Kotla, Bagh

File:Kotla Bagh Azad Kashmir.jpg

A View of Kotla Bagh AJK

Kotla (Urdu: کوٹلہ) is a village near Bagh city adjacent to Ganga Mountain. Kotla is located in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir. Kotla is located at the height of 7000 feet. Kotla is also home to some of the rarest forests in the region containing pine trees that are hundreds of years old. It is located at a drive of 1 hours from Bagh. Kotla is the last station and end point of Bagh valley. Kotla is an example of vegetation generosity of the liberal nature. The spot is donned with all delicacies and niceties. Nature flirts here with fantastic environment. It has a sever season and heavy snow in winter, and winter season continue about 6 months starting from November to April end. In summer it is a worth place for tourist to visit. Nala.Ktola emerges from here in the valley and continue its journey till Saver Domail. Kotla is very beautiful and worth seeing place to "Visit Bagh Valley".

Forests

Kotla is also home to some of the rarest forests in the region containing pine trees that are hundreds of years old. Due to lack of knowledge/interest, these forests are now endangered to become extinct as locals continue deforestation by cutting down trees yet local/state governments seem to have no interest in saving them.

Climate and ecology

Kotla features a subtropical highland climate (Cwb) under the Köppen climate classification. It is situated in the outer Himalayas, retaining high altitude. This type of area has cold, snowy winters, relatively cool summer with drastically escalated rain, in relation with lower altitudes, and frequent fog. Precipitation is received year round, with two maxima, first one during winter and second one at summer, July–August. Total mean precipitation annually is 1,789 mm (70.4 in).[7] A variety of rare animal species can be found in Kotla, including the leopard, which inhabits the neighboring Galiyat region. More common animals include the rhesus monkey, wild boar, foxes and various species of birds, including the Cheer Pheasant and Kalij Pheasant. The area gives its name to the Kotla vole, a rodent species endemic to Pakistan.

Tourism

Kotla is famous for its hiking trails that lead to Pir Kanthi 10930 ft (3331mt), Danna meadows, Panjal Mastan and Ganga Choti, a mountain peak about 9989 ft(3044 mt) high and one of the most famous tourist attractions in AJK, Pakistan. There is also a waterfall in Kotla. The Valley of the Bagh is the largest and most beautiful waterfalls., It is located at a height of 5798 feet above sea level and Danni Lake.

Culture

People have simple culture.They have simple ceremony's of marriage eid and other festivals.They love Islam.Different languages are spoken like urdu,phari,kashmiri etc.Kashmiri literature has a rich history stretching back to hundreds of years.People like locacl music like bait and kashmiri music.They love to Play different games like cricket,Volley Ball,Hockey and football.

Sports

Kotla Cricket Ground (Altitude 8135 feet)

There is a cricket ground near the Dana known as Kotla Ground, located between two mountains. Every year in June a cricket tournament is held there in which sixteen teams of District Bagh and Mzd participate.

Earthquake of 2005

Kotla and its surrounding villages were totally destroyed from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, hundreds of people were killed or injured by this quake. 100% population was left homeless. Most of the houses have been reconstructed though with the help of the Governments of Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and local/ International NGOs.

Gallery

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  Panjal Mastan plains
• Dana Meadows Near Kotla Bagh AJK
  Dana Meadows Near Kotla Bagh AJK
• History Of Kotla
  History Of Kotla
• A Home in Kotla in January
  A Home in Kotla in January