Tourist Base Camp Chandimarh

By K. D Maini

Establishment of tourist base camp at Chandimarh is the first serious attempt of Poonch Development Authority to exploit scenic and adventurous tourisms in District Poonch. This base camp is situated exactly on old Mughal road near the ruins of Mughal Sarian Chandimarh, famous Noorichamb waterfall is about 500 meter away from this resort while present Mughal road is passing at a distance of 200 meter. This tourist based camp cum Picnic Park is spreaded over 15 kanal areas in lower part of ChandimarhTownshipon the bank of gushing Chitta Pani Stream. The resort is surrounded by snowy peaks of Ganga Chotti, Rattan Peer, Chai top, Chatta Pani Glacierand thick forest belt of Hussan Thumb range which is full of wild life. The cool climatic conditions, tribal hustle bustle and marvelous scenic beauty of this placeshall attract the trackers and nature lovers. B.C Huggle, the author of Kashmir and Punjab had visited Chandimarh Glen while going to Kashmir in 1842, wrote that the climatic conditions and natural beauty of this area resembles Shimla.

Keeping in view the above facts, Poonch Development Authority conceived a project of 6.30 crores for construction of base camp cum Picnic Park for hikers, trackers, climbers, natural lovers and expeditions. MohdTanveer Chief Executive PDA told that tourism base camp cum Picnic Park is spreaded over 15 kanal areas. This resort is comprises of three bedroom guesthouse for tourist, twenty bedded doormatryfor hikers and trackers which shall be furnish properly as per the requirements of trackers and the tracking kits like rucksack, first aid kit, compass, torch, snow goggles, ice axes, tents and climbing ropes shall be made available. The picnic park is comprises of an attractive cafeteria, three main terraceswith green turf and ornamental plants, two deckers for sittings, taking fast food and having view of nature blessed glen.A parking place for 50 vehicles have been constructed for the convenience of tourist while a small canal (khul) is passing through the picnic park which gives natural touch to this resort. The tourist basecamp cumPicnic Park has been completed recently and ready for inauguration. It is expected that this resort shall attract trackers and scenic tourist of Rajouri Poonch and other areas.

Tourist base camp is also connected with Noori Chamb for the convenience of nature lovers, an old cafeteria and a terrace is also available for tourist to have a glimpse of milky vapours of waterfall of Noori Chamb. Tourist base camp is already connected with a small foot bridge towards Manhai forest area over Chitta Pani Stream from where the tourist would cross the stream and from the other side have a glimpse of beautiful Chandimarh glen and tourism base camp which has now taken the shape of a tourist village. This resort will also cater the need of travellers of Mughal road who would stop at this place, have a cup of coffee, relax for a while and enjoy the beauty of glen while leading towards their destinations. A number of tracking routes starts from Tourist base campChandimarh.A 17 kms long foot route towards seven lakesstarts exactly from this base camp via NooriChamb and leads towards BagnuwaliDhoke and Hussan Thumb forest up to transit station Panjtarni Merg. This is 5kms long lush green meadows on 11731 ft height above the sea level which is surrounded by small snowy mountains and glaciers. During summer season this meadows become habitable when tribal and Phari people encamps there with families and cattle. After spending a night in between tribal and Phari peoples at Panjtarni, next day again journey starts towards seven lakes like Nandan Sar, Chandan Sar, Sukhsar, KatoraSar, Gumsar and Akal Dashni located in between 11000 to 13700 ft height above the sea level.These lakes are surrounded with glaciers, bunches of flowers, small mountain ranges and crystal clear bluish water of lakes which in sun lights shines like stars on the earth. KatoraSar is a smallest lake surrounded with glaciers is a source of Poonch river. Nandan Sar is the biggest lake and a source of Ranbira River which flows towards Kashmir Valley. The second route towards seven lakes also starts from base camp via Chai Top, Gali Girjan, Girjan Valley, Kaffar Katha, Ravi Wali, Khuian and then seven lakes starts.

Tatta Kutti summit, the highest peak of Peer Panchal Rangeis located in the north western side of tourist base camp and is about 45 kms away from this place. The tracking routes for expedition of this peak starts from tourist base camp via Panar, Bagla Pass, Bawan mountain and then Tatta Kutti Merg while the second route is leading towards Tatta Kutti via Bufliaz, Kalali, Benota, Hillkaka, Pass Pathri, Bhawan Top and then Tatta Kutti Merg which is the halting place and remains inhabits by Chopans during summer season. From Tatta Kutti Merg, the tracking parties try to climb the summit from the southern side of Peer Panchal. This challenging peak remained the dream of trackers to climb. Only English trackerErenst F Nave and his parties had reached on the summit on 10th August 1901.

There are three important passes in this track namely Seddu Pass, Nandan Sar Pass and Chotti Merg Pass which are opening towards Kashmir Valley like Aherbal, DoodPathri and Yous Merg. The trackers of Poonch Rajouri can easily track these passes by getting the benefit of tourist base camp Chandimarh. Similarly the trackers of Kashmir Valley can track through these passes and halt at tourist base camp Chandimarh.

Beyond Chandimarh, there are number of scenic resorts of marvelous natural beauty like Panjtarni Merg, GirjanDhoke, Khuian, Sari Mastan and Tatta Kutti Merg. With the opening of tourist base camp it shall be convenient for nature lovers to visits these unknown hill stations of Peer Panchal. The world famous writer KrishanChandar had visited Girjan during late thirties of last century. He had written a master piece short story ‘Girjan ki Ek Sham’ based on natural glamour and tribal lifestyle of Girjan and told that there is no place in Kashmir Valley with such natural beauty. This short story has been translated in thirty Indian and foreign languages. The natives of Chandimarh and surrounding villages are rejoicingwith the setting up of tourist resort in their locality. NambardarKashvanGir told that tourist base camp shall have good impact on the economy of people of this area. He hopes thatthe historic township Chandimarh of Mughal period shall again become the center of tourist, trackers and nature lovers and its past glory and glamour shall revive in modern style.

Master Mohd Sharief, while welcoming the setting up of tourist base camp demanded that way side facilities towards tracking routes, Dhokes and Mergs like trafficable bridal paths, shelter sheds and viewing decks at Panjtarni, Girjan, Khuian, Benota, Pass Pathri and Bhawan Top shall facilitate trackers, tourists and nature lovers who will visit these areas.

The District Development commissioner Poonch Rahul Yadav with whose encouragement this project has been completed told that this tourist base camp cum picnic park in nature blessed glen Chandimarh shall exploit the adventures tourism and scenic spots of Peer Panchal range, boost economy of the local people, provide opportunity of employment to youth, Poniwalas shall be engaged for riding and logistic sports of tracking parties and business avenues shall be generated around the base camp and the people of this remote area shall starts the journey of progress and prosperitywith the opening of this resort.

Tourist Base Camp Chandimarh

Map of Chandimarh Glen