Opinion | Discover Zamindar Gali: The Hidden Gem of Kupwara’s Majestic Mountains.

Often, we gravitate towards popular tourist spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, overlooking the hidden treasures within our local districts. While there’s nothing wrong with visiting these well-known destinations, neglecting lesser-known local spots means missing out on unique experiences and the chance to enrich our tourism industry.

Each district in the valley boasts beautiful tourist spots that can contribute significantly to the tourism industry in Kashmir. Places in the North, Center, and South of Kashmir offer unparalleled beauty and potential for development as tourist destinations. This expansion would enhance the tourism industry, create employment opportunities for the youth, and boost the state’s GDP.

Machhal village in Kupwara, the north side of Kashmir, situated 15 km from ‘Naaz-E-Hind,’ is accessible via Z-Gali. On clear days, you can even see Nanga Parbat in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), the 9th highest peak in the world. My visit to Zamindar Khan Gali was unlike any other. As part of a border tourism promotion initiative, we travelled to Z-Gali, located just 45 kilometres from Kupwara’s main town. Among the off-beat destinations, we found Z-Gali to be exceptionally comfortable, easy to access, and perfect for locals in North Kashmir. The excellent road connectivity winds through picturesque landscapes, lush woods, towering mountains, and serene water bodies.

During our journey, we passed through Lolab, known as the ‘Land of Love and Beauty,’ famed for its stunning scenery. The vast paddy fields, lush green forests, and winding waterways added to the beauty and enjoyment of our trip. Despite the allure of popular destinations, offbeat locations often offer more beauty and adventure. In recent years, around 79 tourist destinations have been identified across Kashmir, often dubbed the crown jewel of India. North Kashmir, known as the crown district of Kashmir, leads among offbeat destinations, experiencing significant development, improved infrastructure, and a rise in both local and international tourists.

This progress indicates that normalcy and peace have returned to Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the border areas. This has facilitated the promotion of border tourism, with better infrastructure and increased accessibility.

Z-Gali: A Unique Destination

Unlike other tourist spots, Z-Gali (Zamindar Khan Gali) stands out. The beauty begins in Kupwara town and extends to Z-Gali. Situated on the Shamshabari Range at an altitude of 10,700 feet, Zamindar Khan Gali serves as the gateway to Machhal Valley, located 15 km away. Historically, Machhal was a holiday retreat for the monarchy. After independence, it became known as the ‘National Highway for Infiltration,’ a battleground where many soldiers have sacrificed their lives.

Recently, ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ was constructed on the Shamshabari Range at approximately 11,000 feet, making it the highest 100-foot National Flag pole in Northern Kashmir. The flag, measuring 45 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and weighing around 22 kg, is situated on the eastern shoulder of Zamindar Khan Gali, on the Hunmar ridge. Located on the Kupwara–Machhal road, 40 km from Kupwara town, Machhal village is 15 km from ‘Naaz-E-Hind,’ with the road passing through Z-Gali. On clear days, you can see Nanga Parbat in POK, the 9th highest peak in the world.

The ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ commemorates two Ashok Chakra awardees, the highest peacetime gallantry award for soldiers. Col Jojan Thomas, AC (Posthumously), who was martyred at Nao Gali on 22 Aug 2008, and Naik Neeraj Kumar, AC (Posthumously), who sacrificed his life at Gurdaji on 24 Aug 2014, are honored here. ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ serves as a monument of motivation and aspiration for soldiers defending Machhal Valley.

Challenging Yet Inspiring Conditions

The weather at Z-Gali is generally chilly in the summer and extremely cold during winter, with temperatures ranging from 7 to 18 degrees Celsius in summer and dropping to as low as -25 degrees Celsius in winter. The area receives an average of 8 feet of snow, reaching up to 15 feet during harsh winters. High-velocity cold winds make living conditions exceedingly challenging.

In these harsh conditions, our soldiers stand tall, ensuring the security and safety of the commoners. The only army camp in the area, maintaining national symbols, serves as an inspiration. In such difficult terrain, where life is challenging, the government should prioritize these areas to improve the lives of soldiers by providing necessary facilities.

Promoting and developing Z-Gali and similar offbeat destinations will diversify Kashmir’s tourism industry, reduce overcrowding in popular spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, and create new economic opportunities for local communities. This approach will preserve the natural beauty of these destinations and provide sustainable livelihoods for residents.

