Ganderbal district
Ganderbal district, is an Indian-administered district in Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It was formed in 2007 and has 6 subdistricts : Kangan, Ganderbal, Tullamulla, Wakura, Lar, and Gund.
Lakes and Rivers
There are many lakes in the Ganderbal district both plain and alpine varieties, which include over 100 alpine lakes.Plain lakes:
- Ahansar Lake
- Khanpursar Lake
- Manasbal Lake
- Narayanbagh Lake
- Waskura Lake
- Shallabugh Wetland
- Gadsar Lake
- Gangabal Lake
- Krishansar Lake
- Nundkol Lake
- Satsar Lake
- Vishansar Lake
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.
4. Wangath River - Also known as Wangath Nallah, is a significant tributary of the Sind River. This river originate from Gangabal Lake and merges with Sindh River at Kichpora Kangan
5. Nilagrad River - A small but significant mountain river located 6 kms away from hill station Sonamarg. The river's unique reddish coloration, attributed to the presence of iron oxide deposits, is locally believed to possess healing and curative powers, especially for skin ailments.
6. Tulmullah Nallah - This stream originates from springs at Lar town and then merges with Sind River at Narayanbagh village. It is locally called as "Naagpav".
Grape Cultivation
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.Cherry Production
Ganderbal district, with approximately 1,200 hectares of land under cherry cultivation, is considered the hub of the cherry crop, producing around 60 percent of the total cherry output in the Kashmir Valley. Nearly a dozen villages, including Lar, Waliwar, Chuntwaliwar, Gutlibagh, Zazna, Kangan, Dab, Batwina, Yungoora, Wakura, and other areas of the district, are known for producing various varieties of cherries.Apple Production
Ganderbal district is one of the major apple producing districts of Kashmir Valley. Zazna, Nawabagh Badampora, Kurhama, Zarigund, Wakura, Batwina, Khanpora etcetera are major apple producing placesThere are lot of apple varieties cultuvated in Ganderbal like Delicious, American, Golden, Maharaji, Hazratbali etcetera. There is also a Farmers' Market at Zazna were farmer can sell their apple and giving boost to local economy.
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.Historic sites and remains
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 that is used as an offering, and the goddess it is offered to.Naranag Temple
The Naranag Temple 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 in the town of Ganderbal, is at an average elevation of above mean sea level. The town is at a distance of from Srinagar city. The total geographical area of Ganderbal district is 259 km2.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 of the district is engaged with farming. The river sand, 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 :- Kangan
- Ganderbal
- Tullamulla
- Wakura
- Lar
- Gund
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Ganderbal district has a population of 297,446. This gives it a ranking of 572nd in India. The district has a population density of. Ganderbal has a sex ratio of 874 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 58.04% Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 0.04% and 20.53% of the population respectively. 15.81% of the population lives in urban areas.At the time of the 2011 census, 68.92% of the population spoke Kashmiri, 20.21% Gojri, 3.49% Pashto, 2.61% Pahari, 1.33% Shina and 1.31% Hindi as their first language. Gujari makes up 40% of the population in Kangan tehsil. Balti and Shina are also spoken by small populations in the high mountains.
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
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. Hosting the International Championships of Rafting on the Sindh River, it attracts adventure enthusiasts from around the world. The area has seen some development in the form of private hotels offering modern amenities for visitors. 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.Manasbal Lake
Manasbal Lake, located north west of Ganderbal, is a tourist destination known for its scenery and wildlife. Spanning long and wide. It is located in the Jhelum valley, north of Srinagar city. Named after Lake Manasarovar. it is encircled by three villages: Jarokbal, Kondabal and Gratabal with a depth of 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.
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.
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.
Prang
Prang village is 12 kilometres far from the central hub of district Ganderbal, towards the east. Srinagar-Leh National Highway passes right through the middle of this village. This village falls under the jurisdiction of tehsil Kangan.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 is in the adjacent village of Prang.
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".
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.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.