The beauty at home: Neelum Valley a haven for nature lovers

[Devil Soul]

The beauty at home: Neelum Valley a haven for nature lovers
By Muhammad Javaid / Photo: Muhammad Javaid
Published: August 20, 2015

Some scenic beauty in the Neelum Valley including Ratti Gali Lake, Taobat, Tithwal, Kel and the ancient university at Sharda. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Neelum Valley is a 200 kilometre-long, bow-shaped thick forested region in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and named after the Neelum River, which flows through the length of the valley.

The valley is situated in the north-east of Muzaffarabad, running parallel to the valley of Kaghan. The two valleys are separated by snow-covered peaks, some over 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level. The valley stretches from about 50 kilometres north of Muzaffarabad to the existing Line of Control between AJK and Indian Kashmir.

The valley is connected to Muzaffarabad by the Neelam Road, which leads up to Kel. In the winters, the road from Keran onwards is blocked due to heavy snowfall, making it difficult to reach the upper parts of the valley.

The Neelum Valley is filled with beautiful and historic places, such as Sharda Peeth. Popular towns and villages in the valley include Kundal Shahi, Jura, Athmuqam, Kuttan, Keran, Dowarian, Dudhnial, Sharda, Tehjian, Kel, Arang Kel and Taobat. The valley’s major lakes include Chitta Katha, Shounter and Ratti Gali.

Many points along the road pass by towns and villages in Indian Kashmir, such as the Chehlana-Tithwal sector and Keran.

In 2013, an official for the tourism ministry estimated that 600,000 people visited the valley that year compared to 130,000 in 2010, owing the numbers to the Chinese-built road linking the area to Muzaffarabad, after the 2005 earthquake.

Tourism injects much-needed money into one of the poorest parts of the country. Though foreign tourists have declined over the years, the new roads allow Pakistanis to discover the snow-capped peaks, lakes and lush-green meadows of the picturesque valley.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2015.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

How long does it take to travel to Neelyn from rawalpindi?

 

[Viper0011.]

The beauty at home: Neelum Valley a haven for nature lovers
By Muhammad Javaid / Photo: Muhammad Javaid
Published: August 20, 2015

The Neelum Valley is a 200 kilometre-long, bow-shaped thick forested region in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and named after the Neelum River, which flows through the length of the valley.

Just plain gorgeous!!!! I'd love to visit this place sometime in the future!

 

[Gazi]

One of most Notable thing about Neelam Valley is that Indigenous Kashmiri Language Kashor is still spoken there which is getting Instinct even in most of Azad Kashmir itself.

 

[Shamain]

@fakhre mirpur @waz @HRK

Btw this picture taken from the first post this is the ancient hindu temple called shardah peeth. The left part of the picture.

@WAJsal this part of the region borders with or is really closer to gb. Neelum is north most part of ajk

 

[Zibago]

One of most Notable thing about Neelam Valley is that Indigenous Kashmiri Language Kashor is still spoken there which is getting Instinct even in most of Azad Kashmir itself.

Refuges too speak koshur in other parts but their kids usually dump it for urdu and pahari

I have only been to neelum once in my life and it looks like a dream its like a murree and sqat without stupid tourists

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

What a beautiful place. Exquisite photos! Such peacful paradise. Pakistan is blessed with beautiful places everywhere.

 

[waz]

Ah, my beloved Neelum Valley. One of the most beautiful parts of Pakistan. You guys really need to stay over a night and just gaze at the stars.

How long does it take to travel to Neelyn from rawalpindi?

Driving? Around five hours. It's all mountainside scenery, hence the long winding roads take a while to travel on.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

One of most Notable thing about Neelam Valley is that Indigenous Kashmiri Language Kashor is still spoken there which is getting Instinct even in most of Azad Kashmir itself.

Neeelum valley is inhabited by Sheen people not Kosharis.

 

[Dubious]

riving? Around five hours. It's all mountainside scenery, hence the long winding roads take a while to travel on.

Me with motion sickness wont make it

Great now I need to marry some PAF pilot to get me there

 

[Shamain]

Neeelum valley is inhabited by Sheen people not Kosharis.

Demographics of jammu and kashmr of both pakistan and indian side arent known by many ppl.

Me with motuion sickeness wont make it

Great now I need to marry some PAF pilot to get me there

Yea try going up kotli too.

 

[Dubious]

Yea try going up kotli too.

how is that better? all the Northern area has zig zag roads with bus drivers high on naswar or something

 

[Shamain]

how is that better? all the Northern area has zig zag roads with bus drivers high on naswar or something

Oh no dear its south to middle part. Here. btw neelum ,hattian havelian, are districts now, but i was told earlier they wernt ,they were just tehsils. Anyways, atleast now they have done something for people's benefit.

And i think we know that in 2005 much of muzaaffarabad and a lot of north ajk was destroyed. Khair many ppl havent been compensated yet. A relative of mine had escaped a collapsed structure (gov institution) just few minutes before it came down.

Oh @IrbiS didnt tag u

 

[Long Live India]

Our Kashmir is more or less same or should I say even more beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pics though.

 

[Shamain]

Our Kashmir is more or less same or should I say even more beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pics though.

No doubt. As put by Uno the most beautiful prison in world is indian occupied kashmir.

Bravo.