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Aharbal Waterfall
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Aharbal
Aharbal
Hill station
	Aharabal Falls
	Aharbal Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India Aharbal Aharbal (India)
	Coordinates: 33°38′45.4560″N 74°46′50.4696″E / 33.645960000°N 74.780686000°E
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Kulgam
Government
• Type	Democracy
Elevation	2,266 m (7,434 ft)
Languages
• Official	Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)

Aharbal is a hill station in the south-western part of Kashmir Valley in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, south of the summer capital of Srinagar (Sub district: Damhal Hanjipora, District: Kulgam). Aharbal Waterfall is also known as Niagara Waterfall of Kashmir.^[3]

Geography

Aharbal lies in the Kulgam district's Noorabad area^[4] of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the Veshu River, a tributary of the Jehlum River, in an alpine valley covered in pine and fir trees within the Pir Panjal mountains. It lies at an altitude of 2266 metres above sea level.

The road route is from Srinagar-Kulgam-Nehama-KB Pora-Aharbal Road.

Aharbal Fall

Aharbal is known for its waterfall, Aharbal Falls, where the Veshu falls noisily 25 metres and 7 metres through a narrow gorge of granite boulders. Aharbal Falls are also referred to as the Niagara Falls of Kashmir, owing to the volume of the water that falls. According to a report,^[specify] the water volume would be sufficient to generate 100 MW of hydroelectricity. The terraces leading to the falls are fenced, but care must be taken to avoid slipping.^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]

More About Aharbal

- Aharbal Waterfall is situated in the southwestern part of Kashmir, known for its breathtaking landscapes. - The waterfall is fed by the Veshaw River, which originates from the surrounding mountains. - The cascading water creates a mesmerizing display as it falls over the rocky terrain, forming a series of smaller falls. - Surrounded by dense forests, Aharbal offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal retreat for nature lovers. - The region around Aharbal is a great trekking destination, providing opportunities for adventure and exploration. - Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from various vantage points near the waterfall. - Aharbal is not only a popular tourist attraction but also holds cultural significance, with locals often visiting the site for picnics and outings. - The journey to Aharbal involves navigating through picturesque landscapes, adding to the overall experience of the visit. - The region experiences different seasons, and each season brings its unique charm, from lush greenery in summer to snow-covered landscapes in winter. - Aharbal Waterfall is a hidden gem, away from the bustling crowds, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking a connection with nature.

Aharbal Development Authority

The Aharbal Development Authority, a government agency responsible for development in Aharbal, has built tourist infrastructure including huts and a cafeteria, and other lodging and boarding facilities have also been made available. But still development issues are at the hill station like parks are not maintained properly, there is no amusement park like Lidder Amusement Park, littering, proper roads and parking issues. The area is peaceful and the crime rate is very low.^[9]

Oldest Fossil Site in J&K

The exact site which is barely 2 km from the famous Aharbal waterfall along the Kunghwatan route, experts believe that the site which is rich in fossil biodiversity and replete with dense fossil samples at specific locations can be as old as 488 to 354 million years. However, the exact date can be ascertained only after radiocarbon dating. Preliminary investigation it was revealed that the fossils fall between the Ordovician and Devonian period. “The different organisms of that period include bryozoans (colonial animals); gastropods, trilobites, ancestors of C scorpions, and ancient relatives of snails etc”. This recently ‘discovered’ fossil site at famous tourist destination Aharbal has been secured by the department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.^[10]

Access

Aharbal falls in Noorabad sub division of District Kulgam and is easily accessible from Srinagar via Shopian [Bab-ul-Islam], only 8 km from the Mughal Road that connects Srinagar and Poonch. The 75 km drive takes less than 3 hours by car or bus via Pulwama and Shopian. An alternate route leads to Aharbal via Kulgam-Nehama-DH pora -Kb pora -Manzgam-Wattoo-Aharabal. It is only 22 km from the District Kulgam the first District one enters the Kashmir valley after crossing the Jawaharlal National Tunnel. The nearest railway station is Anantnag railway station at 44 km in the east.^[11]^[12]

References

^ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
^ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
^ "Hill stations in Kashmir". hillstations. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
^ "Aharbal in district Kulgam" (pdf). Retrieved 20 June 2013.^{[dead link‍]}
^ Allan Stacey (1988). Visiting Kashmir. Hippocrene Books, 1988. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-87052-568-1. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
^ "Niagara falls of Kashmir". greaterkashmir. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
^ "Tourist spots JK Tourism". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
^ "Girl jumps into Aharabal Falls". kashmirimages.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
^ Dr. Shiv Sharma (2008). India: A Travel Guide. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 199–. ISBN 978-812840067-4. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
^ GUL, KHALID. "Authorities secure newly discovered Aharbal fossil site". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
^ "Aharbal Waterfalls". indiatourisminfo.net. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
^ M.S. Kohli (1983). Himalayas: Playground of the Gods -Trekking, Climbing and Adventure. Indus Publishing. pp. 40–42–. ISBN 978-817387107-8. Retrieved 27 November 2012.