Jhelum, known as Vitasta in the past and Hydaspes by Alexander’s army is a beautiful, storied river that is at the heart of the culture, ecology and economy of the Kashmir valley. As the saying goes, ‘If Egypt be the gift of Nile, it is truer that Kashmir is gift of Jhelum’. Jhelum valley is at an average elevation of 1829 meters above sea level and is approximately 135 kilometers in length and 30 to 40 kilometers in breadth. Originating in a robustly beautiful artesian spring called Verinag, Jhelum flows through a valley contained by the Greater Himalayas and Peer Panjal Ranges, on to the heart of Srinagar, into the Wular lake, a designated Ramsar Wetland, then to Uri from where it enters Pakistan to meet River Chenab. The basin is remarkably rich in forests, alpine lakes, wetlands and springs and supports a population of about 7 million.
