Sankoo

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Sankoo
Sankoo Kausar.jpg
A lush green barley field at Kausar, Sankoo in Kargil district
India Ladakh location map UN view.svg
Red pog.svg
Sankoo
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Sankoo
Coordinates: 34°17′N75°56′E / 34.28°N 75.94°E / 34.28; 75.94 Coordinates: 34°17′N75°56′E / 34.28°N 75.94°E / 34.28; 75.94
Country Flag of India.svg  India
Union Territory Flag of Ladakh, India.svg Ladakh
District Kargil
Tehsil Sankoo
Languages
  Official Ladakhi, Hindi
  Spoken Ladakhi, Balti, Purgi
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
194301 [1]

Sankoo [lower-alpha 1] (Wylie : sang ku) is a charming town nestled in a picturesque valley within the Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. This delightful township is located approximately 42 kilometers south of Kargil city and is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. The valley is shaped like a bowl and is fed by several large tributary streams of the Suru River, as well as the Nakpochu river.

Contents

Sankoo is widely regarded as the most lush and affluent valley in all of Ladakh, and is fondly referred to as "Ladakh's Gulmarg" or "meadow of flowers." (Citation needed) Visitors to this stunning region can expect to be surrounded by a magnificent natural landscape, characterized by verdant meadows, rolling hills, and snow-capped peaks.

It is impossible not to be captivated by the breathtaking scenery of Sankoo Valley. Whether you're an avid adventurer or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, this idyllic location is guaranteed to exceed your expectations. [2]

Administration

Within the Sankoo region, there exists a singular CHC hospital and an Aga Syed Haider Rizvi Memorial Higher Secondary School. Additionally, several villages are scattered throughout the area, including Sangra, Stakpa, Umba, Lankarchay, Thasgam, Barso, Farona, and Nagma Kousar.

To provide medical assistance to the region's residents, there is a solitary CHC hospital,

Education

education is facilitated through the Aga Syed Haider Rizvi Memorial Higher Secondary School. The Sankoo region is composed of multiple villages, such as Sangra, Stakpa, Umba, Lankarchay, Thasgam, Barso, Farona, and Nagma Kousar, each contributing their unique flavor to the local community. There are two noteworthy public schools: Noon Public High School and Sankoo Public School. Both of these educational institutions operate under a private-public model, providing students with a quality education that is accessible to all.

Demand for new district

In February 2020, In freezing temperatures of minus 10 °C, approximately 3,000 people assembled in Sankoo, located in Kargil, to demand district status for their region. The attendees braved the bitter cold to make their voices heard, highlighting the significance of their cause. The demonstration demonstrated the unwavering commitment and determination of the people of Sankoo to achieve their goals and secure the well-being of their community.The new Union Territory of Ladakh, which was created after the unilateral bifurcation of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state and the reading down of Article 370, now has two districts – Leh and Kargil – with about equal population distribution.

Further, Kargil has four sub divisions – Kargil, Zanskar, Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan. The protesters in Sankoo are demanding that Zanskar and Sankoo be turned into a separate district to allow for better governance.

They argue that the area is remote and several parts are cut off from the district headquarters in Kargil during the heavy snow winter months, making service delivery a complicated challenge for the people of Zanskar and Sankoo.

The protests was organised by an organisation called Youth Sankoo and supported by major religious organisations like Anjuman-e-Sabib Zaman, Anjuman Enqilab-e-Mehdi Suru and Maktab-e-Imam Raza Sankoo and political parties including the Congress and the National Conference. . [3]

Climate

Summers are mild and warm in Sankoo, but the winters are extremely cold and harsh. Temperatures are most comfortable in April and September. As a result of global warming, the most widely reported impact is a rapid shrinking of glaciers, which has profound future implications for downstream water resources. Some of these diminishing glaciers are the Nangma Serpo glacier, Batacho glacier, Umba Glacier and Gangshanmo. A study of these glaciers has yet to be done. [4] [ unreliable source? ]

Geography

Sankoo, a charming township nestled amidst the majestic mountain ramparts, is a hidden gem of the Ladakh region. With its small bazaar and picturesque villages, Sankoo offers a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

As you enter the valley, you are greeted by dense plantations of poplars, willows, myricaria, and wild roses. The valley's bowl-shaped topography, coupled with the man-made forest, gives it an ethereal charm.

Sankoo's Unique Geography.

The Kartsey Khar valley is a remarkable destination located in Sankoo. One of the highlights of the valley is the Chamba monastery, which happens to be one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Asia. Additionally, the valley is also home to the famous Graveyard of Ancient Muslim Queen Rgyal Khatoon, which is a significant historical landmark worth visiting.

Tourism

Picnickers come to the area from Kargil town and other places. There is also a place of pilgrimage, the shrine of a Muslim scholar-saint, Sayed Mir Hashim, who was invited from Kashmir to impart the religious teachings of the region's Buddhist ruler, Thi-Namgyal of the Suru principality, following his conversion to Islam in the 16th century. The shrine is in the village of Karpo-Kharon on the outskirts of Sankoo. [5] [ unreliable source? ]

See also

Notes

  1. Alternative spellings: Sanku, Sankhu, Sankho and Sankhoo.

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References

  1. "Sankoo (Google Maps)". Google Maps. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  2. "Revenue Villages | District Kargil, Union Territory of Ladakh | India".
  3. "3,000 Demonstrate for Separate District in Sub-Zero Temperatures at Kargil". The Wire. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  4. "List of Tourist Attractions | Tourist Places to Visit in Sankoo". www.nativeplanet.com. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  5. Sankoo in Ladakh - Tourist Places, Leh Travel, Village Tour, Culture, Travel Attraction, Trekking, Mountaineering, Tourist Information Centre India