History

Bandipora is the administrative headquarters of the district of Bandipora in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wular – the largest fresh water lake in Asia. Bandipora has a terraced garden similar to that of Nishat Bagh in Srinagar. In Kashmiri there is a famous phrase about Bandipora or in other words Bandipora is famous for three A’s – A’lim (knowledge), Adab (good habits or literature) and Aab (water).As can be known from the folklore, the name of Bandipora originated either from Bund of Wular as Bund e pur, from the local Folk-singing Bands as Baand e pur or from the enlosed geographical location as Bandh e pur. Bandipora is bound by mountains on three sides and by Wular Lake in the fourth. Bandipora is situated on the banks of the Wular, the largest fresh-water lake in Asia which is home to a lot of migratory birds. Inadvertent dumping of the polluted river waters and sewage affluence has led to a pandemic growth of algae in the waters of the Wular which is threatening the lake and its supporting life itself. The main source of pollution to Wular is Jehlum river. Jehlum river carries all the wastes from Srinagar city and other surrounding areas and deposits it in Wular. Despite being the richest wetland of South Asia and Largest Fresh water lake in Asia, no steps have been taken to save Wular. Bandipora is also a stepping town to the higher reaches of Razdan, Gurez and Tragbal. The famous Lolab valley in Kupwara district is adjacent to the Bandipora. It is just 30 km from Bandipora via Aloosa village. Once this road is upgraded it will become a lifeline of the Lolab valley and it will provide an additional route to the Kupwara district. Bandipora was the connecting link between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village there was a custom and immigration department which is now a forest check post. Due to the fact, Bandipora is also known as Gateway to Central Asia. There are strong links between skardu gurez and Bandipora