In 2019 ,the Central government gave its approval for a new Government Medical College to be attached with District hospital Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara District.This Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district will be set up at a cost of Rs 325 crores under a centrally -sponsored scheme. Handwara is a sub-district and a town in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district at a distance of around 71 kms from Srinagar.District Kupwara is located in the extreme North of Kashmir and is bound by 170 Km line of actual control (L.O.C.) in the North while the southern portion is bound by District Baramulla. There are three border pocket areas namely, Machil, Keran and Karnah located near L.O.C. which remain cut off from the Kashmir Valley for over 4 months owing to intense snowfall on the high altitude Border Passes connecting these areas. This frontier District of Kashmir Valley is full of scenic beauty. Dense forests and rich wild life make it significant from a tourism and wildlife point of view. District Kupwara is blessed with the beautiful Bangus and Lolab Valley.