Over the years, this valley has remained unexplored but now it is coming up as one of the most exotic places of Kashmir. Just 48 km from District Headquarter, Kupwara, situated in the lap of Himalayan mountains, bangus is a part of a unique ecological area, comprising mountain and grassland with flora, Taiga or Coniferous forest. The Valley which is as beautiful as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, but less spoiled and more pristine is located in Handwara of District Kupwara. This valley is replete with natural vegetation and flowers of wild nature. The vast green plains look like natural tapestries, as if spread by divine hands. Extreme natural beauty, serenity, splendor are few synonyms associated with the majestic Valley of bangus. It has been proposed to be developed as a Himalyan Biosphere valley by INTACH, on the following criteria.
The biosphere of the bangus valley is being established to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement, growing mechanization and ensuing development activities does not occupy and modify all areas within the valley, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition. The proposed biosphere is being established as a design, the policy for securing the benefits of an enduring natural environment for the people of present and future generations.
One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential is the valley of Bangus. The valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft above sea level, lies in the northern border district of Kupwara within the Handwara sub district. Occupying an estimated area of about 300 sq.kms the principal valley ocally known as Bod Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east west axis.The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun mountains in the west, Chowkibal and KarnahGuli in the North Leepa mountains in the south.
A small side valley known as Lokut Bang (Small Bangus) lies in the north eastern side of the main valley. Both the valleys comprise level green meadows surrounded by low lying mountains covered with dense pine forests (Budloo).