A visit to Labkhal Bahak

During summers, the mountains and meadows of the Pir Panjal range in Kashmir Valley get opened. Peaks that looked like “a bird’s eye view” during the winter now look vivid in the summer. From kilometers away, the peaks of the lofty mountains look brownish and green, and trees are upright on the shoulders of the colossal mountains of the Pir Panjal forests. For me, all the seasons are pleasant in the Kashmir Valley. There are people who like summer the most. Summer attracts trekkers to lofty mountains. We feel scared in the winter due to the accumulation of snow. During the summer, a huge number of trekkers and tourists enjoy the eminent mountains. Kashmir Valley has vast diversity in the tourism sector. Every corner of the valley attracts you due to its mesmerizing beauty and calls you throughout the year. Tourist destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Yousmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosamaidan witness a huge rush of trekkers from June to September, as such places have various known trekking places, like in Doodhpathri, where the trekking places are Diskhal, Ashtaar, Daani deer, Marg, and many more one can explore.

Today in this article, I am going to explore the beauty of Labkhal.

Birds sound like someone making a tune of guitar, cattle graze like someone has kept them there in such a winsome position, mud-like structures like the artists are living inside them, and the clear crystal and tasty water of springs looks like the best quality water is there.

Labkhal is la mesmerizing Bahak in the Pir Panjal range. The Labkhal meadows are situated in luscious, dense forest that looks so natural and feels like a piece of heaven. Labkhal is in the direction of the south from the famous Shaliganag River, passing through Doodhpathri. When you cross the Shaliganag River, then take left, it will take one and a half hours to reach there through the dense forests. One can reach it via Pal Maidan, Triken Bahak and then Labkhal.

The Kashmir valley has a vast diversity of different cultures, like Gujjar and Bakarwal community - such a lovely and kind people. The Gujjar and Bakarwal communities add to the beauty of cultures of Kashmir. In the upper areas of Kashmir Valley, the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities reside for a short period of time, from June to September, for the grazing purposes of their cattle. It includes cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goat; in the Bahak area, we can see hens and cocks as well. Gujjar and Bakarwal communities reside in tents, or kothas (a muddy small and temporary house).

What is Bahak?

An area where only those people are allowed to graze their cattle who’s Bahak is registered in the revenue records. Bahak means an area in the forest where we can see mud-like structures like tents for the purpose of cattle grazing.

The Gujjar and Bakarwal communities protect the environment.

Gujjar and Bakarwal communities show their presence during the summer in dense forest areas, where they protect the forests from smugglers, inform the forest department in case any forest tree is chopped down or lying down due to strong winds, and maintain the bond with forest officials regarding environment related issues.

What are the needs of the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities in the Bahaks?

The water of the lofty glaciers of the Pir Panjal range is so cold that one may not bathe in it. They need some mobile latrines to avoid outbreak of disease. Need solar panels so that they can care for their cattle during night hours? As we know, the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities in Kashmir Valley are hard workers and play an important role in the economy of the nation.

Suggestions

Bahak should be provided with all the facilities that trekkers need, and it will be a livelihood for the community during the summer.

Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are companions of the trekkers and guide them to know more places.