Opinion | Z-Gali Kupwara: A Majestic Mountain Paradise

While traveling through, we came across Lolab, known as the ‘Land of Love and Beauty,’ which is renowned for its stunning scenery. The vast expanses of paddy fields, blanketed by lush green forests and meandering waterways, make it even more beautiful. What we found most enjoyable was the ease and comfort of our journey.
Normally, we don’t visit offbeat destinations that are more beautiful and adventurous. In recent years, around 79 tourist destinations have been identified throughout Kashmir, often referred to as the crown jewel of India. Among these, North Kashmir, known as the crown district of Kashmir, has remained at the top among all the offbeat destinations in Kashmir. It has witnessed significant development, improved infrastructure, and a surge in tourists, both local and international.

All of this indicates that normalcy and peace have prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the border areas. This has led to the promotion of border tourism with enhanced infrastructure and improved accessibility for the public.
Unlike other tourist places, Z-Gali (Zamindar Khan Gali) is altogether different. The beauty lies from the Kupwara town upto Z-Gali.    Zamindar Khan Gali is situated on the Shamshabari Range at an altitude of 10,700 feet. It serves as the gateway to the Machhal Valley, which is located 15 km from Z Gali. Historically, Machhal was an exclusive holiday resort for the monarchy in a bygone era. After independence, the Machhal Sector gained notoriety as the ‘National Highway for Infiltration.’ Consequently, this sector has been a battleground for many decades, and in the pursuit of its safety, a significant number of soldiers have sacrificed their lives.

Recently, ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ has been constructed on the Shamshabari Range at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet. It is the highest 100-foot National Flag pole in Northern Kashmir. The national flag itself measures 45 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and weighs approximately 22 kgs. ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ is situated on the eastern shoulder of Zamindar Khan Gali, on the Hunmar ridge. It is located on the Kupwara – Machhal road, 40 kms from Kupwara town. Machhal village is situated 15 kms from ‘Naaz-E-Hind,’ and the road passes through Z Gali. On a very clear day, one can also see Nanga Parbat, which is in POK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir) and is the 9th highest peak in the world.
The ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ has been constructed in remembrance of two ‘Ashok Chakra’ awardees, which is the highest peacetime Gallantry award for a soldier. The two brave hearts are namely, Col Jojan Thomas, AC (Posthumously), who attained martyrdom on the left side of the monument in a location called Nao Gali on 22 Aug 2008, and Naik Neeraj Kumar, AC (Posthumously), who made the supreme sacrifice on the right side of the monument at a location called Gurdaji on 24 Aug 2014. Hence, ‘Naaz-E-Hind’ serves as a monument of motivation and aspiration for the soldiers defending the Machhal Valley.

The weather at Z Gali is generally chilly in the summers and extremely cold during the winters. The temperature varies from 7 to 18 degrees Celsius in the summers and can drop to as low as -25 degrees Celsius during the peak winters. The average snow level is approximately 8 feet and can reach up to 15 feet during harsh winters. This extremely cold temperature is coupled with high-velocity cold winds, making living here exceedingly challenging.
Under such conditions, our soldiers stand tall for the security and safety of the commoners. It is the only army camp in the area that has maintained a spot where you will find national symbols, which is itself an inspirational gesture. In such difficult terrain, where life becomes crippled and challenging, the government should prioritize these places to make the life of soldiers easier and more accessible by providing all necessary facilities.
– The writer can be reached at vadaiekashmir@gmail.com