Bangus Valley

08.03.2025

Bangus Valley

Why in the news?                        

             The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday (March 6, 2025) announced a new set of rules for Bangus, a far-off tourist spot near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, in a bid to promote it as an ecotourism destination.

About Bangus Valley:

• Lying within the Trans-Himalayan area, Bangus is a unique ecological combination comprising a mountain biome, which includes a grassland biome with flora at lower altitudes; and Taiga or Coniferous forest.
• The valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. above sea level is in the northern part of district Kupwara within the Handwara sub District.
• Occupying an estimated area of 300 sq. km, the principal valley locally known as Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east-west axis.
• The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north.
• A smaller valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the main valley.
• Both the valleys have level green meadows surrounded by low-lying mountains covered with dense Coniferous forests (budloo) and a stream flowing through them.

Key facts about the Trans Himalayan Range:

• The Trans-Himalayas, also known as the Tibetan Himalayas, lie north of the Great Himalayan Range and extend approximately 1,600 km.
• Comprising major ranges like Zanskar, Ladakh, Kailash, and Karakoram, this region is characterized by arid plateaus, high-altitude passes, and cold deserts.
• It holds ecological significance and serves as a boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau

                                                                Source: The Hindu

Consider the following statement regarding to the Bangus Valley:

Statement-I:The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the south.

Statement-II:The valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. above sea level is in the northern part of district Kupwara within the Handwara sub District.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer D