Resources are not enough to grow, a vision is needed and a vision without execution is hallucination
Adil Ishaq
Sadhna Pass previously known as Nesthachun Gali, located in Shamasbari mountain range in the North West of Kashmir Valley, connecting the frontier Tehsil Karnah of Kupwara District with the rest of the valley. The pass is around 3000m above sea level surrounded by the fascinating hills all around and is located at a distance of around 50 KMs from Kupwara headquarter. Mostly, this pass remains in news for its deadliest face.
As the pass is dangerous to cross and carries out dreadful accidents, consuming dozens of human lives every year. Following this precarious aspect the inhabitants of Karnah are demanding for the construction of Sadhna Tunnel through Shamasbari mountain range so that the pass can be bypassed in winters.
Irrespective of its deadliest face it has positive faces too. For sure Sadhna top muffle up a terrible look in winters when 10-20ft snow gets accumulated and temperature dips upto -20°C. But in summers it gives equivalent beautiful and pleasant keeks all around. Right from the top of the Sadhna, the valley of Karnah and the Leepa mountain ranges of Muzafarabad region on one side and chowkibal Kupwara region on the other side give a beautiful glimpse. From an altitude of more than 11000 ft, views of Karnah Valley, Chowkibal and Kralpora region, the surrounding hills and greenery could be glimpsed from anywhere one stands at Sadhna Top. Mists hanging over the down Valleys and the forests of Pine are just the beginning of the spell that casted over this hill destination. As the ‘Baby Sun’ opens eyes for the dawn, life in small houses down the valleys starts getting stirred to lovely wakening.
The curvy road resembles to the back of double-humped camel. There are many subsidiary spots nearer to this Sadhna pass. One who crosses the Sadhna pass while traveling to Karnah experience the scenic beauty of Danna,Taar, KanDI dawana, Zarla(the spots attached in pictures). Adjacent to these spots there are many Behaks(Behak: a location for temporary settlement in summer for cattle rearing purpose) which are occupied by the local people of Karnah. All These spots are collectively named as Sadhna Top and are enriched with all those features which make this region eligible for developing as a tourism site. This whole region is replete with a diverse variety of flora and fauna also. Among the crown jewels of tourism in J&K , Sadhna has its own charm. On the Indian context there are very few hill destinations above this height. Sadhna with 3000 m height has a peculiarity in this regard. Sadhna is picturesque hill top characterized by the mighty Shamasbari Mountains and vast expanses of forests. It can be made an idyllic holiday destination for nature and peace lovers, away from the city’s hustles. On visiting this hill destination, One can experience its beauty and calmness and also fresh and pleasant environment.
There are few things, which can push a downtrodden region towards growth that is establishing industries, making the region stratigically important or promoting tourism. If we talk about Karnah, Industrial sector has least scope here. Secondly, though the region has a scope of becoming a trade centre(already had been in the past) between this and that side of kashmir but it seems impossible as the relations between two nations on borders getting sour day by day. And the left out option is tourism sector which has a larger scope in the region. If the potentiality of Sadhna be analysed keenly and efforts will be applied by tourism department , it will emerge as a best tourist spot in J&K with an height of around 11000 ft above sea level. What time demands, an effort from the Government to bring this Sadhna top on tourist map of J&K. Its ironic to mention that despite of having many scenic spots in Karnah Valley like Teetwal, Jabdi, Karanu,etc the valley has not been entered in the tourism record so far, which clearly indicates that it has been neglected at large scale by the previous govts. Now past negligence can only be overcome by bringing this top on tourist map. It will creat job opportunity for local people of Karnah and Kupwara also. Many unemployed people of adjacent areas like Chowkibal, Kralpora, Karnah, Marasari, etc will be engaged in tourism related activities and can avail a prosperous life in future.
