Arfath Wani
Making mountains accessible by all means to enable people with disabilities to travel in the mountains. Making the mountains accessible is a major challenge,but some destinations have already developed adapted infrastructure and services. Mountain tourism involves many ways of hiking and wandering through rough and rocky terrain. Mountain tourism is an activity which takes place in a definite and limited geographical space such as hills and mountains with distinctive characteristics and attributes that are inherent to a specific landscape, topography, climate, biodervisity (flora and fauna) and local community. More than 50 million people visit mountains each year Many mountain towns around the world depend on tourists to support them.People on the town provide food and lodging for tourists who come to enjoy the nearby mountains. Our mountains can be Places for Leisure activities many people like ski on mountains. Some people like to just visit mountains to take photos and admire the beauty. Tourists are attracted to mountains for many reasons ,the climate and clean air beautiful scenery, local tradions, peace and simple life style and also tourists can enjoy mountaineering and paragliding activities. There are many activities of winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, Icefall climbing, winter walking and ice skating. Mountain tourism is totally based on adventure activities.People from cities and big towns are very found of climbing and camping..They come for recreation during vacations and enjoy the beauty and peace of mountains. Banihal has always been known as the gateway connecting Jammu and Kashmir which was made famous by the 2.5 km long Jawahar tunnel and now the Banihal-Qazigunf rail tunnel [India’s longest and the third longest in Asia] Another four lined tunnel is under construction. The Pir-Panchal mountain range separates Kashmir valley from the himalayas and plains of the south. Banihal is closely surrounded by rock and snow mountains and temperature in winter dips as low as 10 degree centigrade. In Banihal, the weather is temperature with pleasant summer and harsh winters. The terrain of the area is hilly with nearly 96% of the population is rural based. The Banihal is rising up as tourist hub day by day because of rail connectivity. The vicinity of the station has provided opportunities of adventure, recreation & Herbal tourism.
Mountains of Banihal are the gift of nature .We must raise awareness about environmental issues and furthering education on mountains preservation and sustainable practice.
The Pir-Panchal range has variety of herbs which are useful for curing numerous ailments. Banihal has various adventures and leisure spots Nilpal Lamber this spot is situated at a distance of about 5 Kms from railway station banihal with motor able road. Thandi-chhah this potential tourist place is about 10 Kms from banihal town connected by a motor able road. Zabban The picturesque meadow of zabban is located about 5kms from the national highway. Neel top this scenic spot is located at a distance of about 55 Kms from district headquarter Ramban & 25 Kms from banihal town via chamalwas village, at an altitude of nearly 1900 to 2000m. The popular peak of the area is Hansraj peak (3998m).It is situated at Pir-Panchal range, about 15kms from Banihal pass. Banihal is best destination for camping as well important camping spots of the vicinity has attraction of everyone who want to spend some of their lovely moments at such spots. Camping and night halt on the top of Pir-Panchal range is enjoyable during summer season. Some important spots are : Thalan, Yamul top, Mal Tragan, Vasamarg, Navan, Tanka Top,Zaban,Fagoo,Chamalwas,Tunnel Top etc. The potential traditional trekking routes of olden days which are stil used by people in summer are Neel top, wasamarg, Navan, Tankatop and many other routes .
Banihal has vast opportunity floricultural, orchard, agro, herbal, recreation, Village and adventure tourism potential. It is a promising tourist resort which when exposed to the outside world can make a mark on tourist landscape. Mountains of Banihal are the gift of nature .We must raise awareness about environmental issues and furthering education on mountains preservation and sustainable practice.
(The author is a freelancer. Views are his own) [email protected]
