Opinion | Bootapathri- A Virgin Paradise beyond the frontiers of Gulmarg

The nature’s possessions meet no end. It has everything, a human soul requires for her growth, development, leisure, peace, and tranquillity. Natural resources fulfil the basic needs for healthy life, whereas, its beauty and glory satiates the thirst of soul. Ever since the dawn of life, man’s pursuits for adventure saw no bounds. Man discovered thousands of hidden treasures in nature, and the journey continues. Vast lush green valleys, mighty mountain peaks, gushing waters, shining glaciers and pleasant breeze refurbishes mind and soul, thus, draw every living creature into the lap of nature. Every nook and corner of the globe hosts some kind of natural landscape that eliminates anxiety and gives comfort to soul. Yet, human endeavours continue unabated to unravel much more to meet this purpose. Mahatama Gandhi has rightly said, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but, not enough for everyone’s greed.”

Baramulla, endowed with numerous natural bounties in the form of streams, meadows, valleys etc. hosts world’s most beautiful meadow, the Gulmarg. Gulmarg received attention since Indian independence, currently one of the few developed tourist destinations in Kashmir valley, hosts tourists in all weather conditions. It is host to many sporting activities like golf, polo, horse races etc. Government organises yearly winter sports festival, wherein, skiing, skating, and allied winter games pull lakhs of tourists and adventure enthusiasts. Prior to the insurgent uprising, Gulmarg was the preferred Bollywood shooting destination; almost every Bollywood feature film from early sixties to early nineties bears one scene pictured here. Replacement of chairlift with electric cable car (Gandola), and return of normalcy, once again raised the tourist flow and Bollywood resurgence.
The recent political and social developments led to softening of borders by the security forces across valley, throwing open various meadows, valleys, mountain ranges, streams and springs to tourists. One of the nature’s ecstatic, raw, and awe-inspiring place, beyond the frontiers of Gulmarg, around five to ten KMs travel, lies a virgin paradise, Butapathri. Hosting seasonal homes, docks of Tribals (Gujjars) since centuries, magnificent meadows, fenced by majestic plush green forest canvases at Nagin-I, Nagin-II, Nagin-III, Nagin-IV, Butapathri, and Lianmarg (Aasha) on the banks of border road, this trail through dense forest canopies is a journey to azures. The centrally located, vast meadow, engrossed in mountain peaks from all sides, where sun rays embarrasses nonchalant mornings, warms blustery afternoons, and bids adieu to daylong exhaustions in the evening, Butapathri is regarded as the oldest inhabited seasonal tribal abode. The Ningli Naala (Stream), running down frozen water from Aellapathri Lake/Apparvat Mountain through Butapathri rejuvenates parched feelings at the very touch of it, giving life to withered thoughts, and energising abandoned dreams through divine blessings.
Butapathri, pretty serene place, in the midst of lofty mountains, akin to poetic canvases, where the dusty glaciers, shining rays, and colourful butterflies draw marvellous paintings and rhythmic poems throughout the day is abode to many faunal and floral species. In the lap of a mountain, there is a small lake, Paitla Sar, singing songs of solitude during night. The hymns of wild birds and zeezee insects during the day pacifies mind and enlivens soul. The shrine of Pir Baba on the way, revitalises sense of devotion. Horse rides into the heart of splendid mountain peaks in trendy soft breeze is a lifetime achievement, a memory worth living.
Tribals, mostly Chechies of Katianwali, migrate to Butapathri during mid-spring season (April-May) and return with the onset of winters, during late October-November. This seasonal migration is believed to serve many purposes; one amongst them is grazing of cattle during harvesting periods. “Butapathri is home to many important herbs, locally called Boots, utilised for food, fodder, and medicinal purposes since ages, hence the name Butapathri”, said Wali Mohammad Chachi, an elderly inhabitant in his mid-eighties. However, Faisal Nazir, a collegiate holds views contrary to this. Giving reference of Walter Lawrence’s ‘The Valley of Kashmir’, he says, “It is Budapathri, because, few centuries ago an elderly tribal man migrated to this place for its serenity to get solace, drawing attention of others. Soon, the place became famous as Budapathri, Buda-locally means old-aged and pathri means place, thus, annual seasonal migration started.” Whatever the truth, nonetheless, apart from grazing of cattle, to acquire peace and tranquillity from placid streams, calm mountains, pleasant temperatures, and to obtain important herbs are the main aims for seasonal tribal migration to this place.
Recently, GDA with the limited permission of Army, from 900 hours to 1700 hours, allows tourists to visit Butapathri up to Ningli Nala. This softening stand led to huge public inflow, both tourist and local in to the area which, if continued will lead to economic and social gains. To channelize its holistic tourist potential, authorities shall provide the minimum assured facilities. To sustain its tourist potential widening of road, beautification of roadsides, construction of fabricated toilets, permission for makeshift restaurants, garbage collection and proper waste disposal are imperative. While making such arrangements, Tribal heritage and cultural aspects should be prioritised, which will lead to promotion, preservation and continuation of the centuries old tribal culture. Besides, the development of Asha Banali road needs to be expedited to allow tourists to be witness to nature’s amazing charms beyond vast mountain ranges. This will allow them to explore other adjacent border tourist destinations viz. Sirathani Shrine, Light and Sound Heritage Show at Boniyar, Shahdra, Qazinag, and Aman Kaman Post.

Mohammad Akram
akramiiim@gmail.com