By Gowhar Ayoub, Agence India Press,
Srinagar: Famous tourist destination “Aherbal” is also known by its waterfalls in the South Kashmir and is about 27 kms away from the Kulgam town. The road which connects the destination ends at the Aherbal and due to non connectivity of roads it has hidden and the natural beauty of “Kousar Nag” located at 32 kms up the hill remains untouched.
The “Kousar Nag” has the beautiful mountains covered with snow and there are the green hilly forests all around. The way to reach the Kousar Nag is through the mountain slopes and it takes 8-9 hours to reach the Kousar Nag.
On way to “Kousar Nag” beautiful places like Kongwatan, Udangee can be seen. In the Udangee there are the bridges made up of snow and ice. The temperature is very cool, below normal.
All around are green grassy forests. The glaciers are pleasant which provide a beautiful look to the nature’s beauty. The snow remains present here and cold temperature throughout the year. Breeze blowing sound from the trees can be listened.
It provides enjoyment while walking over high altitudes towards the “Kousar Nag” through the old mount routes. There is the only population of Gujars. The Gujars living here are migrants from the lower places like Rajouri, Poonch during winters due to heavy snowfalls. After crossing these routes one reaches the valley of “Kousar Nag”.
The “Kousar Nag” valley is named so, because the water of the Aherbal falls originates from here. The water is very chilled to touch. There originate various springs which unite and finally flow through the valley of Aherbal from Aherbal onwards this water gets divided into various branches flowing via different villages of the District Kulgam and ultimately meet the river Jhelum.
This place will be best for Winter Games like snow boarding, skipping but the govt. doesn’t take necessary steps to develop it. If it is developed it could be used for International Snow Games festivals. The valley is quite beautiful, the valley was visited by various international tourists in the 1980’s but since disturbance aroused in 1989 it has been neglected. The valley needs the attention for the development so that it could be brought to the global map and everyone would be familiar about it. The people of the said area want Govt. agencies to take the necessary steps for its development.