The Mushkoh Valley is a
valley
A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams ove ...
situated in
Dras. Also known as valley of wild tulips, which are a major attraction for tourists but it's yet to explore. Located within the
Indian
Indian or Indians may refer to:
Peoples South Asia
* Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor
** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country
* South Asia ...
-administered
union territory of
Ladakh
Ladakh () is a region administered by India as a union territory which constitutes a part of the larger Kashmir region and has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and China since 1947. (subscription required) Quote: "Jammu ...
. Widely considered to be
glaciated
A glacier (; ) is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. A glacier forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. It acquires distinguishing features, such as ...
and unsuitable for human habitation, it came into prominence during the
Kargil War
The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LoC). In India, the conflict is also referr ...
in 1999, when
Pakistani forces crossed the
Line of Control and took up positions in the region. The Mushkoh Valley is situated at the westernmost extremity of Ladakh, to the west of which lies the northern reaches of the
Kashmir Valley, located in the Indian-administered union territory of
Jammu and Kashmir.
The valley is nestled within Dras—the second-coldest inhabited place in the world. Dras, which is located approximately from
Srinagar, is also called 'The Gateway to Ladakh'.
The Mushkoh Valley is situated at an elevation of around , and is located just eight kilometres away from the main market in Dras. It has a population settled in a highland village surrounded by the mountains and meadow on all sides. The village has a breathtaking landscape as
Dras River
The Dras River, also spelt Drass River, is a river in the Kargil district in the Indian union territory of Ladakh. It originates below the Zoji La pas in the Great Himalayan range and flows northeast towards Kargil, where it joins the Suru Ri ...
also flows through it. From Mushkoh, one can also trek to Tilail in
Gurez
Gurez, or Gurais (''Guráai'' in the local Shina language), is a valley located in the high Himalayas, about from Bandipore and from Srinagar, to the north of the Kashmir valley. At about above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow-cap ...
(
Bandipore) in few days which passes through many meadows. The meadows are dotted with different varieties of flowers. The mountain slopes in the Mushkoh Valley are filled with flowers giving the village a breathtaking beauty. The villagers are mostly involved in farming and sheep rearing.
References
Kargil War
Valleys of Ladakh
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