Neelum Valley Kashmir
Content
Neelum Valley
Kashmir
Backdrop On the termination of British rule over the Sub-Continent two independent States, Pakistan and India emerged in August 1947, in view of geographical, religious and historical links the people of Jammu & Kashmir State demanded freedom from the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and the accession of the State to Pakistan. The Maharaja, ignoring the wishes of the Muslim majority, instead, entered into an unfortunate conspiracy with the Hindu leadership and acceded to India. This sparked the liberation movement of the Muslim population of the State against the Dogra and Indian forces in Kashmir. As a result of this, a part of the State was liberated from the Dogra cum Indian domination in October 1947, and named Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir
General Information The state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude 73º - 75º and latitude 33º - 36º and comprises of 5,134 square miles or 13,297 square kilometers of area. The topography is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. The area is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. The main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from 360 meters in the south to 6325 meters in the north. The snowline is in winter is around 1200 meters above sea level while in the summer it rises to 3,300 meters. The total population of 2.973 million according to the Population Census of 1998 is estimated to be 3.271 million in 2002. Almost 100% population is Muslim. Out of the total population, 87.5% are living in rural areas while 12.5% are urban residents. The population density is 246 persons per square kilometer. The literacy rate was reported as 55% in the 1998 census, is estimated to be 60% in 2002. According to the most recent available survey by the Northern Resources Management Program with the assistance of Overseas Economic Research Institute, the average household income is around Rs. 101,900. Of the total Rs. 60,834 (59.7%) is income from the off-farm and other activities while Rs. 41,065 (40.3%) is termed as the farm income, which implies that Rs. 14,557 per capita is the total family income. The area under cultivation is around 170,787 hectares which is about 12.8% of the total area of AJK. According to the agricultural census of 1990, the average farm size is only 1.2 hectares, half of which is cultivated. A large proportion of farm land is uncultivable waste, including forest. Per Capita land holding is 0.159 hectares. The major crops are Maize followed by Wheat and Rice while the minor crops include Grams, Pulses, Oil-Seeds and Vegetables.
The area under fruit cultivation is about 14,460 hectares. The most important fruits are Apples, Pears, Apricots, Walnuts and Plums. The area controlled by the Forest Department is about 5100%,969 hectares, which is 42.6% of the total geographical area. Deodar, Kail, Fur, Spruce and Cheer are some of the most important species of trees under forests.
People and Culture Azad Jammu & Kashmir is fascinating land of people, languages & culture. The texture of present population is composed of races claming their descent from Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, Turks & Arabs. The people of districts Kotli, Mirpur & Bhimber, are sturdy, simple, truthful and deeply attached to their land. The culture of this area resembles to that of the adjoining area of Punjab. While district Muzaffarabad has its own distinctive culture. The people of the State are intelligent, ingenious, hard working, mobile & skillful.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir at a Glance
Area of Districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir District Name Neelum Muzaffarabad Bagh Poonch Area (Sq. Km) 3621 Sq. Km 2496 Sq. Km 1368 Sq. Km 855 Sq. Km Area (%) (27 %) (19 %) (10 %) (7 %)
Sudhanoti Kotli Mirpur Bhimber Total Area
569 Sq. Km 1862 Sq. Km 1010 Sq. Km 1516 Sq. Km 13297 Sq. Km
(4 %) (14 %) (8 %) (11 %) (100 %)
Population of Districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir District Name Neelum Muzaffarabad Bagh Poonch Sudhanoti Kotli Mirpur Bhimber Total Population Figures Male Population Female Population 1.685 Million 1.665 Million Population (2003) 0.143 Million 0.713 Million 0.434 Million 0.459 Million 0.247 Million 0.640 Million 0.371 Million 0.343 Million 3.350 Million Growth Rate 2.80 % 2.80 % 2.00 % 2.24 % 1.99 % 2.59 % 2.09 % 2.60 % 2.41 % Percentage (%) 4.27 % 21.28 % 12.96 % 13.70 % 7.38 % 19.10 % 11.07 % 10.24 % 100 %
Sex Ratio (Number of males per 100 101 females) Average Family Urban-Rural Growth Rate Population Density Literacy Rate Religion Administrative Setup Divisions 2 Size 7.2 Members Ratio 12.5: 87.5 2.41 % 246 Persons per Square Kilometer 60 % 99 % Muslims
Districts Sub-Divisions Union Councils Villages Town Committees Development Authorities Municipal Committees Municipal Corporations Markaz Councils Working Police Stations
8 20 202 1,646 10 5 11 2 30 42
Divisions
Districts
Tehsil
Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad, Hattian Bagh, Dheerkot, Havaily Rawalakot, Hajeera, Abbaspur Pullandri, Trarkhal, Balouch Athmaqam Kotli, Nakiyal, Sehnsa Mirpur, Akalgarh, Dudyal Bhimber, Samahni, Burnala
Bagh
Muzaffarabad
Poonch
Sudhanoti Neelum Kotli
Mirpur
Mirpur
Bhimber
Geographical Features Longitude 73º - 75º Latitude 33º - 36º
Topography: Mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and plains at some places. Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, Sudhanoti and Kotli districts fall into mountainous zone while Mirpur and Bhimber districts generally lie in foot hills. Climate:Sub tropical type Rain: 150 cm. (Average) Elevation from Sea: Range from South: Range from north: 325 meters. Snowline: In Winter-around 1200 meters. In Summer - around 3300 meters.
