Tourism – Insight on Kashmir

The Hydropower to Empower the Poor: an example from Azad Jammu & Kashmir-(I)

Investing in hydropower energy projects to empower economically disadvantaged communities supports the idea of socially responsible investment.

It also aims to mutually benefit the investors and the communities served.

Pakistan Administered Jammu & Kashmir (commonly known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJ & K) lies along the northeastern region of Pakistan.

It is an emerging tourism hot spot that offers attractive investment opportunities to both foreign and local investors.

The region has a huge potential to provide safe and profitable investment opportunities in the clean and renewable energy sector.

The presence of Chinese construction companies in this region is due to China’s strategic involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government to invest in many countries and international organizations.

As a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has helped Pakistan to boost its energy and transport infrastructure.

The Chinese firms in AJ&K

China has helped Pakistan to build a number of coal-fired, wind, and photovoltaic power stations under the CPEC.

[i]Chinese firms are assisting Pakistan to increase energy generation capability through backing financially and building power plants.

However, only a few of the CPEC energy projects include hydropower as the coal projects make up about 69 percent of planned energy schemes.

The remaining are from renewables, mostly hydropower, with smaller portions of wind and solar.[ii]

Renewable and sustainable energy is an area where Azad Jammu and Kashmir offer attractive investment opportunities.

Renewable Energy

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recommends policies that enhance the reliability, affordability, and sustainability of energy.

It includes renewables, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies, electricity systems and markets, access to energy, demand-side management, and much more.[iii]

The International Hydropower Association (IHA)[iv] considers that renewable hydropower is a reliable, versatile, and low-cost source of clean electricity generation and responsible water management.

‍Sophisticated hydropower plants are helping to fast-track the clean energy transition.

They are particularly good at providing increased volumes of power, storage, flexibility, and climate mitigation services.

Pakistan has 60,000 MW of hydropower potential in the country, of which only 7,320 MW has been developed.[v]

Pakistan’s unexploited hydropower potential largely lies in the northern regions including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

The European Union has recently unveiled a €300 billion ($340 billion) alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative claiming it to be the harbinger of the clean energy revolution in the world.

Against this backdrop, China’s thrust for clean energy infrastructure projects in the BRI- linked countries is highly likely to attract further push in the near future.

The Hydropower

Rising prices, shortages, cuts, and scarcity of fuel and energy are constant headaches to the people of poorer regions.

Also, energy poverty is at alarming levels in the regions such as Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

It is defined as “a lack of adequate, affordable, reliable, quality, safe and environmentally sound energy”.

Currently, hydropower is the world’s largest source of renewable electricity. It is estimated that hydropower could produce up to 6,000 terawatt-hours by 2050. This will be approximately twice as much hydropower generation as today.

China is fast progressing in transition to renewable sources of energy as it has hugely increased the installed capacity of hydropower, wind power, solar power, and biomass power plants.

Hydropower represents the largest share of renewable electricity production. [vi]Electrical energy from hydropower is obtained from turbines.

These are driven by flowing water in rivers, with or without man-made dams forming reservoirs.

The Layout of the Karot Hydropower Project

Figure 1: The layout of the Karot hydropower plant

Hydropower’s storage capacity and fast response characteristics are especially valuable to meet sudden fluctuations in electricity demand and to match supply from less flexible electricity sources and variable renewable sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC, 2021a)^[vii] mentions that hydropower is beneficial for the following reasons:

It is a renewable energy resource that can contribute to sustainable development by generating cheap energy.
It reduces reliance on fossil fuels that carry the risks of price volatility, supply uncertainty, and foreign currency requirements.
Hydroelectric systems can offer multiple benefits.
This includes water storage for drinking, cleaning, and irrigation purposes, drought-preparedness, flood control protection, aquaculture, recreational sports facilities, etc.
It can allow more renewables such as wind and solar to be added to the system.

Hydro Power Potential in AJ&K

The hydropower energy generation in AJ&K can contribute to the economic development and social uplift of the communities.

It can help not only the residents by providing discounted energy but also entire Pakistan to redress its energy deficit by adding more energy to the national grid.

The following table shows the potential of the hydropower sector in this region.

