Srinagar, Jul 06: The remote village of Dudran in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is witnessing a steady influx of local and non-local visitors, who are travelling through dense forests and rugged mountain terrain to witness a centuries-old natural refrigeration system that preserves milk without electricity.
Popularly known as the ‘Milk Village’, Dudran has become an emerging rural tourism destination where tourists are fascinated by the traditional Dadore – indigenous refrigerators built around natural cold springs.
Located around 14 kilometres from Boniyar in Baramulla district, Dudran offers visitors a rare glimpse into a way of life where nature itself serves as a refrigerator. The village, surrounded by lush green forests, crystal-clear streams and pristine mountain slopes, is home to nearly 70 to 80 families who continue to preserve fresh milk using an age-old technique passed down through generations.
The Dadore are small cave-like structures made of stone and wood, constructed beside perennial cold-water springs. The constant flow of icy water and naturally cool air inside these structures keeps milk fresh for several days without the use of electricity.
The village’s unique heritage has increasingly attracted tourists, photographers, researchers and students, many of whom trek to Dudran to witness the traditional technology and interact with villagers who continue to depend on it for their livelihood.
“We are receiving visitors from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir as well as tourists from outside the Union Territory. They come here specifically to see these natural refrigerators and are amazed that milk can be preserved without electricity,” said village Sarpanch Abdul Razzaq Sheikh.
He said the growing interest has brought recognition to the village’s unique heritage.
“The Dadore are not merely storage structures but they are part of our identity. This is the system our ancestors left for us, and we continue to use it with pride. It costs us nothing and helps preserve our milk naturally,” Sheikh said.
The houses in Dudran, built using locally available stone, wood and mud, blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, reflecting a sustainable lifestyle deeply rooted in nature. The Dadore, protected with wooden planks and stone walls, also safeguard stored dairy products from wild animals.
Nadeem Sheikh, a resident, said visitors often find it difficult to believe that the refrigeration system functions entirely through natural resources.
“We collect fresh milk and store it inside the Dadore, where the natural cold keeps it fresh for days. Later, we prepare curd, butter and traditional cheese. Many tourists ask us where the cooling machine is, and they are surprised when we tell them that it is only the cold spring water and natural airflow,” he said.
According to villagers, the traditional system has not only sustained their dairy-based economy for generations but also serves as an example of climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable living.
“Our village depends on dairy farming. These natural refrigerators prevent spoilage and help us utilise every drop of milk. Even during peak summer, the milk remains fresh. It is a gift of nature that has supported us for centuries,” said another resident, Qayoom Mir.
After being stored in the Dadore, the milk is processed into curd, butter and traditional cheese, ensuring that no produce goes to waste. Despite the availability of modern refrigeration, villagers continue to rely on the indigenous practice because of its efficiency, sustainability and zero operating cost.
Recognising Dudran’s unique cultural and historical significance, the Jammu and Kashmir government initiated the process in April 2024 to declare the village a ‘Heritage Village’. The Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums has written to the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, seeking detailed information to facilitate its inclusion under the Jammu and Kashmir Heritage Conservation and Preservation Act, 2010.
With its breathtaking landscape, sustainable lifestyle and centuries-old natural refrigeration system, Dudran is steadily emerging as one of Kashmir’s most distinctive rural tourism destinations, offering visitors an opportunity to witness a living tradition where nature and human ingenuity continue to work in perfect harmony.
