Pahalgam
Pahalgam is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination, and every year, many tourists visit Pahalgam. This world famous hill station is 45 km. from the District Headquarters at Anantnag and located on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7200 ft. from sea level. Pahalgam is one among the five tehsils of Anantnag district and tehsil headquarters are located in the main town of Pahalgam. It is a tourist attraction and a favourite place for shooting of Bollywood films, and is still a health resort. Besides tourist huts, several hotels in private sector have come up here and these hotels provide modern facilities to their guests. A number of treks in this region also begin from Pahalgam, as the 35 km trail traverses through pinewoods to the spectacular Kolahoi Glacier.
Pahalgam is also associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari (2,895 m), 16 km from Pahalgam, is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the month of Sawan (July to August). The road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain and can be undertaken by car. From Chandanwari onwards the track becomes much steeper, and is accessible on foot or by pony. About 11 km from Chandanwari is the mountain lake of Sheshnag (3,574 m), after which, 13 km away is the last stop, Panchtarni. The Amarnath cave is 6 km from there. During the month of Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shivling in the Amarnath cave.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Languages spoken | Kashmiri, Urdu, English |
| Currency used | Indian Rupee (₹) |
| Area (km2) | 141 km2 |
Ponies can be hired directly or through the Tourist Office. Tariff boards are displayed at all important locations. Pahalgam has a 18-hole Golf Course, which is of exceptional beauty and quite unique. The Lidder River has excellent fishing beats for brown trout. The environs of Pahalgam offer exciting trekking opportunities, the best known being: Pahalgam - Chandanwari - Sheshnag - Panchtarni - Amarnath Cave Temple - Sonamarg.
Pahalgam Club, managed by J&K TDC, is being rebuilt and once completed will have a restaurant, auditorium, health club, open food court, amphitheater and other facilities.
The area holds a rich cover of vegetation, the dominant forest consisting of conifers which account for over 90%. The principal species are Cedrus deodara, Pinus griffithii, Abies pindrow, Aesculus indica etc. The major shrubs are Indigofera heterantha, Viburnum spp., Sorbaria tomentosa etc. the ground cover is very rich and dicotyledonus herbs dominate: Rumex patientia, Primula spp., anemone spp., etc. There are many species of rare, endangered and protected species. The main species are hangul, musk deer, serow, brown bear, Leopard, rhesus macaque, grey langur, Himalayan mouse hare, etc. With the abundance of fresh trout in the rivers and local farm animals, they have plenty to eat. Monkeys also populate the area. The area houses a good population of pheasants and upland birds apart from other species, both resident and migratory. The common birds are griffon vulture, monal, snow cock, koklas, blue rock pigeon, Kashmir roller, European hoopoe, jungle crow etc.
