VARUN KHAJURIA
Dudu Valley in Udhampur district lies amidst the lush green vibrant coniferous forest intermingled with broad leaved trees, shrubs, herbs, climber with multihued variety of other flora. The valley lies around 171 kms from Jammu city itself. The break up journey through local buses, hired/ owned vehicles is from Jammu to Chenani (100 kms), Chenani to Man-talai(50 kms) through various hamlets viz Basti, Bast, Gauri kund, Sudhmahadev (where 2800 years old lord Shivas temple) exists. At Sudhma Dev An annual Shiv mela is religiously celebrated where pilgrim across the country assemble in the form of a pilgrimage in the first week of June every year.
The journey onwards passes through Mantali (12 kms) prominently famous as a beautiful spot amidst deodar, kail and chir forest. Here, late Dharendra Bhramchari raised beautiful structures for yoga center of international fame apart from petrol pump, gaushalla, mini zoo, rosary, and a swimming pool. But unfortunately with the passing away of Yog guru for back around 90s’s in a helicopter crash while landing under a dense fall. All his further ambitious planning stood at standstill. It is painful to add over here that many writers have of repeatedly emphasized about the hefty invested money on yoga ashram together with allied developments to warrant their up keep, preservation and further enhancement to restore the beauty of the spot by bringing it under Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) but nothing concrete has so far been materialized.
The writer was posted as a Forest Officer (Headquarter Chenani) had occasionally deliberations with yog guru who used to tell that he had taken up the issue with Hilton Group Of Hotels for the further development of this picturesque spot but unfortunately no head way could be made. (For the visual illustration the photographs of the time) are within this write up.
It would be incomplete to make a mention about the legendary multi starrer movie “Jani Dushman” by R K Kohli, most part of the movie was shot at Chenani and its mesmerizing spots of this area. Dharendra Bharmchari was forest conscious and as requested, he raised a nursery with around one lakh seedling in poly parts which were afterwards were planted out in the vicinity of the area. Apart from that he was a socially very affectionate as he provided employment to the locals of the area who still remember him whole heartedly.
Now, onwards from Mantalai the road winds through various hamlets viz Bap, Srara, Marothi, Koi, Latti, Dhoona, Jakhed and finally Dudu valley. However this road has further extension to seri the main base camping point. And uphill there is suez dhar and further trekking the suez dhar is hazardous. Sauz Dhar forms the northern aspect of the dudu valley.
It will be most interesting and enchanting to make a mention that while the writer with his staff was conducting markings in the dudu valley on the southern aspect, the most of the time stayed at chari forest rest house. It was to my astonishment while viewing northern aspect of the dudu valley where there were twinkling’s like glow worms. And on enquiry from the locals, I came to know that there is a vast potential of multi medicinal herbs. Also they told that one can conveniently trek from base camp chari during the day. But with the sunset, the herbs emit fragrance which makes one drowsy and it becomes cumbersome to cross the area.
The top of the Sauz Dhar is just like a small plateau and on the other side there are lush green forests of deodar, kail, coniferous and spruce with broad leaved trees such as maple, rhododendron. And descending down one lands in charming Chenab Valley. So , desencending down from the top of Sauz Dhar means to land into Bhadharwah Valley which is still more thrilling and enchanting. One is though indeed lucky to have a view of the valley to have a closer look of the natural bounty.
Concluding, therefore, it is prudent to mention here that nature has all along been worshipped across the globe for its timelessness. The mesmerizing meadows and mountains make for a great home. Everyone experiences richness of nature and all its bounty at least ones in lifetime. Light amongst stars and the open sky, the green grass and towering trees that give us shade, a lake are snow caped mountain all make breath taking moments of feeling of being one with nature.
And William Blake says trees which move some to tears of Joy is in the eyes of others, only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature in all ridicule and deformity and small scares see at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imaginative itself.
Let we, there, spend time with nature, accepting the diversity and brilliance of what is really a gift to mankind. Let us learn to revere and preserve nature at all costs and at all times.