Naltar Valley
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Naltar Valley
وادی نلتر | |
|---|---|
    Top left to right: A bridge in Naltar Valley, Grazing yalks in Naltar Valley, Naltar Lakes, Naltar ski resort | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Adm. Unit | Gilgit−Baltistan |
| District | Gilgit District |
| Tehsil | Gilgit Tehsil |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (PKT) |
The Naltar Valley (Template:Lang-ur) is a valley situated about 34 kilometres (21 miles) from the city of Gilgit in Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan.[1] It is a forested region known for its dramatic mountain scenery and for its three lakes: Strangi Lake, Blue Lake, and Bodlok Lake. Ski competitions are held at Naltar ski resort.
Geography
The Naltar Valley is a valley situated near the city of Gilgit in Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan. Naltar is about 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Gilgit.[2][3] Naltar Bala (upper) and Naltar Paain (lower) are two villages of Naltar valley. Naltar Paain is at a distance of 34 kilometres (21 miles) and Naltar Bala at 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Gilgit. Naltar Expressway connects Naltar with Gilgit City via Nomal and Faizabad. There is a town known as Nomal between Naltar valley and Gilgit. A road from Nomal goes to 'The Silk Route' to China.[4]
Naltar Hydropower Projects (I, II, IV)
The government has constructed an 18 MW hydropower plant, Naltar Hydropower Plant-IV, which is operational since October 2007, near Naltar Pine, in addition to three smaller hydropower generating plants (Naltar I, II, IV of 3.02 MW combined) already there, to fulfill the power requirement of the area as well as Gilgit. As of 2019 Naltar-III and Naltar-V Hydropower Projects of 16 MW and 14 MW generation capacity respectively were under construction.[5]
Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the valley that was established on 22 November 1975.[6]
The sanctuary is forested, there being a greatly comfortable growth of mixed montane, broadleaf and coniferous forests at lower altitudes and montane coniferous forest higher up. Coniferous species that are present include Picea and Juniperus. The trees present include Fraxinus, Olea, Pistacia, Sageretia, Betula, Salix, Populus and Krascheninnikovia ceratoides. Some herbs that grow in the region are Artemisia, Haloxylon and Stipa.
A few number of Astor markhor and an endangered species of wild goat lives in the reserve. Other large mammals present include the Alpine ibex, snow leopard, brown bear, grey wolf, red fox, beech marten and leopard cat. Almost 35 species of birds have been recorded in the valley, including Brooks's leaf warbler.[2]
Naltar Lakes
There are five Naltar Lakes[7] lakes in the Naltar valley, known as Satrangi Lake, Halima Lake, Bodo Lake, Dhudia Lake, Pari Lake, and Blue Lake, at a distance of 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Naltar Bala. The road from the village to the lakes is nonmetallic and narrow alongside a stream throughout this road coming from the mountains. It is almost impossible to reach the lake through any vehicle in winter due to the snow (10 to 15 feet high) on the road.[8]
Tourism facilities
The valley offers a variety of flora, fauna as well as natural scenery. There is a natural green garden known as "Halima garden".[9] The government has established some rest houses in the valley. GBPWD Resthouse is the oldest rest house in the valley. FCNA, GB Scouts & PAF had their own rest houses to serve the purpose. There are also several private accommodation facilities and hotels in the valley. Ski competitions are held at Naltar ski resort.
Notable people
- Muhammad Abbas - Participant of Vancouver Olympic
- Amina Wali- South Asian Winter Games Silver medalist
- Ifrah Wali - South Asian Winter Games gold medalist
See also
References
- ^ "Lakes, mountains and pines | Footloose". The News International.
- ^ a b "Naltar Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan". sco.gov.pk. Special Communications Organization. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ "Naltar Valley". www.ali.net.pk. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Silk Road: Gilgit Valley-IV - Omer Qayyum and Amna Javed - Youlin Magazine". youlinmagazine.com. Youlin Magazine. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "Hydropower Resources in Gilgit-Baltistan". Hydro Power Resources of Pakistan (PDF). Private Power and Infrastructure Board. February 2011. pp. 63, 66, 71–73. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ^ Green, Michael John Beverley (1990). IUCN Directory of South Asian Protected Areas. IUCN. p. 159. ISBN 978-2-8317-0030-4.
- ^ "Naltar Lakes". The Traveloguers. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "Naltar Lakes". www.travelinpakistan.com. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Naltar Valley: A place abundant with nature". Tripako. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
External links