Prang Park in Kangan crumbles

Umar Raina
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12 Dec 2025

Ganderbal, Dec 12: Prang Park in Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, once a thriving tourist attraction and a venue that hosted some of India’s tallest political figures, now presents a picture of decay and abandonment, prompting fresh calls from locals for its revival. Located in the Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, the park was previously a major gathering spot that welcomed leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Today, however, its broken infrastructure and neglected landscape stand in stark contrast to its glorious past. Residents from Prang and nearby areas told Rising Kashmir that the historic site has been left to deteriorate without any meaningful upkeep. "From Nehru to Indira Gandhi, from Sheikh Abdullah to other dignitaries—everyone has walked through this park," said Chaudhary Atta Muhammad Qamar, a local elder. “Now it feels like the park has been erased from the government’s memory." Qamar said that while several heritage and religious sites across the Valley have been restored over the years, Prang Park continues to remain untouched. "Look at how Hazratbal was developed beautifully. This park deserves the same respect. Its revival can open livelihood avenues for the youth living from Sonamarg up to Ganderbal,” he added. Long-time residents recall the park as a bustling picnic and tourist spot until the early 1980s. MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali, acknowledged the concerns and said efforts are underway to push for the park’s restoration. However, he said the government had already decided to convert the site into a dumping yard for the upcoming Ganderbal Power House. "This decision predates my tenure. Despite that, we are trying hard to have the proposal reviewed and seek renovation of this historic location,” he told Rising Kashmir. Locals insist that Prang Park is more than just a recreational space—it represents a chapter of Kashmir’s political and cultural history—and warn that losing it would mean losing a part of their identity.