Type of the Hydropower Projects	No.
Commissioned	22
Ongoing	14
Upcoming	59
Total	95

Figure 2: Hydropower Potential in AJ&K, Source AJ&K official portal

References

[i] Columbia University .2019. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Power Projects: Insights into Environmental and Debt Sustainability. (Available online) https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/research/report/china-pakistan-economic-corridor-power-projects-insights-environmental-and-debt-sustainability (Accessed 21 November 2021)

[ii] Daily Times. 2021. Energy projects under CPEC – Daily Times. [online] Available at: <https://dailytimes.com.pk/366072/energy-projects-under-cpec/> [Accessed 27 November 2021].

[iii] IEA (2021) The IEA works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all (available online) https://www.iea.org/about/mission (Accessed 20 Nov 2021)

[iv] IHA .2021. Facts about hydropower(Available online) https://www.hydropower.org/iha/discover-facts-about-hydropower (accessed 21 Nov 2021)

[v] IHA .2021. Country profile- Pakistan (Available online) https://www.hydropower.org/country-profiles/pakistan (Accessed 20 November 2021)

[vi] WB (2021) Electricity production from hydroelectric sources (% of total) (Available online) https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.HYRO.ZS (Accessed 21 November 2021)

[vii] Ifc.org. 2021a. Hydroelectric Power: A Guide for Developers and Investors. [online] Available at: <https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/sustainability-at-ifc/publications/hydroelectric_power_a_guide_for_developers_and_investors> [Accessed 22 November 2021].

(To be continued)

AJK and GB – Towards new ” e ” | By Tabish Abbasi

While the world is heading towards 5G – People of the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) are still looking for basic internet facilities .

There are several areas in both – AJK and GB , where people don’t even have facility of mobile networks for calls etc.

But , there are some good news regarding internet facility to the people of AJK and GB as application were invited by Pakistan telecommunication Authority (PTA).

As per promise by Federal Minister for Kashmir and GB Affairs Ali Amin Khan Gandapur , During Election campaigns in Azad jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit –the process for bidding for the next generation mobile services (NGMS) spectrum is initiated.

All four cellular companies , which are operating in Pakistan , have submitted bids for the NGMS spectrum auction.

Official Source from Pakistan telecommunication authority (PTA) told that PTA has received bids by four cellular companies operating in Pakistan – against both bands (1800MHz & 2100MHz).

Four cellular companies which are interested are Telenor Pakistan, Pakistan mobile communication limited (PMCL / JAZZ) , china mobile Pakistan (CMPAK / ZONG) and the last one is Pakistan telecommunications mobile limited (UFONE) .

Applications were invited from cellular companies for 30MHz paired in the 2100MHz and 1600MHz paired in the 1800MHz band for new technology in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) & Gilgit Baltistan (GB).

As per information by PTA , via their information memorandum (IM) , last date to submit application forms and sealed bids with pre-Bid deposit was September 22 , 2021.

Now, its upto PTA for method of selection of one of the companies – either selection could be done through announcement of qualified winners directly on September 23 , 2021 or digital auctioning on September 24 , 2021 (if and only if PTA can’t choose qualifier from group of applied companies ).
On September 27 and 28 , 2021 – Mock clock auction of 1800MHz and 2100MHz will be held (if required) and then clock auction bidding respectively.
People from AJK and GB are happy over this move by the government of Pakistan , PTA and all relevant authorities. It would be a milestone as both areas – AJK and GB were under high criticism on social media after outbreak of COVID’19 as even for online studies , students from AJK and GB were forced to live away from their homes due to unavailability of internet. Students , who were in AJK or GB , for their online classes they often need to go on high peaks , mountains etc. for better internet quality so they could get their online classes or exams. Employed people , also suffered a lot – for those who were working online often faced internet issues – forcing them to get away from their areas to the major cities where internet facilities were enough.
Complaints were there on Prime Minister citizen portal by students about difficulties and issues they were facing for online classes – especially during online exams . Twitter trends were launched by Students of AJK , against worst internet facility in the region with the Hashtag (#ProvideinternetinAJK).
Federal Minister for Kashmir and GB Affairs Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and Murad saeed faced criticism also during their election campaigns by the educated sect of AJK and GB. They promised to provide internet facilities to the people of AJK and GB on priority basis – and it seems like a dream coming true for people in AJK and GB.
In 2018 , Peaceful Protest was also recorded by Youth Parliament AJK Chapter – under leadership of Mr Asad Qureshi (President YPP Then) and his team – against poor internet facilities in AJK (in general) and in Capital of AJK Muzaffrabad (in specific).
Freelancer community of AJK and GB were also forced to reside in areas and cities with better internet quality – Freelancer from AJK , Mr Shakeel ur Rehman told that “ we can’t even go to our homes for 3-4 days due to poor or no internet facilities there in my native village (KUNA) , chinari , jehlum valley AJK . As on freelancing sites , Your rating matters a lot and rating usually depends upon your time to response any query or to accept orders from different customers and time efficiency required.

