Kashmir is the paradise of tourists: Its scenic beauty and salubrious climate have given it the aptitude of a “Tourist’s Paradise”. With its lakes and mountains, its luxurious Chinars and tall slender poplars, delicious fruits ancient monuments, its placid rivers and murmuring streams swarming with Himalayan trout, and a host of innumerable natural attractions Kashmir,
Kashmir is one of the most attractive tourist resorts in the world: It is a veritable paradise on earth. Beautiful as her mountains are during the day time they appear all the more beautiful and glorious at sunrise and sunset.
The unexplored natural tourist resort Chatapal is full of natural charm but The inadequate eco-friendly infrastructure is keeping tourists away from the mesmerised scenic beauty of Chatapal which is 16 kilometres away from Shangus, Anantnag in south Kashmir. The geographic view of the area like the village of MANTIPORA CHITTERGUL POSHNARI THIMRAN are enveloped with green densely natural forests.
Chaatpal is one of the unexplored destinations Kashmir is blessed with. this is a perfect dream location. Endowed with lush green forests, lofty mountains, melodious springs bustling with milky white water gushing down the mountainous terrain and a fresh cold water river called Arpath and a fresh waterfall called Dupnood. In winter, the land is covered with a white blanket.
Unfortunately, inadequate infrastructure is keeping tourists away from the scenic beauty of Chatapal. The people are living their simple life in the mud houses but are warm-blooded for treating the visitors with open arms. The breathtaking locale is a perfect getaway to spend some memorable time in the lap of the forests of Chatapal. The true definition of ‘untouched natural beauty’ remains unclear until you step into the land of Chatapal.
The whole hamlet is bestowed with greenery and with a soft climate.
The place may be also called mini-Pahalgam but the lack of administrational efforts made Chatapal a place for cow dung. There is also a need for a tunnel that will connect Warvan and Pahalgam which will expense a very low cost and will become the hub of tourists as its beauty is magnetic in nature. Chatapal is surrounded by many fresh lakes; even once the government thought of making power projects but due to their lack of interest, the plan was abandoned. Just need to spend some money on its maintenance, to make it coloured.
The clear cool water, the gentle breezes, the genial sun-shine, the bubbling springs, the freshwater lakes and the snow-capped mountains of the area are very charming. While praising the beauty of Kashmir, a poet has aptly remarked: “The valley of Kashmir has different attractions for different people: It is a pleasure garden for lovers, a playground for sportsmen, an ideal health resort for the sick and a haven of rest and repose for the worried and weary souls.” To a poet, its enchanting sights and sounds are a source of joy and inspiration. Chatapal has another charm as a holiday resort: the choice of varied climate that its hills and meadows offer, there are several opportunities for games and sports.
The tourist trade is an important factor in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir: As many as four lakh tourists pay a visit to the valley every year. The major source of the economy in the valley is coming from the tourism sector, and if the government would only invest a little amount for the development of Chatapal, it will leave Pahalgam in count of tourists.
The author is a law student at the University of Kashmir and can be reached at [email protected]. He tweets at @shahidulislam_0

Shahid Ul Islam