Bangus Meadows Kashmir

arjunm

Has anyone trekked to the Bangus meadows in Kashmir? It's probably paradise on earth and on the flip side (was) the bowl for infiltration in Kashmir.

It's close to the LOC, about 80 kms from Srinagar. Right now, Indian troops have occupied the higher reaches of this place and I hear there aren't much infiltration activities here these days. But I am not sure.

Has anyone been to Bangus? Any information would help a lot.

Arjun

Bhaswaran

I have not trekked but heard it is very beautiful. But I think it will be hard to get permission to go there.

capt_mahajan

Infiltration goes up seasonally depending on snowfall.

Bhaswaran is right, I think you will find it very difficult to get permission to go there.

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Bhaswaran

Read this about Bungus Valley

The Hindu : Opinion / Leader Page Articles : The Bangus — paradise threatened

and this:

Kashmir Tourism: (GreaterKashmir.com) 7/10/2007

arjunm

I have done the initial R&D on Bangus by going through the newspaper reports and internet search.

Anyone have more info that Google can't throw up, it would be a mighty help.

Arjun

anar

a kashmiri friend mentioned he has been there - am trying to find out more (when he went, etc).

VAIBHAV KAUL

Bangusez borzaen,
Hangusez formaen!

Bangus is a high altitude plain near the India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara District, Jammu and Kashmir (more than 100km NW of Srinagar).

Two of my grand aunts belonged to Lokut (Chhota) Bangus. Their father, in a Kashmiri poem, described it as Anendasagara (Ocean of Eternal Joy). It is believed that the Bangus Valley was once a landlocked sea that disappeared to create the beautiful Bangus meadows. These meadows are now surrounded by fir forests and snow clad mountain ridges.

My uncle, who lived in Bangus for six months in 1980, feels that the Eastern part of the Kushkalyani Ridge (Kyarki-Sahastra Tal) in Garhwal is as beautiful, in September, as Lokut Bangus.

Two years ago, when I was not allowed to visit Bangus, I went to Nawgam in the same area (Handwara, Kupwara Distt.), which is a mini-Bangus.

Someone told me that Ghulam Nabi wants to make Bangus a tourist spot. If he succeeds, the beauty of Bangus will be lost forever and the culture of the pastoral nomads of the Bangus Plain, who use the government-owned CPR, will be destroyed.

arjunm

You get two good clues from your mail.

One, Sahastra Tal area in Gharwal can be equally interesting. Will any of our trekking friends throw more light on the Sahastra tal area?

Two, even Nawgam area can be wonderful. What's your views on this Vaibhav?

Arjun

VAIBHAV KAUL

1. SAHASTRA TAL


Sahastra Tal/Shasru Tal/Darshan Tal is on the east end of the accessible part of the Kushkalyani Ridge.

Route:

Malla (25 km from Uttarkashi on U'kashi-Gangotri road, Altitude: 1500 m)- Sila - Chuli (3500 m) - Kushkalyani - Kyarki Khal - Kokuli Tal - Darshan/Sahastra Tal(5000 m). (Trek: 40-50 km one way / 4-5 days one way, Easy till Kyarki, a bit tough after Kokuli)
You should do it in Sep-Oct (wild flower season).

There is another route (very enjoyable, but avoidable):
Follow the river Bhilangana till Kalyani (via Ghuttu-Reeh-Gangi. Then climb the mountain on your left (in the West) to reach Sahastra Tal. Kalyani (2700 m) - Sahastra Tal (5000 m) is quite tough and very risky in June-Sep.

I can give you the details when you start planning your trip.


2. NAWGAM

Don't go to Nawgam, unless you are going to Kupwara for work. I can name at least 20 terror-free meadows in HP and Uttarakhand, which are prettier and more accessible. In fact, almost all 3200 m plus meadows in HP and U'Khand are better than Nawgam.

arjunm

Dear Vaibhav

Thanks for the info on Sahastra tal. I was aware of the Malla route but not the tough one you mentioned. Is there a route beyond to Masartal?

Also, could you list some of the best meadows that you have seen in HP and Uttarkhand. Which ones would you rate the best?

Arjun

VAIBHAV KAUL

1. Yes, there is a route from Sahastra Tal to Kedarnath via Kharsali-Tamba Kund-Masartal-Vasukital. I tried it from the Kedarnath-Vasukital side twice in October and once in May, but failed all three times because of the difficult terrain between Masartal and Tamba Kund.

2. One very accessible meadow of that kind in HP is between Rajgundha (above Bir-Billing) and Plachek on the opposite side of the river Damini.

dooms

Arjun,
Sahasra Tal is a Day long deviation from the Ghuttu - Khatling - Mayali pass trail. If you want to start from Malla side it'll take long but Sahasra tal is on the route. Also the Malla route is even more beautiful than the Ghuttu side.

As Vaibhav has mentioned the route is
1. Ghuttu - Reeh - Gangi - Kalyani
2. From Kalyani you'll need take a deviation and hike for a day to Sahasra Tal. This will be tough climb with altitude gain. You'll need to camp there and return the next day to Kalyani.
3. From Kalyani you can continue to Kharsoli - Tambakund - Chowki - Masar Tal - Mayali Pass - Vasuki Tal - Kedarnath - Gaurikund.

Chowki to Masar Tal and the main pass day are very tough climbs not to mention the other parts are no easy ones.

The whole trek is very beautiful with thick forests for the initial few days, followed by beautiful meadow at Chowki, lakes, moonscape like snowfield. You name it you have it on the trail.

The best time is September.