Surankote (town)
Surankote is a town in the Surankote Tehsil of the Poonch district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and [Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]. It occupies the Surankote valley, located between the Pir Panjal and ranges within the Himalayas. It receives snowfall in winters. It is famous for the existence of lakes on the Pir Panjal range which are not still connected with the outside world. Although some people visit these lakes by foot for recreation and refreshment.
Geography
Surankote township is located at some 27 kilometres to the south-east of Poonch city and 221 kilometres from winter capital Jammu. The valley comprises 33 villages. The total projected population of the valley is 124,755 which includes Paharis, Gujjars, Bakerwals and a visible Kashmiri minority. Twenty-four villages are located on the western slopes of the main Pir [Panjal Range|Pir Panjal range] while 19 villages are found on the slopes of the Rattan Panchal range. The climatic conditions resemble that of Kashmir. Some high peaks of this valley can be seen from Lahore on a very clear day the highest peak is Tatakuti standing at 15502 ft. With crystal-clear water, the alpine lakes viz. Sukhsar, Neelsar, Bhagsar, Katorasar, Kaldachnisar and Nandansar, fall in this region. The historical waterfalls, Noori chamb falls in Behramgala of this region. In local dialect the passes, alpine lakes and meadows are called gallies, sars and margs or dhoks respectively. Some of the common dhoks in Poonch are Girjan, Panjtari, Isanwali, Nainsukh, Dharamarg, Pirmarg and Sarimastan etc.Demographics
As of the 2011 census Surankot has a population of 8,892. Males constitute 53% of the population while females form 47% share. The average literacy is 73%.Islam is followed by almost 86% population. Paharis are an agricultural tribe and are estimated to be the largest community living in Surankote.