| Lolab Valley | |
|---|---|
| Lolo | |
 Lolab Valley | |
  Lolab Valley Location in jammu and Kashmir, India Show map of Jammu and Kashmir Lolab Valley Lolab Valley (India) Show map of India | |
| Floor elevation | 5,464 ft (1,665 m) |
| Length | 16 mi (26 km) |
| Width | 3.10 mi (4.99 km) |
| Geography | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Kupwara |
| Borders on | Kishanganga River| Neelum River (North) Kashmir Valley (South) |
| Coordinates | 34°29′50″N74°24′45″E / 34.49722°N 74.41250°E /34.49722; 74.41250 |
| River | Lahwal River |
TheLolab Valley, earlier known asLolo, is aHimalayan sub-valley of the larger Kashmir Valley[1] located in the northernKupwara district of the Indianunion territory ofJammu and Kashmir. It is named after its founder, Maharaja Lolo.[2] Lolab Valley extends from its entrance at Goose Village, 1 km (0.62 mi) east ofKupwara, to Diver. The valley is oval-shaped, 15 miles (26 km) long with an average width of 3.10 miles (5 km) that includes three sub-valleys: Kalaroos, Potnai, and Brunai. The valley is at an altitude of 1,590 metres (5,215 ft) above sea level. Lolab Valley is characterised by lush green fields, dense forests, and scenic views, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and tourists seeking tranquility.
The Lolab Valley is situated within the jurisdiction ofSogam Lolab, a sub-division ofKupwara. Lolab is a sub-district of Kupwara. It is a sub-valley of the much largerKashmir Valley and borders to the bulk of the main valley or Bandipore in south by the Nagmarg meadows. In the north it is bordered by theNeelum Valley.[3] It is formed by the Lahwal River, which flows from east to west. The Lolab Valley is home to many ancient springs and is covered with dense forests ofdeodar,kair, budul,pine, andfir.[4] Fruit trees such asapple,cherry,peach,apricot, andwalnut are common in the valley, which is known as "the fruit bowl of Jammu and Kashmir".[5] The valley has several natural landmarks and tourist spots, such as thecaves of Kalaroos and Green Meadows. The main villages in the Lolab Valley are Saiwan, Surigam, Putushai, Khumriyal, Sogam, Lalpora, Darpora, Cherkoot, Kalaroos, Wavoora, Maidanpora, Khurhama, Warnow, Aafan, Takipora, Cheepora, Goose.
Like other valleys in the region, Lolab Valley is also home to many Himalayan wild animals, which includethe Himalayan black bear,Himalayan brown bear,snow leopard,ibex,markhor,hangul, andmusk deer.[6][citation needed] Lolab Valley is adjacent toKishenganga Valley, and separated by theLine of Control.[7] The Valley has seen many armed combats,[8][9] which have resulted in the displacement of many wild animals.[10]
The Lolab Valley is well connected by road toSrinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, andSrinagar Airport. A bus takes 2 hours & 30 minutes to cover a distance of 114 km (71 mi) and leads through the towns ofSopore andKupwara. An under-construction road from Bandipora to Lolab via Anderbugh, Nagmarg Meadows, will cut short the Srinagar-to-Lolab distance by 50 kilometres. In Lolab Valley, there are a few tourist huts and many camping sites. It has the potential to become one of the best tourist destinations in Kashmir.[10]
Travelers visiting Lolab sometimes visit the resting place of the saint Kashyap Reshi, which is located at a distance of 1 km from the village of Lalpora. A spring called Lavnag can be found nearby. The spring is three feet deep and has crystal clear water. Gauri Spring is another major spring in the area. Due lack of intervention by the government, the place has a very poor flow of tourists, which keeps its tourism potential still unexplored. This place still manages to be one of the topmost camping sites in Kashmir.[11]
Some tourist attractions in the valley include Nagmarg Camping Site, Kairwan, Satbaran Kalaroos, Kalaroos Caves, Chandigam, Warnow, Aafan, Machil, Kairwan Anderbugh, Gagal, Doorusa, and some upper forest places like Nagmarg, Trumukhann, Nachyan, Lashkoot, Ibje Pathar, and Kimsar.
Lolab Valley was once visited by the Urdu poetMuhammad Iqbal, and he wrote a poem,O Valley of Lolab! in honour of Lolab's natural environment, which starts with:
پانی ترے چشموں کا تڑپتا ہوا سیماب
مرغانِ سحَرتیری فضاؤں میں ہیں بیتاب
اے وادیِ لولاب اے وادیِ لولاب
Your springs and lakes with water pulsating and quivering like quicksilver,
the morning birds fluttering about the sky, agitated and in turmoil,
O Valley of Lolab! O Valley of Lolab!'
گر صاحبِ ہنگامہ نہ ہو منبر ومحراب
دیں بندہٌ مومن کے لیے موت ہے یا خواب
اے وادیِ لولاب اےوادیِ لولاب
When the pulpit and the niche cease to re‐create Resurrections,
faith then is dead or a mere dream, for thee, me, and all.
O Valley of Lolab! O Valley of Lolab!
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)