Kupwara district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is the backward frontier of Kashmir valley, full of scenic beauty. Dense forests and rich wild life make it significant from tourism and wildlife point of view. Nature has been very kind to Kupwara. The district headquarter "Kupwara" is situated at a distance of 90 km from the summer capital of state, i.e. Srinagar. The district is situated at an average altitude of 5300 feet from the sea level. The Kupwara district is spread over an area of 2379 sq km.

The north west part of the district is bound by line of actual control (LOC)) while the southern portion is bound by the district Baramulla. There are three bad pocket areas, namely, Machil, Keran and Karnah located near LOC which remain land locked for more than six months in a year. There are some other areas located at barbed distances and remain cut off from district headquarter for a considerable time, like Kumkadi, Lashdat, Jumgund, Kethanwali and Budnambal.

District Kupwara was originally part of district Baramulla and was was carved out as a separate district in July 1979. Kupwara town was chosen as district headquarter. The district consists of three tehsils namely, Kupwara, Handwara and Karnah.