With present internet facilities in AJK , You can’t even make calls (audio / video) on whattsapp , messanger etc many times. But ,recent development as applications were invited by PTA , seems future would be better than present.”
Another citizen , Student of Mirpur university of science and technology , Mirpur AJK , Sardar Hasnat (Software Engineer) told his experience of the issues he faced during his online classes and exam.

Hasnat told that even for online classes , he had to live in Mirpur AJK as internet in his native city , Kotli AJK wasn’t good enough for taking online classes and exams.

Human Right Activist from GB , AB wahab Fakhar welcomed this step of Telecommunication authority and called this as “ Morning after long Dark years “ – He added , students of school and college would also get a better chance to get recognize with the technologies at very young age , it took 20+ years of our life and migration from GB – for our education and recognition with internet facility and diversity of online educational and learning opportunities.

To conclude , one can say , Internet is like a basic HUMAN RIGHT in present age – if Right to information , right to education or freedom of speech are basic human rights , then the tool “ Internet” required for freely acquiring them is and foremost right of every Human.

Engr Tabish Abbasi is a freelance contributor and blogger. His email ID is tabiabbasi36@gmail.com

Building Sustainable Tourism in Azad Jammu and Kashmir | Seminar in UAJK

Muzaffarabad (PR): President Azad jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan addressed a report launching ceremony titled “Building Sustainable Tourism in Azad Jammu and Kashmir” by University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJ&K), in collaboration with Center for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR).

The ceremony organized by the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) in collaboration with the Centre for Peace, Development, and Reforms (CPDR) was also addressed by Registrar of the UAJK, Dr Ayesha Sohail, Secretary Tourism, Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed, author of the report Prof Dr Shaheen Akhtar, Executive Director CPDR, Irshad Mehmood, Prof Dr Rukhsana Khan, and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Registrar University of Azad Kashmir Dr. Ayesha Sohail said that if tourism in the liberated territory is promoted as an industry under a well chalked out strategy.

This can play a key role in improving the economy of the state besides raising the standard of the life of the local people.

Emphasizing that the tourism sector can play a vital role in the economic development of the country especially for AJK, Dr Ayesha said that we need to focus our attention on the challenges and opportunities of tourism development in the areas.

She said that UAJK has established the Sharda Centre of Learning in the Department of Art & Designs of the university has also signed an MoU with the Tourism and Archaeology Department of the AJK government for the preservation of archaeology assets of AJK.

The Department of Art and Design is leading the project with other researchers from Quaid Azam University, Hazara University, and experts from Federal Government, she added.

The ceremony was also addressed by the author of the report Prof. Dr. Shaheen Akhtar, Secretary Tourism Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed, Executive Director Center for Peace, Development and Reforms Ershad Mehmood, Prof Dr Rukhsana Khan, and others.

Tourism prospects under CPEC in Northern Areas of Pakistan | By Prof. Abdul Shakoor Shah

Tourism in northern areas of Pakistan is increasing annually. Over 50 million domestic tourists are forecast by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC).

It manifests a lot of potential in the industry. According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the tourism industry contributed 5.9% to national GDP creating 3.9 million jobs in 2019.

If the tourism industry develops to the level of China, its contribution rate to GDP will increase by 5.1% to 11%.
Additional 2.37 million jobs will be created. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has proven itself the Asian giant. Along with other benefits, it will usher in a new era of tourism.
In the past, Pakistan did not attract international tourist arrivals. CPEC has changed the scenario.

