Sonmarg
Sonmarg, at an altitude of 3,000 metres above sea level is 87 km north-east of Srinagar. The drive to Sonmargh is though yet another spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, this time in Sindh Valley. The Sindh Valley is the largest tributary of the valley of Kashmir. It is upwards of sixty miles long and valley and deep rock-girt gorge to open grassy meadow land and village-dotted slopes.

Sonmarg, which means ‘meadow of gold’, has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months.

The climate of Sonmarg is very bracing; but the rainfall is frequent though not heavy, except for two or three days at a time in July and August with fine spell in between.
From Sonmarg, trekking routes lead to the Himalayan lakes of Vishansar (4084 mts), Krishnasar (3810 mts) and Gangabal (3658 mts). Other lakes in the region are Gadsar, stocked with snow trout and Satsar, glacier-fed and surrounded by banks of alpine flowers.

A close by excursion is to Baltal, 15 km north of Sonmarg. This little valley lies at the foot of the Zojila, only a day's journey away from the sacred cave of Amarnath. Trekkers can also reach the starkly splendid roof-top of the world – Leh, by crossing over the Zijila Pass

Nature Impressions of Dal Lake

Dal Lake much visited and less understood provides us with classic example of how little we appreciate the good things provided to us by Nature. This once pure lake could turn into a polluted pond, if we unthinkingly allow soil erosion and untreated effluents to damage it. Thousands of residents of Srinagar and millions of tourists are dependent upon the lake either for livelihood or for enjoyment. The lake of course is popular for its Houseboats, Shikaras and promenades and it is undoubtedly a bird watchers paradise.

Slowly as the Shikara passes through the channels in Srinagar the houseboats pass by which are handled by even the children with great dexterity. The birds in this lake are very approachable. The kingfishers sit on the tops of houseboats nonchalantly almost within the touching distance of humans who seem to be equally unmindful of the birds. The kingfishers apparently use walls,

steps and piles as fixed perches from which they directly dive into water to catch little fish. In Europe these birds are very elusive but in the happy valley of Kashmir they fear no danger from humans. Man and Nature seem to exist happily together in the Valley. Sitting on low boats i.e. Shikaras we can maneuver close to waders, raptors and divers.

While gliding on Shikara we can often observe white breasted Kingfishers (Halycon smyrnensis), large striking birds with robust bills perched on the branches of willow trees. These birds concentrate their efforts to hunting on the floating Gardens. These man made islands comprise of reeds, willow rods, aquatic vegetations and held together with humus consisting of mud from the lake bottom. This is extremely fertile and provide rich source of food in the form of frogs, lizards, mice, grasshoppers and other insects to the Kingfisher.

Now as we move further to the calm waters of Anchar Lake we are in a totally different world, there is no crowd of boats, no motor boat engines to be heard and the mood is different altogether. Just a few meters ahead there is a little bittern unmindful of the boat traffics. It stands motionless in the reeds waiting for frogs and other insects for its feed like a heron. This is a very shy bird and will vanish at the slightest difference. However it is accustomed to moving water traffic and is not bothered by it. However, if a boat stops it gets alarmed.

There are open lotus flowers around which the bees are humming collecting honey. Wagtails active and eager can be seen dashing from leaf to leaf sometimes leaping into air to catch that elusive creature for its morsel. The dipping motion of their long tails and their undulating flight is fascinating to watch. Kingfishers keep on diving into the lake and emerge successful sometimes dripping with droplets with little fish in their beak.

A small swimming bird much smaller than a duck is also seen and is known as grebe (podipus ruficollis). It dips at one place and emerges some meters away. The little grebe is fairly common in the vale.

Common Pariah Kites (Milvus Migrans) are frequently seen soaring above the area. Near the Dal they perch on pillars looking for dead fish and other rubbish. They are scavenger birds and help clean the area.

It is not necessary to have any special knowledge or equipment to enjoy bird watching in and around the Dal Lake. An ordinary ride on a Shikara can provide an observant mind with wonderful insights into the bird behaviour. All that is needed is love of nature, keen-eye lots of patience and appreciation.