Lolab Valley
| Lolab Valley | |
| Valley | |
 Lolab Valley | |
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Region | Kashmir Division |
| District | Kupwara |
| Municipality | Sogam[1] |
| Borders on | Neelum Valley (North) Kashmir Valley (South) |
| River | Lahwal River |
| Location | Sogam |
| - elevation | 5,564 ft (1,696 m) |
| - coordinates | 34°30′N 74°22′E / 34.500°N 74.367°ECoordinates: 34°30′N 74°22′E / 34.500°N 74.367°E |
| Length | 15 mi (24 km) |
| Width | 2 mi (3 km) |
| Easiest access | NH 1A |
The Lolab Valley is a Himalayan[2] sub-valley and forms the north-western corner of the Kashmir Valley formed by the Lahwal River in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The entrance to the valley lies 9 km (5.6 mi) north of Kupwara town and the centre of the valley lies 114 km (71 mi) northwest of Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an oval-shaped valley 15 miles (24 km) long with an average width of 2 miles (3.2 km).
Geography
The Lolab Valley is situated within the jurisdiction of Sogam, a block of Kupwara. It is bordered by the Kashmir Valley to the south and the Neelum Valley to the north, and is separated by Nagmarg meadows from Bandipore[3] to the east. It is formed by the flow of Lahwal River, which flows from east to west. The Lolab Valley is home to many ancient springs, and is covered with dense forests of pine and fir.[4] Fruit trees such as apple, cherry, peach, apricot and walnut are common in the valley, which is known as "the fruit bowl of Jammu and Kashmir".[5] The valley has several natural landmarks and tourist spots, such as the caves of Kalaroos. The main towns in the Lolab Valley are Sogam, Kalaroos, Kigam, Lalpor, Tekipora, Chandigam, Kandi and Muqam.the Lolab Valley has two division POUTNAI and Brunai, the areas INCLUDED in POUTNAI are, chandigam, etc. in Brunai are KuligAm, cheepora, varnow, etc.
Ecology
Like other valleys in the region, Lolab Valley is also home to many Himalayan wild animals, which include Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, ibex, markhor, hangul and musk deer.[6] Lolab Vally is adjacent to Neelum Valley, and separated by the Line of Control,[7] The Valley has seen many armed combats[8][9] which has resulted in the displacement of many wild animals.
Access
The Lolab Valley is well connected by road to Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and Srinagar Airport. A bus takes three hours to cover a distance of 114 km and leads through the towns of Sopore and Kupwara. In Lolab Valley, there are a few tourist huts and many camping site.It has the potential to become one of the best tourist destinations in kashmir.
References
- ↑ "Sogam page on Fallingrain". Fallingrain Genomics. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- ↑ S.A. Qazi (2005). Systematic Geography Of Jammu And Kashmir. APH Publishing, 2005. p. 16–. ISBN 9788176487863. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ↑ John Murray, 1906 (1906). Handbook to India, Burma, and Ceylon. John Murray, 1906. p. 253–. ISBN 9788178350172. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ↑ "Loalab Valley on Ikashmir". ikashmir. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
- ↑ "Fruit bowl of J&K". india9.com. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
- ↑ Charles Ellison Bates (1980). A gazeteer of Kashmír and the adjacent districts of Kishtwar, Badrawár, Jamu, Naoshera, Punch, and the valley of the Kishen Gang. Light & Life Publishers, 1980. p. 26–. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ↑ India Today Volume 25. Thomson Living Media India Ltd., 2000. 2000. pp. 53, 54–. ISBN 9780674018174. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ↑ Outlook, Volume 46, Issues 39-47. Hathway Investments Pvt Ltd, 2006. 2006. p. 162–. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ↑ Sumantra Bose (2005). Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace. Harvard University Press, 2005. p. 282–. ISBN 9780674018174. Retrieved 3 July 2012.