The Marwah Valley falls under the jurisdiction of district Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located 28 km north of the district headquarters, Kishtwar, and 129 km and 97 km from the Union Territory capitals, Jammu and Srinagar, respectively. Marwah is renowned for its scenic beauty and is among the top tourist destinations in the Jammu division. Often referred to as the “Valley of Peace” and the “Switzerland of the Jammu division,” Marwah has long been neglected in terms of basic facilities such as electricity, network connectivity, and year-round road access.
Lack of Basic Facilities
Network Connectivity
Despite showing full network bars on their phones, users often cannot make calls without using a redialing app. This issue creates significant problems during emergencies, as people struggle to contact their loved ones. Students in the subdivision face significant challenges due to the lack of network connectivity, limiting their access to online education. This leaves them feeling trapped and unable to participate in the digital learning opportunities available to their peers elsewhere. While students in other regions are enhancing their skills through online classes, those in Marwah remain disconnected, unaware of what online education entails. Despite claims from companies like Jio and Airtel about network reliability, subdivision Marwah remains underserved, leaving residents frustrated and without proper communication access.
Electricity
The electricity supply in the subdivision has been neglected, forcing residents to rely on wood for lighting during the winter months. Nowadays, getting permission to collect wood from the forest has become increasingly complicated. This situation significantly impacts students, who struggle to study and complete assignments without adequate lighting. Although the government installed iron poles a few years ago, there is still no clarity on when reliable electricity will finally be restored.
Road Connectivity
The Marwah subdivision faces severe isolation from the district headquarters and the rest of the state due to inadequate road connectivity. The only access route, via Margan Top, remains open for only 6-7 months during the summer. Residents struggle during the winter months, forcing them to store food supplies for 5-6 months to cope with the lack of access.
Health Facilities
In Marwah, Kishtwar, health facilities are crucial for all residents, yet the subdivision faces a significant lack of basic medical services. Although there is a Community Health Centre (CHC), healthcare workers operate on a rotational basis. This challenge intensifies during winter when road connectivity is disrupted by harsh weather conditions. Patients with serious illnesses face life-threatening situations, struggling to access essential medical care. For pregnant women, the situation is even more critical; families often have to wait for chopper services to transport them to better-equipped facilities, weather permitting. This lack of reliable healthcare access underscores the urgent need for improvement in medical infrastructure and transportation solutions in the region.
The government needs to pay proper attention to these areas and improve basic facilities for the residents. Enhancing healthcare, transportation, and infrastructure would not only improve the quality of life for local people but also boost tourism in the valley. With better facilities in place, more visitors would be attracted to the area, increasing local business opportunities and creating employment for residents.
The author, Saqib Zahoor Lone, hails from Marwah in district Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. He is currently pursuing an honors degree in Economics at Degree College Khanabal, Anantnag. He can be reached at saqibzahoor415@gmail.com or saqibzahoor3202@gmail.com.
