Ganderbal
Ganderbal (ur ; ks) is a city and the headquarters of Ganderbal district in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in disputed Kashmir region. Ganderbal, known for its natural environment and scenery, has tourist sites like Sonamarg and Manasbal Lake, and the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage also traverses through Ganderbal district.
Geography
[edit | edit source]It has an average elevation of 1,619 metres (5,312 feet) above sea level. It is bordered by the Srinagar district in the south, Bandipore to the north, Kargil in the northeast, Anantnag to the southeast and Baramulla to the southwest.
Ganderbal is divided into two divisions viz. Kangan and Ganderbal. Ganderbal division is mainly flat lands while as Kangan is Side valley of larger Kashmir Valley. Through Kangan Valley there flows Sind River known for river rafting separates Greater Himalayas from north eastern part of Zabarwan Range. Sonamarg lies in this Kangan valley. On the Greater Himalayan side of Ganderbal there lies a famous Harmukh mountain from which the worlds second highest mountain K2 was first discovered. Ganderbal is also known for its high alpine lakes viz. Gangbal Lake, Nundkol Lake Gadsar Vishansar Krishansar Lake Satsar (small seven lakes) and numerous unnamed lakes. Through these lakes runs a summer famous KGL trek. On lower parts Sind river before entering into Jhelum River lies a Ramsar site Shallabugh Wetland.[1]
Manasbal Lake a popular tourist resort lies on the northern part of Ganderbal, which is known for its appearance of bluish colour. Ganderbal also share Anchar Lake with Srinagar, which is known for its Nadru (Lotus Root).
Demographics
[edit | edit source]As of 2011[update] India census,[2] Ganderbal had a population of 297446.[3] Males constitute 53.36% of the population and females 46.64%. Ganderbal has an average literacy rate of 58.04%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 68.85%, and female literacy is 45.71%. In Ganderbal, 17.01% of the population is under 6 years of age.[4]
Politics
[edit | edit source]The Municipal Committee Ganderbal is an Urban Local Body with 17 elected members. Its last elections took place on 16 October 2018.[5]
Keys: Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2
| # | Name | Municipal Ward | Reservation Status | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samia Ahad | Beehama Nagripora | Women Open | Independent |
| 2 | Abdul Rashid Rather | Beehama Wahid Sahib | Open | Independent |
| 3 | Jeelani Ahmed Mir | Ganderbal A | Open | BJP |
| 4 | Haleema | Ganderbal B | Women Open | Independent |
| 5 | Showkat Ahmad Mir | Arampora A | Open | Independent |
| 6 | Altaf Ahmad Lone | Arampora B | Open | Independent |
| 7 | Mehak Shah | Duderhama Gousia | Women Open | INC |
| 8 | Hilal Ahmad Tantray | Duderhama | Open | Independent |
| 9 | Nazir Ahmad Ganaie | Fathipora A | Open | Independent |
| 10 | Rashida Bano | Fatehpora B | Women Open | Independent |
| 11 | Ghulam Hassan Dar | Gangerhama A | Open | Independent |
| 12 | Bashir Ahmad Koul | Gangerhama B | Open | Independent |
| 13 | Nabla | Wanipora | Women Open | Independent |
| 14 | Sajjad Ahmad | Bamloora | Open | INC |
| 15 | Lateef Ahmad | Saloora A | Open | BJP |
| 16 | Sara | Saloora B | Women Open | Independent |
| 17 | Abdul Majid | Saloora C | Open | Independent |
Economy
[edit | edit source]Education
[edit | edit source]- Universities
- Central University of Kashmir at Tulmulla.[6]
- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir's 3 facilities are located in Ganderbal:
- Fisheries at Rangil,[7]
- Forestry at Benhama,[7]
- Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at Shuhama).[7]
- Degree colleges
- Royal Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Darend,[7]
- Government Degree College, Ganderbal,[7]
- Government College of Engineering and Technology, Safapora,[7]
- Government College of Physical Education, Gadoora,[7]
- Government Degree College, Kangan,[7]
- Government Unani Medical College/Hospital, Nawabagh,[7]
- Qamariya College of Education and Training, Badampora,[7]
- Physical Education College, Gadoora, the only physical education college in J&K.
- Vocational education
- Schools
Power Generation
[edit | edit source]The Sind River, a major tributary to the Jhelum River, has the following dams which are used for generating hydroelectricity and regulating water for the irrigation:
- Lower Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project Ganderbal[8]
- Upper Sindh Stage-I Hydroelectric Power Project at Kangan[8]
- Upper Sindh Stage-II Hydroelectric Power Project at Sumbal.[8]
Besides, Rangil Water Treatment Plant purifies the water of the Sind River for drinking by Srinagar city.[8]
Tourism
[edit | edit source]Water rafting tournaments are being organised at the tourist destination of Sonamarg every year, to boost the tourism industry of Kashmir valley. Besides Manasbal lake, Gangabal Lake[9] at the foot of Mount Haramukh is one of the destinations of foreign tourists visiting the valley. Vaishnosar Lake and Gadsar Lake are situated north of Sonamarg.
Transport
[edit | edit source]Road
[edit | edit source]Ganderbal is well-connected by road to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by the NH 1.
Rail
[edit | edit source]Ganderbal is not connected with railways. The nearest railway station is Srinagar railway station located at a distance of 31 kilometres.
Air
[edit | edit source]The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport located at a distance of 30 kilometres.
Water
[edit | edit source]Manasbal lake, Anchar Lake Lower area of Sind River are navigable in Shikaras. Shikaras in Sind River are used as sand collection, fishing and to cross river in some remote area. Water navigation is essential in those low-lying areas.
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve".
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ census of India official website, www.census2011.co.in
- ↑ this is census of India 2011, www.census2011.co.in
- ↑ http://ceojammukashmir.nic.in/pdf/municipal%20Election/Result_Notifi_Corp.pdf Template:Bare URL PDF
- ↑ Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal | CareerPages Archived 23 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Careerpages.in. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 "Colleges/Universities | District Ganderbal, Government of Jammu and Kashmir | India".
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Rangil Water Treatment Plant finds hard to feed tail-end areas Lastupdate:- Fri, 4 Sep 2009 18:30:00 GMT. Greaterkashmir.com (4 September 2009). Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
- ↑ Gangabal Lake in India. India9.com (7 June 2005). Retrieved on 2011-12-14.