Let's discover the beauty of Azad Kashmir which consists of Serene places like valleys, mountains and rivers. Let's learn about its political complexities and historical worth in the Kashmir clash.
Introduction
Azad Kashmir is a region of south Asia surrounding Pakistan and remains under dispute to this day, this region is found on the northernmost region of the Pakistan and is famous for natural beauty as well as the political instability.Rich in beautiful hills, valleys, mountains, rivers, Azad Kashmir is a most attractive place for tourists.
However, beyond its amazing beauty of this region continue to be strongly affected by the Kashmir dispute, which successfully spread the political and, often, the personal realities of these places.
In this article, the author will look at the charming beauty of the region, its political scenario, and the disagreement behind the Kashmir dispute and whether it can be helpful in explaining why, Azad Kashmir still continues to be a region of an attraction and concerns.
The natural attractions in the region of Azad Kashmir
1. Magnificent and Massive Mountains and Vast Valleys
The pleasing region of Azad Kashmir is also known as a “paradise on earth”. The area is regarded as one of the most beautiful mountainous areas of South Asia although it is imperfect information as some of the regions of the Pir Panjal variety and parts of the Himalayas are located within the state.
These twin towering mountain ranges are white throughout the winter season and are ideal for visitors.One of the most admired places of this region is a Neelum Valley which is known by its green hills, clear rivers and pleasing landscape.
Tourism is usually linked with the valley for hiking, fishing, and viewing impressive scenes. Rawalakot another beautiful place is known as pearl valley due to its natural beauty .It particularly attracts people who want to be free from the typical charge connected with city life.
2. Rich Biodiversity
Of course, various and abundant plant and animal life can also be found in Azad Kashmir; it’s all rather surprising. It is also brilliant with different types of plant, animal and bird order.
Some of the wild animals that live in the region include but are incomplete to; Himalayan brown bears and snow leopards especially in the upper rocky terrains. Azad Kashmir also has a number of wandering birds and is a favourite amongst bird watchers in the region.
The landscape of this area covers all climatic hard land categories the likes of; the mountain, the valley, the woodland, the sub- tropical, the riparian and the semi-arid which makes it one of the best places to be toured under the environmental protection concern. Tourists can go for camping, mountain climbing as well as Wildlife photogenic tourism as they travel around the natural beauty of the region.
The Political Scenario of Azad Kashmir
1. The Kashmir Conflict
However important for its pouring beauty, it is the politically unstable. Region is controversial part of so called Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan, which dates back to the divisions of British India in 1947.
It is under the control of Pakistan but the whole Kashmir is considered to be under the control of both India and Pakistan there have been conflicts, wars and political disorder over this region for many years.
The region is on the border of the Line of Control (LoC), which separates Indian-administered part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan controlled Azad Kashmir.
This line is fully controlled by military forces and there are sometimes firing incidents between military of both sides. Political framework influences people’s lives surrounded by the Azad Kashmir region directly as each occupant experiences the everyday living in the borderline area.
2. The Role of Pakistan
Azad Kashmir enjoys some measure of independence but has appealing lesser control over its political and security contact to Pakistan. The area is politically administered by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government for those uninformed. However, the political center of the country is Rawalpindi and Pakistan’s capital city, while Islamabad holds relevant tasks in protection and foreign policy as well as in other spheres. This has contributed to the politicization of the region’s politics because most local matters are associated with wider national issues.
For the people in Azad Kashmir, political imperatives refers to the ever growing circumstances they suffer not only from the conflict in the outside world but from within the territory of politics of self-sufficiency and supremacy.
Tourism and Economy: Challenges.
Tourism is one of the most vital sectors in Azad Kashmir. The area’s landscape is one of the features that make many people come to visit from within the same country and other parts of the world. Neelum Valley and Bagh are popular for mostly for their charming beauty and exploratory activities.
It is also gifted with natural and man made attraction sites including the Ratti Gali lake which is a glacial lake prominent on high hills Mountain.
But like any other naturally exceptional place, Azad Kashmir has its economic problems. Transportation networks especially rural ones are still under developed and insecurity may at times keep certain tourists away.
But thanks to the recent development of connectivity to roadside destinations, the opportunities in the sustainable/African kind of tourism are huge. But if the region can defeat these barriers it can realize incredible economic development lead by tourism.
FAQs About Azad Kashmir
1. What is the present political affiliation of Azad Kashmir?
Azad Kashmir is an almost completely independent region and is a component of Pakistan. It is a part of the previous wider conflict of both sides of the border, over the land of Kashmir. This area has a form of self governance.
2. Is Azad Kashmir safe for tourists?
Over all, Azad Kashmir is relatively safe for tourists, more specifically the tourist zones like Neelum Valley and Rawalakot. On the other hand, one should not go near the Line of Control (LoC) because of tensions and armed activities in the area.
3. Which attractions are crucial for a tourist who decided to visit Azad Kashmir?
Some of the famous places for tourism are Neelum Valley, Ratti Gali Lake, Rawalakot and Toli Pir destinations. They are popular for their landscapes and flora and fauna plus they offer outlook for various physical activities.
4. What role does the Kashmir conflict has for Azad Kashmir?
This conflict play role in politics and security of Azad Kashmir. The region has not lost its focus of conflict of the broader clash between India and Pakistan that has constantly impacted on people’s lives and the polity of the area.
5. How do people in Azad Kashmir support themselves mainly?
Azad Kashmir has farming economy and important agricultural construct includes wheat and apple. Tourism also interfere as an activity, however constrains for example infrastructural and security block the impact of tourism.
Conclusion
Azad Kashmir is geographically a very beautiful place and politically very insightful. Famous for towering mountains, fresh valleys, and rare species, it’s a great alternative for the desire to travel and lovers of the satisfying. However, the political problems linked with the Kashmir overwhelmed the region.
It stays as the pleasing and touchy area still. Still, the people of Azad Kashmir remain truthful, and one has to confess that the extent of tourism in the area is competent of changing the state of economy for the better.
