Sankoo: Gulmargh of Ladakh

Sankoo is one of the tourist resorts in district Kargil, which is popularly known as the Gulmargh of Kargil. There is no doubt that the valley has everything for the people who are in quest of pleasure and cheerfulness.  It is so beautiful that one can hardly resist seeing it again and again. Many places in and around here are either having religious significance or are tourist attractions. Sankoo is about 40 kms away from its main city Kargil. Some of religious significance or tourist attractions places are as karchykhar chamba, cool springs, Batakhar and so many other tourist recreation places.

karpokhar shrine is really glorious among these. This shrine is dedicated to Sayed Mir Hashim, who was a Muslim scholar and saint. He was called to give lessons of Islam to a Buddhist ruler, Thi-Namgyal. In 16th century, Thi-Namgyal changed his religion to Islam. Tourists visit Karpo-Khar Shrine to offer prayers and religious ceremonies.

Sankoo is a place bound with greenery and has a variety of flora and fauna, different coloured of flowers which blossom mainly during the summers. On reaching Sankoo one can have immediate look toward the engulfed mountain valley full of green land, meadows on all sides. One feels overwhelmed on seeing the exciting view of this snow clad mountain valley. On the other hand one also witness the fresh and tidy air, clean spring water streams running through it, which also add to the beauty of this valley. Now with change in environment or due to movement of tectonic place these natural springs are constantly depleting. Its count is less as compare to its earlier count.  

The place is so attractive that even after spending days together here, you are never tired. It’s the one of the most picturesque, astonishing and a must visit place in Ladakh.  Every people can be seen clicking photography because of its natural beauty and posses the quality of wild, landscape and portrait photography.

 Each has charm of its own. Similarly Batakhar is another great historic monument in Sankoo area, which has also a big worthy history behind it. The local as well as the administration failed to preserve this great monument. This is located near Batacho glacier, which is one among the grand water source for the whole valley.  

All the locals utilize this water for domestic and agriculture purpose, except for drinking and cooking. Especially every farmer does good use of this superior water source, which brings the alluvial soil from high mountains which is very fertile and best for agriculture purpose.  The glacier at this place was large a decade back as compared to what it looks now. There are many more aspects which needed to be elaborated and discussed.

In brief it becomes our fundamental and primary duty to protect like these sources of water. Our administration has to look for prolong project to protect this great natural water sources because that day may not be far off when these glaciers will remain only as night mare. So its needs of the hour for public as well the concerned authority to take some advance step in order to protect these natural water sources, which are very important.

Abdul Hussain Muntazree

R/o Chumikchan Sankoo