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The
Suru Valley is formed by the catchments are of the Suru River, which
rises from the Panzella glacier. On its way to the confluence with the
Indus River at Nurla it is joined by numerous tributaries, including
the Dras River which flows into the Suru River at Kharul.
Suru Valley
forms the mainstay of Kargil district. Lying nestled along the
north-eastern foothills of the great Himalayan Wall, it extends from
Kargil town, first southward for a length of about 75 Kms Upto the
expanse around Panikhar, thence eastward for another stretch of nearly
65 kms upto the foot of the Penzila watershed where the Suru valley
rises. Its composite population of about 30,000 -- mainly of
Tibeti-Darad descent -- are Muslims who had converted their Buddhist
faith around the middle of the 16th century. The upper valley reaches
of the valley, particularly around the Sankoo bowl, the Panikhar
expense and the higher stretch beyond, present a spectacle of
breathtaking features-majestic mountain ramparts crowned by snow
capped peaks, undulating alpine slopes draining into wild mountain
streams of foaming cascades of pristine water, awesome glaciers
descending along the Himalayan slopes to the river bed in riverine
formation, Quaint villages of adobe houses straggling dry hillocks
surrounded by large tracts of lush crops downward the patches of
alpine pastures uphill. The beauty of this region is further enhanced
by the sheer contrast provided by the towering peaks of Kun (7035 m)
and Nun (7135 m) which loom over the skyline in their crystalline
majesty.
The general
topography is as rugged and mountainous as most of Ladakh. However,
the Suru Valley is relatively more fertile. It extends from the
Panzella glacier to south of Kargil town, where the Suru River merges
with the Botkul River rising from the Botkul glacier.
The
average elevation of the Suru valley is 3,000 m. Winters are very
severe and heavy and frequent snowfalls occur, though the Suru Valley
does not become as inhospitable as the Dras Valley. The cold season
begins around mid-November and usually continues till May. During this
period, most of the valley discovered with a thick layer of snow.
As
the snow melts, the water becomes muddy, often attaining darkish hue
which is quite a contrast with its normal bluish-green shade. The
color becomes normal in early September when the melting of the snow
in the uplands slows down considerably. The summer season begins in
May and it becomes warm fairly quickly. Vegetation growth picks up
rapidly. The summer season lasts relatively longer than in other parts
of Ladakh.
Agriculture
is the main source of livelihood for the people of this valley. In
many parts of the Suru Valley, two crops can be harvested each year
whereas in many parts of Ladakh raising even one crop a year may not
always be possible when summer starts late or there is early snowfall.
The
main crops raised by the people of Suru Valley are wheat, barley and
millets. Improved varieties of wheat have recently been introduced.
This has helped to increase the production of cereals. Some of the
vegetables grown here are turnip, radish, peas and black peas. Grapes,
apricots and melons are produced in fairly large quantities at Darchik
and Garkoon along the lower course of the Indus through Ladakh. These
find a ready market in Kargil. Liquor is made from grapes
How to reach ?
Sankoo, Panikhar and Parachik are connected with Kargil with regular
bus services, in summer even twice a day. A bus ride from Kargil takes
2 hours to Sankoo, 3 hours to Panikhar and about 4 hours to Parkachik.
Rangdum is serviced by the BI-week bus service to Padum, which
increases according to demand. Some trucks plying between Kargil and
Padum also offers a lift in the cabin for the price of a bus seat.
Cars and jeeps taxis can be hired from Kargil for visiting different
places in the Suru Valley, including Rangdum and Penzila.
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