When people think of Azad Kashmir, valleys like Neelum or Muzaffarabad often come to mind. Yet hidden in the Pir Panjal mountains lies Poonch District, a land of shimmering lakes, vast meadows, and deep history. It is a place of breathtaking scenery, but also one where families face daily struggles against poverty, harsh winters, and limited resources.
For the Kashmiri diaspora in the UK, visiting Poonch is more than a journey. It is a homecoming. For those who have never been, it is a chance to see the homeland of parents and grandparents. But behind the postcard views lies another truth — one where your support can make the difference between survival and despair.
Banjosa Lake: A Sparkling Retreat, A Community in Need
Banjosa Lake, just outside Rawalakot, glitters like a jewel in the heart of Poonch. Surrounded by pine forests, it is a favourite for families who picnic, take boat rides, and breathe the fresh air. For overseas Kashmiris, it is often the first stop to reconnect with their ancestral land.
Yet beyond the beauty, local families around Banjosa struggle. Tourism helps, but income is uncertain. Many households cannot afford stable education for their children or healthcare for their elders. That is why Kashmir Welfare Foundation works in areas like these — ensuring vulnerable families are not forgotten. Your Zakat and Sadaqah directly support widows and orphans who live within sight of these beautiful landscapes.
👉 Give Zakat today or set up Regular Giving to sustain families in Poonch.
Toli Pir: Meadows in the Sky, Voices of Resilience
At nearly 9,000 feet above sea level, Toli Pir offers sweeping views that make visitors stop in awe. The meadows stretch into the horizon, kissed by clouds, and surrounded by the peaks of the Pir Panjal. For UK travellers, it is a reminder of the land their elders left, but whose beauty still calls them home.
Yet life in the villages below is not easy. Winters here are long and harsh. Families often survive without proper heating, children walk long distances to school, and many lack access to healthcare. When you gaze out from Toli Pir, remember that below those mountains live resilient people who depend on your generosity.
Through Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Winter Campaigns and Food Packs, your donations provide blankets, heating, and food parcels to families who would otherwise go without.
👉 Support the Winter Campaign and keep a child warm tonight.
Tolipir National Park: Protecting Nature, Protecting People
Tolipir National Park is a sanctuary of nature — home to Himalayan black bears, rare leopards, and countless birds. Its forests and meadows are vital for ecological balance. Tourists admire its beauty, but locals depend on these lands for survival.
Deforestation, poverty, and climate change threaten this balance. Families who cannot meet their needs often turn to cutting trees for fuel, creating a cycle that harms both people and the environment. This is where support matters. By empowering families with alternative incomes and sustainable resources, Kashmir Welfare Foundation helps protect both livelihoods and landscapes.
👉 Donate to Empower Lives and help families build futures without destroying the environment.
Devi Gali: Peace in Nature, Struggles in Silence
Nestled at 5,480 feet, Devi Gali feels like a world apart. Meadows roll into forests, silence fills the air, and families gather for picnics away from the bustle of daily life. It is a place of serenity, often compared to paradise itself.
But paradise hides hardship. Many families in surrounding villages live below the poverty line. Widows raise children alone, young people leave school to work, and medical needs often go unmet. Their struggles rarely make the headlines, yet they remain real every single day.
Your donation ensures that while travellers see the beauty, families living in Poonch also see hope. Sponsoring an orphan or providing food aid can transform lives right here.
👉 Sponsor an Orphan in Poonch District and give a child education, dignity, and a brighter tomorrow.
Why UK Support Matters
For the UK diaspora, giving to Kashmir is not charity — it is family duty. It is honouring the sacrifices of parents and grandparents who left these valleys but never forgot them. It is giving back to a land that shaped your identity.
Every pound given through Kashmir Welfare Foundation turns into hot meals, clean water, winter relief, and education for families across Poonch. By visiting, sharing, or donating, you are not just exploring Kashmir — you are uplifting it.
Poonch Awaits, With Open Arms
Poonch District is a treasure chest of beauty — from the shimmering waters of Banjosa Lake to the heavenly meadows of Toli Pir, from the protected lands of Tolipir National Park to the serene slopes of Devi Gali. Yet, it is also a land of resilience, where families continue to endure hardship with dignity.
As a UK Kashmiri, you carry the power to change lives here. The call of Poonch is not only to visit, but also to stand with its people.
👉 Donate your Zakat, Sadaqah, or set up Regular Giving today. Together, we can ensure the beauty of Poonch is matched by the wellbeing of its people.
