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Ganderbal, Nov 04: About ten kilometres from the famous health resort of Sonamarg, the picturesque Sarbal area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is rich in natural beauty. Known as the last village of the district, Sarbal marks the end of Ganderbal before the Zojila zero point begins — beyond which lies the Union Territory of Kargil.

Sarbal is home to the Dard-Shina community, who have been living in the area for over a century. The settlement, once comprising 111 households, now has only about 65 families remaining. The residents migrate every winter due to heavy snowfall that disconnects the area for nearly six months.

“We arrive here in May and leave by November, as snowfall reaches up to six feet, completely cutting off access,” said Farooq Ahmad Raina, the local

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