Language: Official: URDU Local: Kashmiri, Pahari(or hindko), Gojri, Punjabi and Pushto
Handicrafts: Carpet, Namda, Gubba, Silk Woolen Clothing, Woolen Shawls, Wood Carving, Paper Mashie, Rugs. Important Products: Mushroom, Honey, Walnut, Apple, Cherry, Medicinal herbs & plants, Resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers.
Minerals: Gypsum, Limonite, Mica, Soapstone, Marble, Sand, Ruby, Tourmaline, Bentonite, Yellow ocher, Phrities, Limestone and Dolomite. Wildlife: Snow Leopard, Common Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Ibex (Kel), Grey Goral (Mountain Goat), Musk Deer, Kashmiri Stag, Monal pheasant, Western Tragopan, Snow Pheasant, Red-led Partridge (Chakor), Black Koklas Pheasant, Peacock, Eagle, Duck markhor (Wild Goat).
Important Fishes: Snow Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Gulfam, Mahasher, Rahou. Lakes:
1. Distt. Neelum Valley - Rati Gali, (Neelum Valley), Jubsar Makra (Bheri) 2. Distt. Neelum Valley- Chitta Kattha Lake, Shonther.
3. Distt. Poonch - Benjosa, (Chottagala) 4. Distt. Mirpur- Mangla
Main Rivers: Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. Local Dishes: Rice, Aab-Gosht, Tabak Maaz, Ristay, Gushtaba, Hareesa, Saag (vegetable Dish).
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:
Neelum: Red Fort Neelum Valley, Sharda Ruins (Old Buddhist Sharda University Ruins), Sharda Fort Bagh: Bagh Fort Mirpur: 1) Mangla Fort, 2) Ramkot Fort, 3) Baghsar Fort (Bhimber)
Kotli:1. Throchi Fort
Ref: http://www.pmajk.gov.pk/history.asp#features
Kashmir
Backdrop On the termination of British rule over the Sub-Continent two independent States, Pakistan and India emerged in August 1947, in view of geographical, religious and historical links the people of Jammu & Kashmir State demanded freedom from the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and the accession of the State to Pakistan. The Maharaja, ignoring the wishes of the Muslim majority, instead, entered into an unfortunate conspiracy with the Hindu leadership and acceded to India. This sparked the liberation movement of the Muslim population of the State against the Dogra and Indian forces in Kashmir. As a result of this, a part of the State was liberated from the Dogra cum Indian domination in October 1947, and named Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir
General Information The state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude 73º - 75º and latitude 33º - 36º and comprises of 5,134 square miles or 13,297 square kilometers of area. The topography is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. The area is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. The main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from 360 meters in the south to 6325 meters in the north. The snowline is in winter is around 1200 meters above sea level while in the summer it rises to 3,300 meters. The total population of 2.973 million according to the Population Census of 1998 is estimated to be 3.271 million in 2002. Almost 100% population is Muslim. Out of the total population, 87.5% are living in rural areas while 12.5% are urban residents. The population density is 246 persons per square kilometer. The literacy rate was reported as 55% in the 1998 census, is estimated to be 60% in 2002. According to the most recent available survey by the Northern Resources Management Program with the assistance of Overseas Economic Research Institute, the average household income is around Rs. 101,900. Of the total Rs. 60,834 (59.7%) is income from the off-farm and other activities while Rs. 41,065 (40.3%) is termed as the farm income, which implies that Rs. 14,557 per capita is the total family income. The area under cultivation is around 170,787 hectares which is about 12.8% of the total area of AJK. According to the agricultural census of 1990, the average farm size is only 1.2 hectares, half of which is cultivated. A large proportion of farm land is uncultivable waste, including forest. Per Capita land holding is 0.159 hectares. The major crops are Maize followed by Wheat and Rice while the minor crops include Grams, Pulses, Oil-Seeds and Vegetables.
The area under fruit cultivation is about 14,460 hectares. The most important fruits are Apples, Pears, Apricots, Walnuts and Plums. The area controlled by the Forest Department is about 5100%,969 hectares, which is 42.6% of the total geographical area. Deodar, Kail, Fur, Spruce and Cheer are some of the most important species of trees under forests.