Pakistan received a 37 % increase in tourist visa applications due to CPEC in previous years.
Northern areas of the country are unmatchable in beauty.
Kashmir is known as an earthly paradise.

Discover how to fly for free & travel on a shoestring budget…

It embodies the poetry of nature, which no human language can interpret in words.
Northern areas of Pakistan are a hub of tourism. Unique landscape, pristine nature, and the world’s most famous mountain ranges are there.

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The Himalayas, Karakorum & the Hindukush. Whereas, the K2 world’s second-highest peak also lies here.

There are 5 over 8000 Meters of Peaks, 101 over 7000 Meters, and 5100 Glaciers are located here.
It carries 2200 Sq. Miles of Snow Covered area and 119 Lakes.
High altitude forests, 4 national parks, 09 game reserves, 3 wildlife sanctuaries, 230 species of Birds, 54 Species of mammals, 20 species of freshwater fish, 23 species of reptiles, 6 of amphibians, 6592 Sq. KM of Forests.

It constitutes 9.1 % of the total area of Gilgit Baltistan. It offers 20 species of freshwater fish, 5 ethnic groups, and 5 ethnic languages with 36 dialects.

It tenders 7 Asia Pacific Heritage Conservation, UNESCO, and British Airways award-winning Historical Sites, 23 historical forts, and 75 polo grounds.

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Similarly, 65 archeological sites, more than 39,000 plus rock carvings, and inscriptions are awaiting tourists from all over the globe.

Year-long festivals in GB, indigenous music, the centuries-old culture of hospitality, and acceptance of visitors are fascinations for tourists.

There is much more than mentioned for tourists in Northern areas.
Annually, more than 1.5 million tourists visit AJK.

It has more than 100 heritage and archaeological sites based on the footprints of Dogra, Sikh, Buddhist, and Mughal.
Religious tourism can be promoted if infrastructure bottlenecks are removed. Azad Tourism App and Tourism Smart Card have been introduced for tourists by AJK. Two museums in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur are underway.

The CPEC provides an opportunity to connect AJK and GB to the outside world. AJK has been designated 5 projects under CPEC.

M4 under CPEC will increase the connectivity within Azad Kashmir and will open avenues for the diasporas to invest in AJK.

A highway connecting Gwadar with Xinjiang passes through four provinces of Pakistan, GB, and AJK.

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It will be the shortest route from Central Punjab to CPEC, through AJK, shortening the existing route by 50 km and saving around 4 to 6 hr travel.
Tourism will lead to industrial development by contributing to the economic development of Kashmir. Lack of infrastructure development and insufficient structures hinder tourism potential.

CPEC will further reduce the distances and develop tourism through its various projects.

AJK and GB will be equally linked to international trade, local and international tourists, and the local market will also be brought into the mainstream.

Local mining, wood, food, fruits, herbs, mountaineering, and cottage industries will flourish. Railway link between Dina, Jhelum, and Mirpur under CPEC is under consideration which will boost tourism in Mirpur and linking districts.

The new route via the Khunjerab pass would be around 350km shorter than the existing one. It would pass through the Shigar, Skardu and Astor districts of GB and connect to AJK capital.
This route can be linked with Neelum Valley (AJK) via Shonter.

An ‘Industrial zone’ like Mirpur is also under consideration for AJK capital. It will help tourism in the linked valleys of the capital.

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Shonter Tunnel is another natural route to GB via the Neelum valley. It must be completed under the CPEC umbrella. Neelum Valley runs parallel to the Kaghan Valley. Both the valleys can be linked Under CPEC via local routes.

A part of Nanga Parbat Massif falls in Neelum Valley which is dominated by “Sarwaali Peak” (6326 meters) the high mountain in Azad Kashmir. We can link Baboon Top to Patlian and Rati-Gali Lake of Neelum Valley via mule-track.

It will not only reduce the existing distance but also create jobs for local people. We can also link Rati-Gali Lake to Naran Kagan valley via mule-Track. From Rati, Gali tourists can move to Kaghan valley and vice versa.

Through local routes, we can offer a triple package to tourists from Naran Kaghan To Neelum Valley via Rati-Gali and then from Neelum to GB via Shonter pass. Shounter Tunnel will not only reduce the distance between GB.