For more information, contact aaliyasyedkmr@gmail.com

Often, we gravitate towards popular tourist spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, overlooking the hidden treasures within our local districts. While there’s nothing wrong with visiting these well-known destinations, neglecting lesser-known local spots means missing out on unique experiences and the chance to enrich our tourism industry.
Each district in the valley boasts beautiful tourist spots that can contribute significantly to the tourism industry in Kashmir. Places in the North, Center, and South of Kashmir offer unparalleled beauty and potential for development as tourist destinations. This expansion would enhance the tourism industry, create employment opportunities for the youth, and boost the state’s GDP.
Machhal village in Kupwara, the north side of Kashmir, situated 15 km from ‘Naaz-E-Hind,’ is accessible via Z-Gali. On clear days, you can even see Nanga Parbat in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), the 9th highest peak in the world. My visit to Zamindar Khan Gali was unlike any other. As part of a border tourism promotion initiative, we travelled to Z-Gali, located just 45 kilometres from Kupwara’s main town. Among the off-beat destinations, we found Z-Gali to be exceptionally comfortable, easy to access, and perfect for locals in North Kashmir. The excellent road connectivity winds through picturesque landscapes, lush woods, towering mountains, and serene water bodies.

During our journey, we passed through Lolab, known as the ‘Land of Love and Beauty,’ famed for its stunning scenery. The vast paddy fields, lush green forests, and winding waterways added to the beauty and enjoyment of our trip. Despite the allure of popular destinations, offbeat locations often offer more beauty and adventure. In recent years, around 79 tourist destinations have been identified across Kashmir, often dubbed the crown jewel of India. North Kashmir, known as the crown district of Kashmir, leads among offbeat destinations, experiencing significant development, improved infrastructure, and a rise in both local and international tourists.
This progress indicates that normalcy and peace have returned to Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the border areas. This has facilitated the promotion of border tourism, with better infrastructure and increased accessibility.
Z-Gali: A Unique Destination
Unlike other tourist spots, Z-Gali (Zamindar Khan Gali) stands out. The beauty begins in Kupwara town and extends to Z-Gali. Situated on the Shamshabari Range at an altitude of 10,700 feet, Zamindar Khan Gali serves as the gateway to Machhal Valley, located 15 km away. Historically, Machhal was a holiday retreat for the monarchy. After independence, it became known as the ‘National Highway for Infiltration,’ a battleground where many soldiers have sacrificed their lives.
Recently, ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ was constructed on the Shamshabari Range at approximately 11,000 feet, making it the highest 100-foot National Flag pole in Northern Kashmir. The flag, measuring 45 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and weighing around 22 kg, is situated on the eastern shoulder of Zamindar Khan Gali, on the Hunmar ridge. Located on the Kupwara–Machhal road, 40 km from Kupwara town, Machhal village is 15 km from ‘Naaz-E-Hind,’ with the road passing through Z-Gali. On clear days, you can see Nanga Parbat in POK, the 9th highest peak in the world.
The ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ commemorates two Ashok Chakra awardees, the highest peacetime gallantry award for soldiers. Col Jojan Thomas, AC (Posthumously), who was martyred at Nao Gali on 22 Aug 2008, and Naik Neeraj Kumar, AC (Posthumously), who sacrificed his life at Gurdaji on 24 Aug 2014, are honored here. ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ serves as a monument of motivation and aspiration for soldiers defending Machhal Valley.
Challenging Yet Inspiring Conditions
The weather at Z-Gali is generally chilly in the summer and extremely cold during winter, with temperatures ranging from 7 to 18 degrees Celsius in summer and dropping to as low as -25 degrees Celsius in winter. The area receives an average of 8 feet of snow, reaching up to 15 feet during harsh winters. High-velocity cold winds make living conditions exceedingly challenging.
In these harsh conditions, our soldiers stand tall, ensuring the security and safety of the commoners. The only army camp in the area, maintaining national symbols, serves as an inspiration. In such difficult terrain, where life is challenging, the government should prioritize these areas to improve the lives of soldiers by providing necessary facilities.
Promoting and developing Z-Gali and similar offbeat destinations will diversify Kashmir’s tourism industry, reduce overcrowding in popular spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, and create new economic opportunities for local communities. This approach will preserve the natural beauty of these destinations and provide sustainable livelihoods for residents.

For more information, contact aaliyasyedkmr@gmail.com