Ganderbal district

Ganderbal district
District [1]
Views of peaks around Sonamarg, Ganderbal district, J&K, India Ganderbal district (district of Jammu and Kashmir, India) Clock Tower Ganderbal, located at Gousia Chowk Duderhama Ganderbal
Interactive map of Ganderbal district
Ganderbal district is in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. [1] It is in the Kashmir division (bordered in neon blue).
Coordinates(Ganderbal): 34°14′N74°47′E / 34.23°N 74.78°E / 34.23; 74.78
Administering country	India
Union territory	Jammu and Kashmir
Headquarters	Ganderbal
Area
• Total	259 km2 (100 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	297,446
• Density	1,148/km2 (2,970/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Ganderbaluk, Ganderbali, Ganderbalia, Ganderbalian
Languages
• Official	Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English language [2] [3]
• Other	Pahari, Gujari, Shina, Balti, Pashto
Time zone	UTC+05:30 (IST)
Pincode	191201
Area code	194
ISO 3166 code	0194
Vehicle registration	JK-16
Website	ganderbal.nic.in

The Ganderbal district, is an Indian-administered district in Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. ^[1] It was formed in 2007 and has 6 subdistricts (tehsils): Kangan, Ganderbal, Tullamulla, Wakura, Lar, and Gund. ^[4]

Lakes and Rivers

There are many lakes in the Ganderbal district both plain and alpine varieties, which include over 100 alpine lakes. ^[5]

Plain lakes: ^[6]

• Ahansar Lake
• Khanpursar Lake
• Manasbal Lake
• Narayanbagh Lake
• Waskura Lake
• Shallabugh Wetland (which includes some portion of Anchar Lake)

Alpine lakes:

• Gadsar Lake
• Gangabal Lake
• Krishansar Lake
• Nundkol Lake
• Satsar Lake
• Vishansar Lake

Furthermore, Durinar Lake III (located at an elevation of 4,650 meters above sea level) is the highest altitude alpine lake in Kashmir, ^[7] while Manasbal Lake (with a depth of 13 meters or 43 feet) is the deepest plain lake in Kashmir. ^[8] Both lakes fall within the jurisdiction of the Ganderbal district.

The rivers flowing within the jurisdiction of the Ganderbal district are:

1. Sind River - The primary river flowing through the district, originating from the Zoji La pass and running throughout Ganderbal.

2. Kishanganga/Neelum River - This river originates in vicinity of Sonamarg and flows onward across the Line of Control and enters the Pakistan.

3. Jhelum River - The major river of Kashmir that flows through some villages in the Ganderbal district, playing a vital role in the region's agriculture and water supply.

Grape Cultivation

Lar town stands out for its grape cultivation, yielding the highest production in the entire valley. This has given Ganderbal the title of the Grape Town of Kashmir. ^[9]

Wicker Work

The Ganderbal district, particularly the Sherpathri belt, is renowned as the Wicker Hub of Kashmir due to its distinctive wicker artisans. Spanning nearly 25 small hamlets, most of the population in this area is associated with the craft of wickerwork. These craftsmen create a variety of items, including chairs, sofas, baskets, flower vases, and kitchen essentials, using locally sourced willow reeds. ^[10]

Historic sites and remains

Kheer Bhawani

Kheer Bhawani is a temple dedicated to the goddess Bhavani, constructed over a spring in Tulmul village. The name of the temple is derived from both the rice pudding (kheer) that is used as an offering, and the goddess it is offered to.

Naranag Temple

The Naranag Temple ^[11] located near Harmukh Mountain, holds historical significance as an ancient pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Historians suggest that it was commissioned by the eighth-century ruler Lalithdatiya Muktapid and has been associated with religious practices for centuries. While its impressive architecture reflects the craftsmanship of its builders from the eighth century, the temple currently faces challenges of preservation and maintenance. Despite recent efforts by the government to construct protective walls, the site remains in a state of disrepair, with only faint traces of its former glory surviving. While acknowledging its cultural and historical importance, it's essential to recognize the need for ongoing efforts to ensure its preservation and relevance for future generations.

Geography

Ganderbal district, has its district headquarters located at 33°44′N75°09′E / 33.73°N 75.15°E / 33.73; 75.15 in the town of Ganderbal, ^[12] is at an average elevation of 1,950 metres (6,400 ft) above mean sea level. The town is at a distance of 21 kilometres (13 mi) from Srinagar city. The total geographical area of Ganderbal district is 259 km2. ^[13]

The mountainous Ganderbal district is spread across the Sind River. It is the only river in Jammu and Kashmir on which three hydroelectric power stations are functional, and provides water for irrigation. 80% of the population ^[14] of the district is engaged with farming. The river sand (bajri), often mixed with cement, it produces is of high value.