The route is also significant for trade and defense. The journey to GB via Neelum Valley, Shounter Pass is shorter than Via Rawalpindi. Sharda is the historical and cultural hub of tourism. Opposite to it is Surgan Nullah along which a track leads to Kaghan Valley.
Via this route, the visitors can also move to Naran Kagan after visiting Neelum Valley or vice versa.

Kel is also a base camp for mountaineering activities up to “Sarwaali Peak” and “Sarwaali Glacier” (about 25 Kms long) which is said to be the highest peak and biggest glacier of Azad Kashmir.
Guris valley is also situated very close to the Burzil pass which leads into Astore district of the GB.

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The Burzil pass is another natural route to link AJK to GB under CPEC projects.
Muzaffarabad industrial zone under CPEC will boost tourism in the linking valley.

The Chikar town is 46 Km from Muzaffarabad. We can promote tourism through the newly born Zilzaal Lake.
Kotli is linked with Mirpur Industrial zone and M4 under CPEC. Pearl Valley of Poonch is linked with Azad Pattan, where a hydro project under CPEC is finalized.

It is also linked with Muzaffarabad, the expected industrial zone under CPEC will benefit Ponch dually. Rawalakot, Banjosa lake, and Toli peer can be linked to CPEC via Azad Patan.

Mangla Lake, Ramkot Fort, and link districts and valleys are directly linked to Mirpur Industrial Zone under CPEC which will boost tourism.

Prof. Abdul Shakoor Shah is an academician and freelance columnist, based in Lahore, Pakistan.

Would you like a cup of tea in an igloo?

Tourists are flocking to the one of its kind Igloo Cafe in Indian-administered Kashmir, giving a ray of hope for the revival of tourism in the conflict-hit disputed region.

The new attraction inside an igloo in Gulmarg, a popular skiing destination in the region, serves hot food and tea on tables made of snow.

Syed Waseem Shah, a hotelier, took inspiration for the cafe located outside his Kolahoi Green Heights hotel from Iglu-Dorf, an igloo village with hotels and restaurants in Zermatt, Switzerland.

“It is in the Guinness Book of World Records. The igloo there was 42 feet wide, and it really amazed me. I wanted to build a similar one here, and this winter I finally did it,” he told Anadolu Agency.

The igloo measures 22 feet in diameter (7 meters), is 12.5 feet (3.81 meters) high and holds four tables with enough room for up to 16 guests at a time.

Shah explained that the cafe took around 15 days and 20 workers to build, and sees about 500 visitors each day. “We started on Jan. 25, and are hopeful to continue till March 5, if weather conditions remain cold,” he said.

Slump in tourism

Besides the ongoing conflict, the coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on Kashmir’s once-booming tourism sector.

Since Aug. 5, 2019, when India scrapped its limited autonomy, the footfall of tourists in the region dropped by nearly 80%, the lowest in 10 years, according to a report by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries. It resulted in a loss of $5.3 billion, and cut jobs of nearly 500,000 people.

High-speed internet also remains blocked, creating difficulties for people from all professions from doctors to students and small businessmen.

Sheikh Ashiq Hussain, the chamber’s president, told Anadolu Agency that he is hopeful for a better season this year, however. “But the main issue for tourists is poor internet connectivity,” he lamented. “We have raised it with the government but to no avail. They say there are ‘security concerns,’ but how will we revive the tourism sector if security issues persist?

The success of the unique establishment calls for government support to attract more tourists.

“Official initiatives such as organizing snow festivals and traditional exhibitions should be taken but unfortunately nothing of that sort is happening,” he said. “People will not only come here to see snowfall and greenery, but to know our culture, traditions, and enjoy the food as well.”

Kashmir is held by India and Pakistan in parts but claimed by both in full. Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir.

Some Kashmiri groups have also been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or unification with neighboring Pakistan.

Source: Albawaba

Authorities clean pristine Kashmir’s Dal Lake ahead of winter tourism season

Gilgit-Baltistan: NOCs for tourists

The Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan have strongly opposed the Pakistan government’s decision to introduce NOCs for foreign tourists to Gilgit Baltistan. Pakistan government has barred foreign tourists from visiting the disputed region of Gilgit-Baltistan without obtaining the no-objection certificate from the Interior Ministry.

