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Section
23

A TROUT STREAM 23

Harwan is not only noted for its natural beauty, and as having been the abode of a celebrated Buddhist saint: it is also now remarkable as pos- sessing a hatchery of the ordinary English brown trout, and of Danube trout or huchon; and here can be seen English trout of all sizes up to 11 Ibs. They were first placed in the Dachigam stream which runs through the valley opening out at Harwan ; and now ideal trout-fishing is provided by HH. the Maharaja for his guests, And what more perfect spot for the purpose could be found? Kept as a close preserve for two purposes ; firstly, for stag-shooting ; and, secondly, to imsure the freshness of the water which furnishes the water- supply of the whole city of Srinagar, it is absolutely quiet. There are no inhabitants, and no life but wild life; and, except for the superior grandeur of the mountains, it exactly resembles a Highland valley. We see the same clear rushing river, here dashing over boulders in a series of rapids, and there lying in cool, sequestered pools by a grassy bank or beneath some overgrowing trees. On a cloudy day, when the high mountains are shrouded in mist and a gentle rain is falling, you might be in Scotland itself. On a fine day, with Mahadeo towering 10,000 feet above you, and with glimpses