As Kashmir’s premier tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam yearn for snow, Bangus Valley emerges as an untapped winter wonder. Located 150 km north of Srinagar, in the Kupwara district of North Kashmir, the valley, draped in pristine white, offers a unique experience with its scenic beauty and 2.5 feet of snow.
Despite the allure of it’s snowcapped rolling meadows, Bangus Valley remains relatively untouched by the winter enthusiast as tourists seeking alternative snow destinations are moving towards relatively known, Sinthan Top in South Kashmir, which boasts a bit of snow and good traffic.
Bangus valley, comprised of Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus) and Lakut Bangus (Small Bangus), offers a stunning blend of scenic beauty, snow-laden landscapes, and flourishing flora, promising a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience for adventure-seeking travelers.
The valley, often bustling with tourists during the summer, now embraces a serene stillness accentuated by breathtaking snow-covered mountains, a sight unmatched anywhere else in Kashmir.
Local residents express their hope for government initiatives to promote winter events in Bangus Valley, leveraging its pristine snow cover. Shameema Akhtar, a local, believes that shifting events to Bangus could be beneficial, especially considering the substantial snowfall the valley has experienced, starting from the month of November. Her father, Gulam Ahmad, a laborer, emphasizes the need for attention from authorities, stating that despite the snowfall last month, Bangus Valley remains largely unnoticed in comparison to traditional winter tourist destinations.
The call for government support is echoed by locals like Mumtaz Ahmad, a shopkeeper from Handwara town, who emphasizes the economic benefits that tourism development in Bangus Valley could bring to the local community. The development of infrastructure, including roads, restrooms, parking, and accommodations, is identified as the key to transforming Bangus Valley into a tourist hotspot.
While the weather office predicts generally dry conditions in Kashmir until January 25, with a low rate of snow melting, Bangus Valley remains a winter wonderland, with local snow enthusiasts relishing the snowy experience regularly. The slower melting of snow here can be attributed to minimal human activities, distinguishing it from the bustling tourism hub of Gulmarg.
As Kashmir’s premier tourist destinations continue their quest for snow, Bangus Valley awaits the much-anticipated “bang” – the surge of tourists discovering the untapped beauty of this hidden gem amidst the snow-covered landscapes of northern Kashmir.
