NEGLECTED VALLEY OF GIRJAN NEAR NOORI CHAMB
The beautiful and enchanted
valley stretches across a large region of approximately 40 Km of length and 30 Km
of breadth in between the lofty and ghostly mountain peaks of Great Himalayas
It starts from Girjan Gali
in the west up to Shakker Marg in the east. The Girjan Gali is in the neighborhood
of Behram Gala and Noori Chamb which lies on the famous highway of Mughal Road.
If our centre or state government and department of tourism takes initiatives
in the public interest and realizes the tourist importance of the beautiful
valley a link road can be constructed from Behram Gala to Girjan Gali and onwards
to the valley of Girjan there by bringing the neglected valley on the tourist
Map of J&K State if it is done so will provide a lot of opportunities to
the inhabitants of Poonch and Rajouri districts for financial uplifitment.
It is not worthy that a lot of tourist
potential is available in the valley of Girjan without any exaggeration I dare
say that there is no match for Girjan valley with regard to tourism as I almost
visited all the tourist spots in the Kashmir valley but the beauty of the
Girjan is neglected and hidden form the eyes of the national and international
tourist.
Perhaps I don’t have words to explain and elaborate
the beauty of the natural gifted valley. It comprises of large number of beautiful
Grassy, green, sloppy and wide spread meadows named as Girjan Gali, Dhan, Bela,
Panjtari, Bayar, Ravi Wala, Gogadi, Soker Nakka, Shakker Marg, Kagh Alana,
Khari Marg etc. In summer season you can see all types of cattle grazing in
large numbers everywhere and in summer days there is hustle and bustle in these
meadows. A large numbers of people form Rajouri and Poonch migrate to these
places with their cattle. People have constructed stone huts for shelter though it is highly dangerous
as these stone houses sometimes collapse and kill the in mates. But people have
developed an habit of fighting the nature boldly.
From the heart of Girjan there
flows a river called as Parnai which is almost overflowed in the summer with melting
snow From Mountains around also due to the heavy rains in the rainy season. The
river and its tributaries add to the beauty of the whole of the region. People use
full grown Tung or Bayar tree by placing it across the river as natural bridges
at many places to cross the over flooded river in the valley of Girjan.
Almost whole of the region is
covered with tall, green and big trees of Tung and Bayar in and around the green
meadow everywhere. These are evergreen forests and lofty trees and green
meadows present a scenic beauty beyond expression. Department of forest is keen
to protect this natural heritage though unruly people destroy much of it.
In the north of the Girjan Valley when
you travel through Ravi wala, Bayer and Soker Nakka you will reach in the
region of natural lakes locally called as Sarr on the top of the Himalayan Mountains.
The names of these sarr are Sukh Sarr, Nandan Sarr, Bhagh Sarr, Katoria sarr,
and Kaldachani. This enchanted region gives an experience of deepa excitement
in one‘s mind when you ever visit these places one feels frightened in this
region if alone. You can enjoy but in company of friends. A renowned local columnist
of Poonch Mr. K D Maini has elaborated beautifully about these lakes and valley
of Girjan. The ghostly look of Kaldachani is worth seeing. The famous Nandan
Sarr is full of numerous kinds of colored fish. A large amount of water flows
out of Nandan Sarr towards Kashmir side which makes the source of Dubjan river
along the side of Mughal Road
In the neighborhood of Girjan valley there is another beautiful region
of green meadows and dense forests called Sari Mastaan the dhoke of Veteran
political leader Late Ch. Mohd Aslam of lassana Poonch. This position is
beautifully reflected in a Gojri song “SARI MASTAAN GIYA O BANKYA”. The
reference is made towards Ch. Mohd Aslam Marhoom. If you ever happen visit Pir
Gali on Mughal road you can look across the region of Sari Mastaan while
standing in the Gali.
Moreover
that the entire region remains covered with heavy snow which falls in the
winter season. If exploited properly the region can be proved usefull for
winter games.
Let
us wait and see that glorious moment when a road will be constructed across the
Girjan valley
BY ALAM DIN Retd
Headmaster
High School
SHADARA SHARIEF
