Let go! Take a trip to such a flower paradise, about which people of Uttarakhand are not well aware, except the country and the world. This valley, known as 'Chenap', is spread over an area of five sq km at an altitude of 13 thousand feet above sea level in Chamoli district. So far 315 species of rare Himalayan flowers have been marked here.
The anonymous valley of flowers in the Himalayas
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Dinesh Kukreti
Do you know that besides the World Heritage Flowers Valley, there is another Valley of Flowers in the Frontier Chamoli District. 28 km away from the block headquarters Joshimath, this flower flower spread in an area of five sq km near Sona Shikhar at an altitude of 13 thousand feet above sea level is known as 'Chenap Valley'. This valley is located in the foothills of snow-capped peaks just opposite Auli, the world famous snow sports destination. From June to October, about 315 species of rare Himalayan flowers bloom here, despite this the tourism map of Uttarakhand does not even mention this valley.
Nature has decorated flower beds
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The biggest attraction of the Chenap Valley is the one-and-a-half mile long ridges and beds built there. Looking at the beds of the god Pushp Brahmakamal, it seems as if a skilled craftsman has decorated them neatly. These beds are called 'fluff'. The legend prevalent among the local people is that the Achanchiras (fairies) cultivate flowers here. Apart from this, there is also a rich store of rare species of wildlife and medicinal herbs.
Rangat flourishes between July and September
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By the way, the beauty of Chenap Valley remains twelve months. But, the beauty of the many types of flowers that bloom here between July and September is amazing. After September, the flowers start to dry slowly. However, the charm of greenery still remains.
Special choice of Bengali tourists
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Even though the world-world does not know about Chenap Valley, it is a favorite track of the tourists of West Bengal. Despite the lack of facilities, tourists from Bengal reach Didar in the Chenap Valley in large numbers every year.
Three day thrill track
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The main route to Chenap Valley passes through the Marwari Bridge near Joshimath. It is a three-day track. On the first day, the village of Thang is about eight km away from Marwari and on the second day it reaches Dhar Khark, six km from here. The Chenap Valley is at a distance of four km from here. This distance is fixed on the third day.
Valley in the eye after the 2013 disaster
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To go to Chenap Valley go two ways from development block headquarters Joshimath. One of these can be returned to Chenap Valley by another route. One route goes through Ghiwani Tok of Thang village and another through Melari Top. The view of dozens of mountain ranges of the Himalayas is made from the Melari Top. Apart from this, the Chenap Valley can be reached on the Badrinath Highway from Benakuli via Kheer and Macapata. It is a 40 km long track, which is considered to be a favorite of Bengali tourists in particular. Nature lovers started arriving here when the way to the Valley of Flowers was destroyed in the disa ster of 2013. Only after this people came to know about this valley.
Special attractions of Chenap Valley
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Chanan plow: The natural bed of flowers present in Chenap Bugyal is known as 'Chanan plow'. It is believed that every year Goddess Nanda's religion brother Latu Devta comes here to plow and prepare this bed.
Latu Kund: To the left of Chenap Bugyal is a huge pool, which has now taken the form of a swamp. This Kund is known as Latu Kund.
Jakh Bhuta Dhara (waterfall): Just in front of Chenap Bugyal the huge waterfall which rises from the peak called Kala Dang (Black Stone) is known as Jakh Bhuta Dhara.
Masquasyani: To the left of Chenap Bugyal is a large bed of Brahmakamal, which remains green from July to September. It is named Masquasyani.
Phulana Bugyal: Chenap is a huge bed of herbs (bitter, thirty-eight, hand-studded) and flowers on a 130-degree slope 400 meters away from Bugyal. The villagers know it by the name Phulana Bugyal.
Kala Dang: Just in front of Chenap Bugyal is a huge black stone peak, which remains snowy till September. Being black, this peak looks very attractive.
Track of the year' in files
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Two years ago, an action plan was sent to the government by the Department of Tourism to declare Chenap Valley as 'Track of the Year'. But, ironically, it has not been approved till date. Whereas, local people had high expectations from it. However, now the forest department claims that the department has prepared an action plan to bring the Chenap Valley into the eyes of the world. Work on this will be started soon.
Mythological belief
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It is mentioned in the Puranas that the fragrance is not found in the flowers of Gandhamadan mountain and Badrivan, as in the flowers of Chenap Bugyal. It is said that King Vishala performed a huge yajna at Hanuman Chatti. Due to which the fragrance of the flowers of Badrivan and Gandhamadan mountain is gone.
Still could not find identity
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On the occasion of the inauguration of the first National Games at Auli, Himkrida venue in the year 1987, the then District Panchayat President Ramakrishna Uniyal had asked the Union Environment Secretary to link this paradise with the tourism map.
In the year 1989, Kunwar Singh Negi, MLA of Badri-Kedar region, had reached Chenap Valley and said that it should be developed as a tourist center.
In 1997, the then Director General of Uttar Pradesh Tourism, Surendra Singh Pangati also stepped in here, but the story still could not move forward.
Later also, the Forest Department and local administration teams visited the Chenap Valley from time to time. Despite this, the valley has been craving identity till date.
