Pujj Kabar in Handwara emerges as serene offbeat destination

Srinagar, Aug 7: In the lap of lush forests just around 09 kilometres from Handwara town in north Kashmir, Pujj Kabar has emerged as a serene offbeat destination, drawing hundreds of visitors daily who seek an escape from the bustle of life and the scorching plains of the valley.
With black-topped paths winding through thick green canopies, cool breezes brushing against pine trunks, this once-overlooked forest trail is now making waves as north Kashmir’s newest summer getaway.
“It feels untouched and pure, with no commercial crowding, just nature and peace,” said Saba Nazir, a student from Srinagar who recently visited with her family.
Sharing her experience Saba said, “We usually go to Gulmarg or Pahalgam, but this has its own unique charm. It’s a breath of fresh air.”
Managed by the Forest Department, the site is still in its developmental phase. Though visitors appreciate the natural ambience and smooth roads leading up to the spot, basic amenities like public toilets and proper sanitation facilities remain glaringly absent.
“There are no washrooms here, which becomes a problem especially for women and children,” said Firdous Ahmad, a visitor from Baramulla. “But despite that, the beauty makes you forget the inconvenience for a while at least.”
Locals, meanwhile, are finding ways to turn this tourist influx into a livelihood opportunity. Makeshift kiosks offer Kashmiri nun chai, locally-made pickles and the much-loved tujji (charcoal-grilled meat skewers).
“This spot has given us hope,” said Abdul Rehman, a local from a nearby village. “We earn a decent amount on weekends. Tourists come and we serve them fresh barbecue and tea. If the government supports us with basic facilities, it could become a full-time source of income for many here.”
While the Forest Department has not yet declared it a formal tourist site, it has maintained the green cover diligently. Signboards appealing to visitors to avoid littering dot the area, and plantation drives are conducted to preserve its charm.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Langate, Aihzaz Ahmad, said the department had initially proposed Pujj Kabar under Nagar Van, a Government of India policy aimed at creating recreational facilities for urban populations, at an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh.
“Unfortunately, that proposal did not go through. We had proposed two sites — Pujj Kabar and Poshnar Magam. The Poshnar one got the sanction, and we hope Pujj Kabar will also get approved in the coming days, though at present it’s just speculation,” he said.
Expressing optimism, Ahmad added, “We are confident that Pujj Kabar will eventually develop into an eco-tourism destination. We conduct awareness drives on sanitation and have even organised plantation campaigns to ensure cleanliness and a green environment.”
The DFO clarified that hawkers have not been given permission to set up permanent kiosks. “We have told them to mingle with nature and enjoy their livelihood as long as they maintain sanitation and hygiene. We do not wish to create hurdles for anyone’s income, but we must keep the ecological balance intact,” he said.
For now, much of the cleanliness is maintained by locals themselves. “We clean up every evening after the visitors leave,” said Shabir Ahmed, who sells homemade bread and kehwa. “We just request people not to litter the forest.”
Local administrative officials said plans are in the pipeline to enhance the area’s tourist infrastructure, but the timeline remains uncertain.