People and Culture Azad Jammu & Kashmir is fascinating land of people, languages & culture. The texture of present population is composed of races claming their descent from Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, Turks & Arabs. The people of districts Kotli, Mirpur & Bhimber, are sturdy, simple, truthful and deeply attached to their land. The culture of this area resembles to that of the adjoining area of Punjab. While district Muzaffarabad has its own distinctive culture. The people of the State are intelligent, ingenious, hard working, mobile & skillful.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir at a Glance
Area of Districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir District Name Neelum Muzaffarabad Bagh Poonch Area (Sq. Km) 3621 Sq. Km 2496 Sq. Km 1368 Sq. Km 855 Sq. Km Area (%) (27 %) (19 %) (10 %) (7 %)
Sudhanoti Kotli Mirpur Bhimber Total Area
569 Sq. Km 1862 Sq. Km 1010 Sq. Km 1516 Sq. Km 13297 Sq. Km
(4 %) (14 %) (8 %) (11 %) (100 %)
Population of Districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir District Name Neelum Muzaffarabad Bagh Poonch Sudhanoti Kotli Mirpur Bhimber Total Population Figures Male Population Female Population 1.685 Million 1.665 Million Population (2003) 0.143 Million 0.713 Million 0.434 Million 0.459 Million 0.247 Million 0.640 Million 0.371 Million 0.343 Million 3.350 Million Growth Rate 2.80 % 2.80 % 2.00 % 2.24 % 1.99 % 2.59 % 2.09 % 2.60 % 2.41 % Percentage (%) 4.27 % 21.28 % 12.96 % 13.70 % 7.38 % 19.10 % 11.07 % 10.24 % 100 %
Sex Ratio (Number of males per 100 101 females) Average Family Urban-Rural Growth Rate Population Density Literacy Rate Religion Administrative Setup Divisions 2 Size 7.2 Members Ratio 12.5: 87.5 2.41 % 246 Persons per Square Kilometer 60 % 99 % Muslims
Districts Sub-Divisions Union Councils Villages Town Committees Development Authorities Municipal Committees Municipal Corporations Markaz Councils Working Police Stations
8 20 202 1,646 10 5 11 2 30 42
Divisions
Districts
Tehsil
Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad, Hattian Bagh, Dheerkot, Havaily Rawalakot, Hajeera, Abbaspur Pullandri, Trarkhal, Balouch Athmaqam Kotli, Nakiyal, Sehnsa Mirpur, Akalgarh, Dudyal Bhimber, Samahni, Burnala
Bagh
Muzaffarabad
Poonch
Sudhanoti Neelum Kotli
Mirpur
Mirpur
Bhimber
Geographical Features Longitude 73º - 75º Latitude 33º - 36º
Topography: Mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and plains at some places. Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, Sudhanoti and Kotli districts fall into mountainous zone while Mirpur and Bhimber districts generally lie in foot hills. Climate:Sub tropical type Rain: 150 cm. (Average) Elevation from Sea: Range from South: Range from north: 325 meters. Snowline: In Winter-around 1200 meters. In Summer - around 3300 meters.
Language: Official: URDU Local: Kashmiri, Pahari(or hindko), Gojri, Punjabi and Pushto
Handicrafts: Carpet, Namda, Gubba, Silk Woolen Clothing, Woolen Shawls, Wood Carving, Paper Mashie, Rugs. Important Products: Mushroom, Honey, Walnut, Apple, Cherry, Medicinal herbs & plants, Resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers.
Minerals: Gypsum, Limonite, Mica, Soapstone, Marble, Sand, Ruby, Tourmaline, Bentonite, Yellow ocher, Phrities, Limestone and Dolomite. Wildlife: Snow Leopard, Common Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Ibex (Kel), Grey Goral (Mountain Goat), Musk Deer, Kashmiri Stag, Monal pheasant, Western Tragopan, Snow Pheasant, Red-led Partridge (Chakor), Black Koklas Pheasant, Peacock, Eagle, Duck markhor (Wild Goat).
Important Fishes: Snow Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Gulfam, Mahasher, Rahou. Lakes:
1. Distt. Neelum Valley - Rati Gali, (Neelum Valley), Jubsar Makra (Bheri) 2. Distt. Neelum Valley- Chitta Kattha Lake, Shonther.
3. Distt. Poonch - Benjosa, (Chottagala) 4. Distt. Mirpur- Mangla
Main Rivers: Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. Local Dishes: Rice, Aab-Gosht, Tabak Maaz, Ristay, Gushtaba, Hareesa, Saag (vegetable Dish).
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:
Neelum: Red Fort Neelum Valley, Sharda Ruins (Old Buddhist Sharda University Ruins), Sharda Fort Bagh: Bagh Fort Mirpur: 1) Mangla Fort, 2) Ramkot Fort, 3) Baghsar Fort (Bhimber)
Kotli:1. Throchi Fort
Ref: http://www.pmajk.gov.pk/history.asp#features
