Geographically Kashmir valley lies between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Mountain Ranges. It consists of four territories;
- Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh)
- Azad Kashmir
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Aksai Chin
Azad Kashmir means “The Free State” is an independent state between Pakistan and India. It was established in 1947 and its foundation day is celebrated on 24th October.
Azad Kashmir is the part of the greater Kashmir region and it shares the borders with Gilgit-Baltistan in the North, Punjab Province of Pakistan in South and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in the West and in the East, Azad Kashmir is separated from the Indian held Kashmir (IHK) by the Line of Control (LOC), the de-facto border between India and Pakistan. Total area of Azad Kashmir is 13,297 square kilometres (5,134 square miles).
Kashmir is a very beautiful country and it is referred a “heaven on the earth”. Its marvellous landscape and scenery is so eye-catching and charismatic that everyone feels spellbound to it. The lush green meadows, snow-capped sky-high mountain peaks and entwined springs, mighty River Jhelum and meandering River Neelum, thick forests with treasures of wild animal species, and sweetly singing waterfalls, enhance the mystic charm of the valley manifolds.
Although all the valley is worth visiting and worth watching, but the enchanting glimpses of the waterfalls are very captivating and spell bounding. Here is the brief description of the water falls in the valley:
- Tilni Waterfall:
It is located in Baithak Baloch in Sudhnuti District of Azad Kashmir. Sudhnuti is 110 kilometres away from Islamabad. The waterfall is located is near High School and still unexplored.
- Jamgar Water Fall:
Jamgar Water Fall is a magnificent waterfall in the Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir. It is surrounded by hills in the backdrop and abundant trees. The whole track is thickly forested and the scenery is awesome. It is the best tourist spot while visiting Neelum Valley.
- Gulpur Waterfall:
Gulpur Waterfall is located in Gulpur town of Kotli District of Azad Kashmir. Kotli is 124 kilometres away from Islamabad. Gulpur water fall provides a very good summer retreat and it is a perfect picnic spot, especially with the family and friends.
- Cham Waterfall:
Cham Waterfall is situated in Chinari, a beautiful village in Hattian Bala District of Azad Kashmir. Chinari is situated 51 kilometres (32 miles) from Muzaffarabad. It is connected through the metalled road, which is called Jhelum Valley Road or Muzaffarabad-Srinagar Road. Accommodation is available for the tourists.
- Amra Sawan Waterfall:
Amra Sawan Waterfall is located between Sawan and Chinar, in Hattian Bala District. A metalled road leads there. Sawan is beautiful place in vicinity of Chinari, 6 miles (9.5 kilometres) away from Hattian Bala. Another unexplored waterfall is located 2 kilometres away from Chinari, at Jaskul.
- Narh Waterfall:
It is located in a small village of Narh of District Haveli. Narh Waterfall is only 60 kilometers away from Islamabad. It takes much less time to access it and ideal for a day long picnic with family and friends, especially in summers.
Author: Fehmeeda Farid Khan