Lakeside Bangladesh in Kashmir awaits tourists, amenities

Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 27-12-2021

Locals out on fishing in Wular Lake

Mansooruddin Faridi/Srinagar

We all know Bangladesh as a country. However, in Kashmir, there is a village by that name. The Valley’s Bangladesh village is located in Aloosa tehsil of Bandipora, North Kashmir about 70 km from the capital Srinagar. Bangladesh is located on the banks of the picturesque Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Asia. It’s thus situated amidst magnificent hills and overlooks a grandiose lake, commanding a beautiful and captivating view.

How did this village, so far off from Bangladesh, get its name? This village has a connection to the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.

Talking to Awaz-the VoiceAbdul Haleek Butt, Sarpanch of Jorimens, said that there was a war between India and Pakistan in 1971, in which Bangladesh became independent.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the village. Many houses got burnt to ashes, leaving the villagers homeless. After the incident, many people rebuilt their houses on the nearby vacant land and settled there.

Residents of Bangladesh are dependent on Wular lake for livelihood

People generally thought of carrying on the name of their original village, yet an elderly villager suggested naming the village Bangladesh. All agreed and thus village Bangladesh came into existence. He said at present more than 150 families live in the village. The village is also named Bangladesh on official documents, on the certificates of students studying in schools and colleges.

Butt said the village had come into existence with only five houses. Today about 45 families live there.

The most beautiful, charming, and beautiful Bangladesh village is situated at the foothills of the centuries-old 'Zainangir Canal' and Lake Wular. The natural environment and view of this village still await the attention of the tourists.

Ghulam Hassan, the head of the village told Awaz-The Voice that since the village is rich in natural beauty, all the four seasons offer an enchanting view of Nature. The village is surrounded by lush green mountains; its climate is very nice.

Situated in the lap of beautiful mountains, Lake Wular adds to the beauty of the village. People from different parts of Kashmir as well as from other states of the country come to see this village, but their number is very less. There is no arrangement for tourists ‘ lodging and boarding.

The most beautiful, charming, and beautiful Bangladeshi village is situated at the foothills of the centuries-old 'Jangir Canal' and Lake Waller. The real natural environment and view of this village invite tourists in all four seasons of the year, but unfortunately, these anonymous villages are still hidden from the sight of tourists.

Mesmerising view from village Bangladesh

Ghulam Hassan, the head of the village told Awaaz-The Voice that since the village is rich in natural beauty, every part of its natural beauty is such that every person passing through it is attracted towards it, but unfortunately due to the carelessness of the administration. From the point of view of tourism, this village has completely disappeared from the eyes of the people. The village is surrounded by lush green mountains. The climate is very nice.

However, the authorities haven’t done anything to put this village on the tourists’ map nor have facilities for their stay been developed in the village.

Umar Ahmed of Pampore in Pulwama, who works with an NGO, happened to visit the village

He told Awaz-the Voice that even within Kashmir there are places with unmatched beauty and such places are hidden from the eyes of the tourists. One of them is village Bangladesh.

There is no arrangement for tourism in this village. He said, “When I heard that there is a village named Bangladesh in Kashmir, I was shocked and immediately decided to go there. I went there with my friends. At first, I was very happy and very curious to see this village. I felt so sad to see the situation there. The villagers don’t have even basic facilities.

The Lake and the Mountains: a view from bangladesh village in Kashmir

“The road is in a dilapidated condition; it has deep potholes. There is no signboard informing people about this village. I had to ask many people for directions. Even for a Kashmiri living in Srinagar or other cities, the village is a perfect getaway for the weekend. For that the Transport facilities, hotels, and food systems should be improved,” Umer said.

The village is home to more than 300 people. People are completely dependent on Lake Wular. Their main source of livelihood is fishing and selling food products from the lake. They work day and night to get fish and shellfish from the lake to eke out a living.

Abdul Khaliq Butt said that the village lacks proper roads, electricity, medical facilities, and public facilities. This village is located just 30 km away from the district headquarter, but the people here are deprived of even the basic facilities of life.