Harmukh is the highest peak in the region and Gangbal the largest alpine lake.

Sub Districts

The district currently has six subdistricts (tehsils): ^{[4] [15]}

• Kangan
• Ganderbal
• Tullamulla
• Wakura
• Lar
• Gund

It is further divided into nine CD blocks: Ganderbal, Wakura, Lar, Kangan, Gund, Sherpathri, Phaag, Manigam and Batwina. ^{[15] [16]} Each block consists of a number of panchayats. Ganderbal District has 2 assembly constituencies: Kangan and Ganderbal. ^{[15] [17]}

Demographics

Religion in Ganderbal district (2011) [18]
Religion			Percent
Islam			97.69%
Hinduism			1.88%
Other or not stated			0.43%

Sex Ratio in Ganderbal District in 2011 Census. [19] (no. females per 1,000 males)
Religion (and population)			Sex Ratio
Muslim (pop 290,581)			905
Hindu (pop 5,592)			79
Other (pop 1,273)			316
Total (pop 297,446)			874

Languages of Ganderbal district (2011) ^[20]

   Kashmiri (68.92%)

   Gojri (20.21%)

   Pashto (3.49%)

   Pahari (2.61%)

   Hindi (1.31%)

  Others (3.46%)

Ganderbal district: religion, gender ratio, and % urban of population, according to the 2011 Census. [19]
	Hindu	Muslim	Christian	Sikh	Buddhist	Jain	Other	Not stated	Total
Total	5,592	290,581	406	486	25	8	4	344	297,446
	1.88%	97.69%	0.14%	0.16%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.12%	100.00%
Male	5,182	152,571	255	458	19	1	3	231	158,720
Female	410	138,010	151	28	6	7	1	113	138,726
Gender ratio (% female)	7.3%	47.5%	37.2%	5.8%	24.0%	87.5%	25.0%	32.8%	46.6%
Sex ratio (no. of females per 1,000 males)	79	905	–	–	–	–	–	–	874
Urban	389	46,498	53	38	3	0	1	57	47,039
Rural	5,203	244,083	353	448	22	8	3	287	250,407
% Urban	7.0%	16.0%	13.1%	7.8%	12.0%	0.0%	25.0%	16.6%	15.8%

At the time of the 2011 census, 68.92% of the population spoke Kashmiri, 20.21% Gojri, 3.49% Pashto, 2.61% Pahari and 1.31% Hindi as their first language. Balti and Shina are also spoken by small populations in the high mountains. ^[20]

Tourism

The Ganderbal district is located in valley of the Sindh River, also known as Nallah Sindh. It is rich in landscape and is often called the District of Lakes, as it possesses the highest number of lakes in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sonamarg

Main article: Sonamarg

Sonamarg, a hill station located 80 kilometers from Srinagar. At an altitude of 2,800 meters, it has views of snow-clad mountains, alpine meadows, and the Sindh River.^{[ citation needed ]} Hosting the International Championships of Rafting on the Sindh River, it attracts adventure enthusiasts from around the world.^{[ citation needed ]} The area has seen some development in the form of private hotels offering modern amenities for visitors.^{[ citation needed ]} Additionally, Sonamarg serves as a starting point for treks to high altitude lakes like Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar and Gangabal, known for their abundant trout populations.^{[ citation needed ]}

Manasbal Lake

Main article: Manasbal Lake

Manasbal Lake, located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north west of Ganderbal, is a tourist destination known for its scenery and wildlife. Spanning 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) wide. It is located in the Jhelum valley, north of Srinagar city. Named after Lake Manasarovar. ^[21] it is encircled by three villages: Jarokbal, Kondabal and Ganderbal with a depth of 13 m or 43 ft one of the deepest lakes in the Kashmir valley.

The lake is renowned for its large growth of lotus plants, which bloom during July and August, enhancing the beauty of its clear waters. Additionally, the Mughal garden known as Garoka, built by Nur Jahan, offers stunning views of the lake. ^[22]

Manasbal Lake is a haven for birdwatchers, boasting one of the largest natural habitats for aquatic birds in Kashmir. Despite its natural beauty and ecological significance, the lake faces challenges such as environmental degradation and tourism-related pressures. ^[23]

Accessing the lake from Srinagar involves a 30-kilometer road journey via Shadipur, Nasim, and Ganderbal. The road to Wular Lake, Kashmir's largest lake, passes through Manasbal, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the region's diverse water bodies and natural landscapes. ^[21]

Prang

Sindh River

Ganderbal (constituency of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly)

