Mushkoh Valley Explained

Mushkoh Valley
Settlement Type:Hill station
Pushpin Map:India Ladakh#India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Ladakh, India
Coordinates:34.43°N 75.66°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:Union territory
Subdivision Name1:Ladakh
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Kargil
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Urdu, Shina language
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:194102

The Mushkoh Valley is a valley situated in Dras. Also known as valley of wild tulips, which are a major attraction for tourists but it's yet to explore. Located within the Indian-administered union territory of Ladakh. Widely considered to be glaciated and unsuitable for human habitation, it came into prominence during the Kargil War in 1999, when Pakistani forces crossed the Line of Control and took up positions in the region.[1] The Mushkoh Valley is situated at the westernmost extremity of Ladakh, to the west of which lies the northern reaches of the Kashmir Valley, located in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The valley is nestled within Dras—the second-coldest inhabited place in the world.[2] Dras, which is located approximately 141km (88miles) from Srinagar, is also called 'The Gateway to Ladakh'.[3]

The Mushkoh Valley is situated at an elevation of around 11000abbr=NaNabbr=, and is located just eight kilometres away from the main market in Dras.[4] It has a population settled in a highland village surrounded by the mountains and meadow on all sides. The village has a breathtaking landscape as Dras River also flows through it. From Mushkoh, one can also trek to Tilail in Gurez (Bandipore) in few days which passes through many meadows. The meadows are dotted with different varieties of flowers. The mountain slopes in the Mushkoh Valley are filled with flowers giving the village a breathtaking beauty. The villagers are mostly involved in farming and sheep rearing.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: What happened in Mushkoh Valley during Kargil war of 1999? . jkyouth.com . 3 January 2023 . JKYouth Newspaper . January 3, 2023 .
  2. News: This Indian region is world's second-coldest inhabited place. Watch how people live here . Hindustan Times . Hindustan Times . 5 November 2022 . en.
  3. Web site: Drass: A Scenic Gateway to Ladakh . India.com . Charu Chowdhary . en . 8 July 2019.
  4. Web site: Mushkoh Valley · CMQ8+2CV, Dras, 194102 . Mushkoh Valley, Google Maps . en.
  5. Web site: Schuh . Dieter . Drass . Tibet-Encyclopaedia . 2014 .