Bagrote Valley's Virgin Charms
Bagrote valley’s virgin charms (Published in DAWN dated July 11, 2010) By S yed Shamsuddin The picturesque Bagrote valley has retained its natural scenic beauty even in these times of change. Barely 40 kilometers from Gilgit, it is sandwiched between Bilchar Dobani and the awesome serenity of the Rakaposhi. The Diran peak looks on from the snow-covered sierras that surround it and the rugged grandeur of glaciers like Barche, Gargooh, Yuneh, Rakaposhi and Dodoormal. It is A glacier terrain from which a host of streams and rivulets flow converging near Chirah-Khama glaciers giving the visual prospect a kaleidoscopic character. Winters here offer another spectacular panorama when all the water courses get frozen except the Bagrote nullah gushing forth from Chira-Khama glaciers. But it also shrinks somewhat, its turbulent flow of summer days now calm and quiet. The onset of winter wraps everything in a white sheet and the place becomes unrecognizable from...