Neel Fairy Meadows are found in Forward Kahuta, District Haveli in Azad Kashmir. Forward Kahuta is a beautiful village, located 250 kilometres (155 miles) away from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Formerly it was a part of District Bagh but it was the July 2009 when it became a separate District, of the State of Azad Kashmir.
Neel Fairy Meadows is one of the most beautiful places of Kahuta (District Haveli) in Azad Kashmir and its distance from Muzaffarabad (capital of AJK) is about 162 kilometers (100.7 miles). The total area of the District Haveli is 598 Square kilometres (230.89 square miles).
The District has two sub-divisions, Haveli and Khurshid Abad and it is famous for brave and diligent tribes. Farming is the basic source of earning because the land is very fertile and productive which gives a good deal of produce. Somehow most of the people are associated with the white collar jobs. A major segment of the population belongs to expatriates, living in Middle Eastern and European countries and their remittances help the economy to boost. There is a Hydro-electric Power Project, with the production capacity of 4.MW at the Nullah (stream) Battar at Chanjel. The region has a very impressive historical background, mainly because of providing a safer route between Poonch and Srinagar during the Mughal Era.
District Haveli consists of high mountains like Bedori Peak (17,000 feet) above sea level, where Neel Fairy Meadow are in the vicinity and many other beautiful places such as Hajji Peer Pass, Hillan Valley, Ali Abad, Plangi, Khurshid Abad, Kalali, Sungulla Sharif, Jabbi Syedan, Sheru Dahara and Las Danna.
The most magnificent and panoramic place is Neel Fairy Meadows which are situated in Forward Kahuta, in the foothill of Bedori Mountain Peak. It is the popular tourist spot, which is easily accessible through the metalled road from Islamabad and Muzaffarabad. Tourists and visitors come to enjoy the natural beauty and serenity of the place in the particularly in the summers. This is a majestic valley and its mystic charm grips over the attention of the tourists. It produces nearly all kinds of fruits, crops, dry fruits & nuts and above all pure natural Honey.
Its adjoining areas like Forward Kahuta, Plangi, Hillan, Bedori peak and Qaim Abad are the prominent places to visit. Qaim Abad is a famous for the Shrines of Sufi Saints, Baba Qaim Din and Baji Alaf Din. The other adjoining places of Neel Fairy Meadows are:
- Haji Pir Pass
- Ali Abad
- Sheroo Dahara
- Las Danna
- Mehmood Gali
It is a suitable place for the day long visit because it is easily accessible from Islamabad and Muzaffarabad and gives a real retreat for the lovers of nature, trekking and hiking.
Author: Fehmeeda Farid Khan