Jammu: Tiger hills in Kargil, famous for all the wrong reasons after die-hard battles between the armed forces of India and Pakistan, can now heave a sigh of relief. The State Administrative Council in Jammu, headed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, has reportedly decided to request the Centre to open up these areas to the general public as tourist destinations.
Hostile terrains in the Drass and Batalik sectors, and more famously the base of Tiger Hill, ravaged by the savage weather conditions over several eons, and more recently, very fierce Indo-Pak clashes, are now being actively considered as potential tourist destinations.
Apricot village- Batalik Junction to Gargardo, Tiger Hill Base- Drass-Sumda-Marpola and LoC visits on Kargil-Hunderman Brok Ridge, National Highway to Kaksar Village, National Highway to Lato Village and National Highway to Budgam-Majdass Village are the locations that stand to gain from this decision.
The official spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir government released a media statement highlighting the scope for trekking in the Kashmir and Ladakh regions – from short same day treks on mountain slopes to weeklong treks in the world’s greatest mountain range through various natural passes in its crest. Tourists arriving in Leh have been avoiding the Kargil region so far and this should change now.
Cross Himalayan routes used for trade and travel since ancient times, passing between the highest mountains, surrounded by the splendour of wild flora and fauna in their natural habitat, will now open up to trekkers and lovers of other adventure sports for all over the country.