According to the local media that the Interior Ministry had imposed a ban on visits of foreign tourists who don’t carry NOC with them at the time of visit.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government recently received a letter from the ministry saying that foreigners were frequently visiting Gilgit-Baltistan without obtaining an NOC or security clearance from the ministry, which is against the rules.

The letter asks the authorities concerned to take concrete measures to curb the practice.

The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) has opposed the government move and said the order was tantamount to the “economic murder” of GB.

Gilgit-Baltistan is a disputed area in Pakistan’s northernmost administrative territory that borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Recently, Pakistan has announced its intention to declare the region as its fifth province.

However, India flatly rejected this move claiming that Gilgit-Baltistan is an integral part of its territory.

Kashmir at the crossroad of civilization

yours sincerely,pakistan

Kashmir’s scenic beauty on both sides of the border is equated to heaven on earth. The green belt of endless lush trees along with gushing cool and clear water is a sight many wish to behold. Having heard magical, enchanting and spell bounding accounts of Kashmir’s beauty. Fortunately I was able to witness everything first hand on a 3 day trip to Kashmir. Having stayed the first night at Muzaffarabad and the second one in Keran which is at a distance of 95 km from Muzaffarabad located at an altitude of 1524 meters (5000 ft). All set to return on 3rd day, we decided to go explore Sharda before finally biding the place a farewell.

The white foamy Neelum River accompanied us throughout our journey. At places it was calm and at others it was gushing. Cool breeze caressed our faces and whispered a hymn that the alluring mountains, verdant…

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Drass tourist attraction Kashmir

Drass, Kashmir Indian tourist places are always famous especially when we talk about the hill stations. Drass Valley is known as worlds second coolest place located in Kashmir, India .Drass valley is located 60 kilometers west of Ladakh . The valley starts from the foot of the Zoji-la pass and has an elevation of 10, […]

via Drass, Kashmir — Kashmy

Along the River Neelum (Kishanganga)

The River Neelum, formerly known as Kishangaga is the largest tributary of the river Jhelum (Azad Kashmir) and receives a large number of tributaries itself. In summer, most of the inflowing streams are turbid and in flood.

The Neelum water temperature ranges from 0 to 12 degree Celcius. The river and some of its tributaries have been stocked with rainbow and brown trout. However, the indigenous snow trouts dominate the fish stocks. Downstream of Muzaffarabad, the water temperature in the Jhelum (Neelum) increases ranging between 8 to 30 degree Celcius.

The river Kishangaga or Neelum originates from Krishansar (Kishansar) Lake in the vicinity of Sonamarg and runs northwards to Badoab village where it meets a tributary from the Dras side and runs westwards along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is fed by many glacial tributary streams on its way. It enters Azad Kashmir in the Gurez sector of the Line of Control, and then runs west until it meets the Jhelum River in Muzaffarabad.

The Neelum River is 245 kilometers long, it covers 50 kilometers in Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 195 kilometers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

In fact, the Neelum Valley is a Himalayan gorge in the Kashmir region, alongside the river. This green and fertile valley is hundreds of kilometers in length and stretches its way from Muzaffarabad all the way to Athmuqam and beyond Taobutt.

It is named after the river Neelum, which is famous for its crystal bluish water and that is the reason for its name Neelum. There are two entrances for Neelum valley, one Neelum Road by Muzaffarabad and the other by Kaghan the Jalkhad Road.

Neelum is one of the most beautiful valleys of Azad Kashmir, and it hosts several brooks, freshwater streams, forests, lush green mountains, and the river. Here, you see cataracts falling down the mountains; their milky-white waters flowing over the roads and splashing against the rocks, before commingling with the muddy waters of River Neelum.

Before the partition of sub-continent, this region was known as Drawah. The Azad Kashmir government, in 1956, rechristened the River Kishanganga as the River Neelum, and the Drawah region as Neelum Valley.

The valley is famous for its lush greenery, fir forests, slop hills and waterfalls-

(With input from Daily Dawn/Wikipedia/Fish and Fisheries at Higher Altitudes: Asia, Issue 385)

Photography: Syed Mehdi Bukhari