Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 167 (Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : D (HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 182 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 541 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Challenges of the district : Our research with local communities
Following are the social and developmental challenges
of Baramulla district:
The state of overall development in the district is very bad.
Baramulla district has the highest percentage of orphans, widows
and underprivileged in the State.
Number of NGOs or those who cater to psychological needs of such
people are very few in number.
Brief About Baramulla District
Baramulla District is the largest District in entire valley both
with reference to the population and area. The District is spread
over an area of 4588 Sq.Kms and its population according to 2001
Projections is 11.51 lakhs. Baramulla District is bounded by Kupwara
in the North, Budgam and Poonch in the South, parts of Srinagar
and Ladakh in the East and has the line of control in west. The
District is administratively divided into 8 Tehsils, 16 CD Blocks.
Baramulla is no different from other parts of Kashmir Valley.
The food habits, dress pattern, customs and traditions are the
same as followed in other parts of the valley. Kashmiri is the
main language of the people in the District, Pahari and Gojari
are also spoken in Uri and areas near foothills of Gulmarg and
Bandipora, Sheena (Dard) is the local language in Gurez and Tilail
areas. The people also speak Urdu. The city of Baramulla, founded
by Raja Bhimsina held the position of a gate-way to the valley
as it was located on the route to the Valley from Muzaffarabad,
now in POK, and Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan. As such, a number
of prominent visitors have been to Baramulla. These include the
famous chinese visitor Heiun T'Sang and Moorcraft, the British
historian. Mughal Emperors has special fascination for Baramulla.
Being the gate way of the valley it was a halting station for
them during their visits to the Valley. In 1508 A.D.Emperor Akbar
who entered the Valley via Pakhil spent a few days at Baramulla
and according to "Tarikh-e-Hassan" the city during Akbar's
stay, had been decorated like a bride,Jahangir also stayed at
Baramulla during his visit to Kashmir in 1620 A.D. From the very
beginning, Baramulla has enjoyed religious importance. The construction
of Hindu Teeratha and Buddist Vihars made the city scared to Hindus
as well as Buddhists. In the 15th Century, the place became important
to muslims also, as the famous muslim saint, Syed Janbaz Wali,
who visited the valley alongwith his companions in 1421 A.D.chose
Baramulla as the centre of his mission and after death, was burried
there. His shrine attracts Pilgrims from all over the Valley.
In 1894 the sixth Sikh Guru Shri Hargobind Ji visited the city
and Gurdawara "Chatti Padshahi" was constructed in his
memory, Baramulla thus became an abode of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists
and Sikhs living in harmoney and contributing to a rich composite
culture.
History of Baramulla
The city of Baramulla, founded by Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BC held
the position of a gate-way to the valley as it was located on
the route to the Valley from Muzaffarabad (now in POK) and Rawalpindi
(now in Pakistan). As such, a number of prominent visitors have
been to Baramulla. These include the famous Chinese visitor Heiun
T'Sang and Moorcraft, the British historian. Mughal Emperors has
special fascination for Baramulla. Being the gateway of the valley
it was a halting station for them during their visits to the Valley.
In 1508 AD Emperor Akbar who entered the Valley via Pakhil spent
a few days at Baramulla and according to "Tarikh-e-Hassan"
the city during Akbar's stay, had been decorated like a bride.
Jahangir also stayed at Baramulla during his visit to Kashmir
in 1620 AD. From the very beginning, Baramulla has enjoyed religious
importance. The construction of Hindu Teeratha and Buddhist Vihars
made the city scared to Hindus as well as Buddhists. In the 15th
Century, the place became important to Muslims also, as the famous
Muslim saint, Syed Janbaz Wali, who visited the valley along with
his companions in 1421 AD chose Baramulla as the centre of his
mission, and after death was buried here. His shrine attracts
pilgrims from all over the Valley. In 1894, the sixth Sikh Guru
Shri Hargobind Ji visited the city and Gurudwara "Chatti
Padshahi" was constructed in his memory. Baramulla thus became
an abode of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs living in harmony
and contributing to a rich composite culture.
Geography
The Baramulla District is the largest District in entire valley
both with reference to the population and area. The District is
spread over an area of 4588 Sq. Kms. The Baramulla District is
bounded by Kupwara in the North, Budgam and Poonch in the South,
parts of Srinagar and Ladakh in the East and has the line of control
in west.
The district is divided into 8 Tehsils, 16 CD Blocks. The eight
tehsils of Baramulla are Uri, Sopore, Gurez, Tangmarg, Baramulla,
Sumbal, Pattan and Bandipora. The Sixteen blocks of the district
are Uri, Boniyar, Baramulla, Wagoora, Pattan, Rafiabad, Rohama,
Tangmarg, Sopore, Zaingeer, Bandipora, Hajin, Sumbal, Gurez, Kunzer
and Singhpora.
Climate
Climate Baramulla district has severe cold climate in winter and
a pleasant weather in summer. Each part of the district experiences
snowfall during winter. Road to Gurez remains closed during winter
due to snowfall. Snowfall in Gulmarg is known for winter sports.
Average annual rainfall in District Baramulla has been recorded
as 1270 mm. The district is worth visiting in the winters for
enjoying the Snowfall and for winter sports, and also in the summers
for enjoying the pleasant climate.
Approach
District Headquarter Baramulla is located about 60 Kms. from Srinagar.
There is a National Highway (NH-1A) connecting the district to
the rest of the country. The general approach to the whole of
the District is through road transport i.e. Taxi and Buses. Taxi
and busses are available from Srinagar and Jammu. The nearest
Airport is that of Srinagar about 65 Kms from District Headquarters.
The nearest Railway Station is Jammu Tawi, about 360 Kms from
District Headquarters. A new railway line is under construction
which will connect Baramulla to Jammu Tawi through Budgam, Srinagar,
Pulwama, Baramulla, Doda and Udhampur.
Special/Unique about Baramulla
Gulmarg, Tangmarg and Khilanmarg, being full with natural endowments,
scenic splendor, places of tourist interest round the year, snow
claded mountain peaks and challenging tracks; allure the tourists,
adventurers and trekkers not only from India but also from abroad.
Winter sports in Gulmarg attract sports persons from all over
the world.
Baramulla is the largest producer of Horticulture products in
the state. There are vast apple orchids in District. World-class
apples are grown here.
Baramulla has a Rabbit Farm in Palhallan, Pattan. There are only
two rabbit farms in Northern India. The another one is in Himachal
Pradesh.
Baramulla has a good Silk Worm breeding unit in Mir Gund, Pattan.
There are three powerhouses in the district. These are: Lower
Jehlum Hydel Project at Gantamulla, Mohra Power House and Asthan
Nallah .