Prang village is 12 kilometres far from the central hub (beehama) of district Ganderbal, towards the east. Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH 1D) passes right through the middle of this village. This village falls under the jurisdiction of tehsil Kangan.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Prang garden used to be the picnic spot in 1990's before army came and established the base camp there. However, the army camp was later evacuated from the garden in the year 2008. This garden is situated on the banks of the famous Sindh River, and forested slopes are on the other side of the garden adding more charm to its beauty. The famous Environmental park (usually known as the "dumping park") is in the adjacent village of Prang.^{[ citation needed ]}

This village is considered as the main hub for its adjacent areas. The adjacent areas of this village are "Lari Prang, Check Prang, Herra Prang, Pati Prang and dragtung".^{[ citation needed ]}

Mohand Marg

Mohand Marg is an alpine meadow in the Lar tehsil. In summer it is a tourist destination for trekking and camping. Sir Aurel Stein was the first person to explore the place, pitching his camp in the summer of 1895. ^{[24] [25] [26] [27]}

It is hidden in the mountains to the north of Srinagar at the foot of Haramukh Peaks about 25 kilometers from Srinagar via the Ganderbal road towards Leh. From the road it is accessed via 5 kilometer trek up a steep path through the hill-side settlements and fields of Lar and Chount Waliwar before the 'Marg' opens out across the mountain side giving views of the Sindh Valley far below in one direction and the Valley of Kashmir in the other.

Harmukh

Main article: Harmukh

Gangabal Lake at foothills of Harmukh

Harmukh (also known as Mount Haramukh or Harmukh mountain) is a mountain with a peak elevation ^[28] of 16,890 ft (5,148 metres), in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Harmukh is part of the Himalaya Range, and is located between Sindh River to its south and Kishanganga River to its north. It rises above the Gangabal Lake in the vicinity of Kashmir Valley. ^[29] It is more hazardous to reach Mount Haramukh from the east and south side of Ganderbal and has never been climbed from these sides; thus, it is mostly climbed in the north-west from the Arin Bandipore side.

Harmukh was first climbed by the Great Trigonometric Survey's Thomas Montgomerie in 1856 and made the first survey of the Karakoram some 210 km (130 miles) to the south, and sketched the two most prominent peaks, labelling them K1 and K2. ^[30] Harmukh was later climbed by many other climbers. ^[31] Therefore, Harmukh is the mountain from which the world's second highest mountain peak K2 was discovered and the Serveyer's mark K2 continues to be the name.

Gangabal Lake

Main article: Gangabal Lake

Gangabal Lake, also called Gangbal Lake, is a lake situated at the foothills of Mount Haramukh (one of the highest mountain peak in the vicinity of Kashmir valley) ^[32] in Ganderbal district, north of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake, ^[33] and is home to many types of fishes ^[34] of which one is the brown trout. ^[35]

The lake has a maximum length of 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) and maximum width of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). It is fed by precipitation, glaciers and springs. The lake water outflows to a nearby small lake (Nundkol) ^[36] and then via Wangath nullah ^[37] to Sindh River. ^[38] The trout fishes are present in the lake. ^[39] Gangabal lake is approached from Srinagar 45 kilometres (28 mi) by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag ^[40] and then a 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) track upslope.

Shallabugh Wetland

Main article: Shallabugh Wetland

Shallabugh Wetland, situated in the Shallabugh village of Kashmir valley, is a haven of natural beauty and ecological significance. It was declared as a Ramsar Site recently. Spanning across acres of marshy terrain, this wetland plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental equilibrium. It serves as a vital habitat for numerous species of migratory birds, offering them a seasonal refuge during their journeys. The wetland's diverse flora and fauna contribute to the rich biodiversity of the region.

Villages

The villages of Ganderbal district include:

• Baba Dariya Din
• Gogjigund
• Haripora
• Kangan
• Lar
• Naranag
• Nawabagh Ganderbal
• Paribal Shallabugh
• Shallabugh
• Sonamarg
• Wakura

Universities, colleges and schools

The colleges and universities located in the District of Ganderbal include:

• Central University of Kashmir, Tullamulla
• Government Degree College, Ganderbal
• Three faculties of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir:-
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama
  • Faculty of Forestry, Benhama
  • Faculty of Fisheries, Rangil

