Babaye-i-Yasen (بابائے یاسین)
Beauty is to be praised. For millions of years, we homo sapiens are keen to have a natural environment and a soothing society to survive in a serene way. Lush green fields, chilling air in the burning sun, freshwater, and spacious ground to roam around are our ideals to have as our surroundings. But the world is not the same everywhere.
If Africa has its biggest desert Sahara then Nepal has its highest peak, Mount Everest. The world is unevenly disseminated with plains, plateaus, mountains, sea, and deserts. It is not possible to have the K-2 and the Niagra falls be found in one place at a discount in somewhere in the middle east.
The human quest for adventures never dies because we humans are not satisfied with what we have, we want something new and updated with the passage of time, whether it is our mobile phone or the tourist spots we went to recently.
Why to introduce something like the Yasin valley far in the mountains of the northern areas of Pakistan .
What is new and adventurous about it ?
The Yasin valley is comprised of many small valleys accompanied by natural beauty. From crystal clear water to lush green fields, there is every bit of nature depicting its utmost serenity.
The villages of Yasin valley are sparsely populated but the quality of life is comparatively higher than other areas of Gilgit. The education system is well established comparatively and AKDN is serving the community in collaboration with the Government.
Starting from Gilgit City it will take some four hours of drive to reach Yasin valley which is at a distance of 148 KMs. Yasin valley is further divided into four local councils namely
1-Yasin,
2-Thoi,
3-Silgaan,
4-Sultanabad.
These local councils are comprised of many small villages. Geographically Yasin valley is of strategic value because it connects the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan-Tajikistan with Gilgit City. The pass connecting Yasin valley with the Wakhan corridor is Darkut pass, this pass is on an altitude of 4267 m and it also connects the Chitral valley with Yasin. Another pass is located in Thoi named Thoi pass(4690 m) which connects Mushibarnala with Yarkhun Chitral. Assumer pass also connects Yasin valley with Ishkomen valley.
The first spot for the tourists attraction is the tomb of the highest military award holder Lalik Jan . Lalik Jan is the Hero of the Kargil war who was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider. His tomb is located in Hundur valley.
Apart from natural beauty, you will find some historical spots like the Mudoori which is an icon of bravery and sacrifice located in Sandi.
To add on, what is wonderful about the Yasin valley is its past and the hospitable people. From the Shawaran of Yasin to the Yarkhun pass of Darkut there is nothing but the generous nature depicting it’s beauty and benevolence. High Mountains are the essence of Northern areas and Yasin valley is all surrounded by mountains which are all covered by snow at the peaks in all weathers. The skies are crystal clear and if Yasin would have been an observatory to watch the heavenly bodies of the universe then it would have been the best of observatories.
In addition to this, the Darkut valley of Yasin is the paradise of Eden. There is a small natural lake and many hot springs which are conventionally considered to be of some medical value and many people come here throughout the year seeking natural healings. In the pastures of Yasin, you would mainly find glaciers and giant Yalks walking on them.
The population is composed of local Brushoo people speaking Burushaski (an ancient language). The people here also speak Khowar, Pushtu, Shina, and some national and international languages including English, Urdu, and Farsi. Yasin valley observes all four seasons and the main produce of Yasin is it’s fruits ( apricots, apples, berries, almonds, nuts, pears, grapes, etc).
To wind up my article I would like to include that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but Yasin is an exception to this statement.
Loves to read your words