3 min readSrinagarUpdated: Jan 4, 2026 08:08 AM IST
The move comes days after the administration in North Kashmir imposed a similar ban on trekking in the Danwass forests of Tangmarg, near the Gulmarg tourist resort. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)
Trekking in Margan Top, Chuharnag, and Sinthan Top — popular high-altitude forest areas in the Pir Panjal mountains — has been prohibited for two months by the South Kashmir administration due to “public safety and security concerns”.
The move comes days after the administration in North Kashmir imposed a similar ban on trekking in the Danwass forests of Tangmarg, near the Gulmarg tourist resort.
While the orders state that trekking, camping and hiking is “likely to adversely affect public safety and security, sources said the prohibition was prompted by a major anti-militancy operation launched by the Army on both sides of the Pir Panjal mountains that connect the Kashmir Valley to Poonch and Rajouri on one side and Kishtwar and Doda on the other.
Highly trained and battle-hardened militants from Pakistan are believed to be operating in these dense and high altitude forests for the last few years.
“Trekking, camping, hiking and all similar outdoor activities are hereby prohibited in the areas of Margan Top, Chuharnag and Sinthan Top, with immediate effect,” said an order issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Kokernag, Prince Kumar.
It added that “inputs have been received from the police and security agencies regarding security concerns” in certain high-altitude and forested areas.
Margan Top, a high-altitude pass at over 12,000 feet, connects South Kashmir to the Warwan Valley of Kishtwar. In the 1990s, the area was a stronghold of Pakistani militants.
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The Sinthan Top, at an altitude of 12,000 feet, connects South Kashmir’s Anantnag with Chatroo area of Kishtwar. Over the last two years, several gunfights erupted between militants and security forces in the Chatroo forests.
Chuharnag is a cluster of four high-altitude lakes at 14,000-15,000 feet and is often visited by trekkers.
Sources said the offensive against militants was timed strategically as most exit routes leading across the border are closed now because of winter.
“The operation has been launched on both sides of the Pir Panjal mountains. A large contingent of the Army is involved… and exit routes on both sides have been plugged,” said a senior police officer. “Army units will scan through the dense forests to trace any terrorist hiding there.”
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Sources said trekking has also been banned to prevent any loss of life because of “possible mistaken identity” and to “maintain secrecy of the operation”.
The administration earlier banned trekking in the Danwass forest area. Part of the Pir Panjal mountain range, it connects to Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region through dense forests. It also connects to Central Kashmir’s Budgam district and to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) through Gulmarg.
The order said the ban will last for two months and directed strict compliance. “There have been some inputs about some militant movement in the areas as well,” said an officer.
Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter.
Expertise and Experience
Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development.
Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor.
Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans:
Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance.
Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley.
Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More
