coordinates | 34°22′52″N 74°04′12″E / 34.38111°N 74.07000°E |
The Bangus Valley official name Bungus Valley[1] is located in Kupwara District of Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir. It is west of Handwara town. It is situated in the Pir Panjal range and is known for its breath-taking natural beauty, including snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, and crystal clear streams. It has got two ways, one from Kupwara side which is 42 kms away from main town Kupwara and other from handwara side which is 29 kms respectively. Both the roads are almost completed.[2]
The term Bangus comes from Kashmiri word Van (Forest) and gase (grass).[3]
Geography
Bangus is about 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Srinagar at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The principal valley is locally known as "Boud Bangus" (Big Bangus) and has an estimated area of about 300 square kilometers. It consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east–west axis and is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north. Kazinag Range (up to 4,732 metres (15,525 ft) from sea level) in the south. A smaller valley known as "Lokut Bangus" (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the main valley. Lashar valley is from North side of boud bangus and bidrun Top is favourite destination for trekkers. Bidrun Top is a one kilometre (0.62 mi) long steep trekking from Behak area.[4] There are three routes to visit this place. The least distance route is from Handwara via Rajwar. The second route is also from Handwara but via Reshwari mawer. The third route from Kupwara via Chowkibal.The rajwar route is the latest one developed gives easy access to bungus valley as the road through this route is plain and offers no steep slopes or curves upto wadder payeen. Zachaldara being the tehsil on this route can serve the purpose of food and accommodation. The route via mawer and chowkibal kupwara are quite beautiful but long.
The valley is traversed by many small streams with nearly 14 tributaries, including the Roshan Kul, Tillwan Kul and Douda Kul. The water of these streams form one of the headwaters of the Kamil River which in turn joins the Lolab stream, thus forming the Pohru River.[4]