References

1. The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the tertiary sources (a) through (d), reflecting due weight in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (f) through (h) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (i) below).
   (a) Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 15 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories.";
   (b) Pletcher, Kenneth, Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 16 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state.";
   (c) "Kashmir", Encyclopedia Americana, Scholastic Library Publishing, 2006, p. 328, ISBN   978-0-7172-0139-6 C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947";
   (d) Osmańczyk, Edmund Jan (2003), Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M, Taylor & Francis, pp. 1191–, ISBN   978-0-415-93922-5 Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute betw een India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China."
   (e) Talbot, Ian (2016), A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas, Yale University Press, pp. 28–29, ISBN   978-0-300-19694-8 Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.";
   (f) Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 15 August 2019 (subscription required) Quote: "... China became active in the eastern area of Kashmir in the 1950s and has controlled the northeastern part of Ladakh (the easternmost portion of the region) since 1962.";
   (g) Bose, Sumantra (2009), Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace, Harvard University Press, pp. 294, 291, 293, ISBN   978-0-674-02855-5 Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million. AJK has six districts: Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bagh, Kodi, Rawalakot, and Poonch. Its capital is the town of Muzaffarabad. AJK has its own institutions, but its political life is heavily controlled by Pakistani authorities, especially the military), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control."
   (h) Fisher, Michael H. (2018), An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century, Cambridge University Press, p. 166, ISBN   978-1-107-11162-2 Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir.";
   (i) Snedden, Christopher (2015), Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris, Oxford University Press, p. 10, ISBN   978-1-84904-621-3 Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."
2. "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
3. "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
4. "Subdivision and Tehsils", District Ganderbal, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, retrieved 23 July 2020
5. "Himalayan Bird - Discover the Beauty of Himalayan Birds" . Retrieved 20 January 2024.
6. "Prominent Lakes in Kashmir Division, Jammu & Kashmir". UCBMSH. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
7. "Durinar Lake III". Himalayan Bird. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
8. "Manasbal Lake". Ganderbal District Administration. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
9. "Repora: The Grapes Village of Kashmir". Greater Kashmir. 4 September 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
10. Saqib Khursheed (29 February 2024). "Willow Wickers Give Kashmir's Shairpathri Belt an Identity, an Economy". Kashmir Life. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
11. "Naranag temple in ruins". kashmirmonitor.org. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
12. "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ganderbal". fallingrain.com. Retrieved 24 April 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
13. "Ganderbal District Development Plan" (PDF). Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Information and Public Relations. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
14. "Agriculture directory of Ganderbal". diragrikmr.nic. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
15. "Administrative Setup", District Ganderbal, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, retrieved 23 July 2020
16. Statement showing the number of blocks in respect of 22 Districts of Jammu and Kashmir State including newly created districts Archived 10 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine dated 2008-03-13, accessed 2012-04-24
17. "ERO's and AERO's". Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir. Archived from the original on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
18. "Ganderbal district Population". Census India. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
19. C-1 Population By Religious Community – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
20. C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
21. "Manasbal Lake, Kashmir". kashmir-tourism.com.
22. "Manasbal Lake, Manasbal Lake in Jammu, Lakes in Jammu, Jammu Kashmir Lake Tours, Travelling in Jammu Kashmir". Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012. Mansbal lake
23. "Manasbal Lake". Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012. Manasbal Lake
24. "Mohand Marg: Sir Aurel Stein's Private Kingdom & Indira Gandhi's Honeymoon Destination | Honeymoon destinations, Honeymoon, Scenic". Pinterest. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
25. "Mohand Marg". wikimapia.org. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
26. "Kashmiri Followers of Aurel Stein". The Kashmir Monitor. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
27. Neve, Arthur (1979). The Legacy of Kashmir, Ladakh & Skardu. Civil and Military Gazette.
28. "How high is Harmukh". wolframalpha.com. Retrieved 24 April 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
29. "Geography of Kashmir". kousa.org. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
30. Curran, Jim (1995). K2: The Story of the Savage Mountain. Hodder & Stoughton. p. 25. ISBN   978-0340660072.
31. "Rimo expeditions". rimoriverexpeditions.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
32. "Trekking Kashmir". gaffarakashmir.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
33. Raina, HS; KK Vass (May–June 2006). "Some biological features of a freshwater fairy shrimp, Branchinecta schantzi, Mackin, 1952 in the Northwestern Himalayas, India" (PDF). J. Indian Inst. Sci. 86: 287–291. Retrieved 21 February 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
34. "Fishes and Fisheries in high altitude lakes, Vishansar, Gadsar, Gangabal, Krishansar". Fao.org. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
35. Petr, T., ed. (1999). Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia. Rome: FAO. p. 72. ISBN   92-5-104309-4.
36. "Kashmir First". Kashmir First. 25 August 1943. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
37. "Water Resources Development Projects in Indus Basin". Nih.ernet.in. 11 August 2004. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
38. A major tributary to the Jehlum river.
39. http://www.public.fotki.com/kashmir-ladakh-tourism/kashmir--ladakh/gangbal-lake-1.html%5B‍%5D
40. "Jammu and Kashmir update". jammuandkashmirupdate.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.

External links

• Official website