Off Beat Kashmir… Botapathri / Gulmarg

 

tourist spot Bota Pathri in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), also called the Nagin Valley, has been set open by the Tourism Department in May 2012. The destination had been closed to visitors a period of 22 years.

Bota Pathri, which boasts of serene natural beauty, is located at a distance of 9 km from Gulmarg & 5 km from LoC. The surge in the tourists visiting Gulmarg resulted in it getting congested. Bota Pathri is a good place for the tourists to visit. It is a virgin and pristine place. The infrastructure over here is environment friendly, eco sensitive and is a new destination for the tourists.

It can be reached by hiring a car from Gulmarg taxi stand a drive of 40 mins uphill. I have sent few guest last season to Botapathri ( Nagin valley) in winters it’s usually closed due to heavy snow.

 

#TapanMukherjeeoffbeatkashmir //6290363041

 

 

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Dachigam National Park-Srinagar

 

Dachigam National Park is a beautiful place, located about 22 Kilometers from Srinagar District of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

In past, the park was the exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Kashmir. Dachigam was initially established to ensure the supply of pure drinking water to Srinagar city. It was declared as wildlife sanctuary in the year of 1951. In 1981, the Dachigam wildlife sanctuary declared as a National Park. Total area of the park is about 141 Sq Kms.

The name (Dachigam) literally stands for ‘ten villages’, which could be in memory of the ten villages that were relocated outside the park, giving the place its name Dachigam, which means ‘ten villages’. The Park is located in two different zones, Upper and Lower Dachigam. Both zones containing some major distinction in terms of terrain, flora and fauna.

The Park is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife and bird species. The park contains the last viable Hangul population in the world. The rich wildlife includes Leopard, Common Palm Civet, Jackal, Red Fox, Musk der, Black bear, Brown bear, Yellow-throated Marten and Himalayan Weasel. Over 145 different bird species including the Lammergeier, colorful species like Monal Pheasant and Blue Magpie are seen.

Related to the red Deer of Europe. A rainbow trout fish breeding farm is also located inside the park.

 

Wild animals and Hangul at rehabilitation centre Dachigam NP /.Srinagar