Ganderbal is a city and the headquarters of Ganderbal district in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in disputed Kashmir region. It is in Central Kashmir; and has an average elevation of 1,619 metres (5,312 feet). Ganderbal is bordered by district Srinagar District in the south, Bandipora District to the north, Kargil District (union territory of Ladakh) in the northeast, Anantnag District to the southeast, and Baramulla District in the southwest. The current District Magistrate of Ganderbal is Mr. Shyambir Singh (IAS) and the current Superintendent of police is Mr. Waseem Qadri (JKPS).Ganderbal is renowned for its beauty, boasting numerous picturesque places and captivating landscapes. Sonamarg is the most famous place in Ganderbal; Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is also traversed through Ganderbal district. Manasbal Lake famous for natural and purity of water as compared to other water lakes of the Kashmir Valley.
Ganderbal | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 View of Ganderbal town in Jammu and Kashmir, India | |
  Ganderbal Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India  Ganderbal Ganderbal (India) | |
| Coordinates: 34°14′N 74°47′E / 34.23°N 74.78°E | |
| Country |  India |
| Union Territory | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Ganderbal |
| Named for | Beauty |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,049 km2 (405 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,619 m (5,312 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 297,446 |
| • Density | 1,148/km2 (2,970/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Ganderbali, Ganderbalian, Ganderbaluk, Ganderbalia |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kashmiri, Urdu, English[1][2] |
| • Spoken | Kashmiri, Pahari, Gujari, Shina, Balti, Pashto |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | JK16 |
| Website | ganderbal |
Geography
editGanderbal is located at 34°14′N 74°47′E / 34.23°N 74.78°E.[3] 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. It is divided into six Tehsils viz, Ganderbal, Kangan, Lar, Tulmulla, Gund and Wakura. Ganderbal is the smallest district in Jammu and Kashmir by area, covering 259 square kilometers.
Power project
editThe Sind River, a major tributary to the Jhelum River flows through this district. The water of the river is mainly used for irrigation, and generation of hydroelectricity. There are three hydroelectric power stations, Lower Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project Ganderbal, Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 1st Kangan and Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 2nd Sumbal generating electricity on the Sind River. Besides, the water of the river is used for drinking by Srinagar city through Rangil Water Treatment Plant.[4]
Tourism
editWater 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[5] 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.
Development
editDespite the fact that in the past Ganderbal has remained CM's[6] constituency,[7] it has remained quite behind in development as compared to other districts. Ganderbal constituency was represented by Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar who defeated Qazi Mohammad Afzal by a little margin of 461 votes in recently held state assembly elections 2014. The Central University of Kashmir[8] is being constructed in district Ganderbal. Three Faculties, the Faculty of Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir are also located within the jurisdiction of Ganderbal, serving to boost the economy and education of the district. Besides, there is a stadium which holds a record of playing a day-night matches Physical Education College, the only one in the state, is situated at Gadoora village, some 3.5 km away from district headquarters.
Demographics
editAs of 2011[update] India census,[10] Ganderbal had a population of 297446.[11] 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.[12]
Politics
editThe Municipal Committee Ganderbal is an Urban Local Body with 17 elected members. Its last elections took place on 16 October 2018.[13]
Keys: BJP (2) INC (2) Independent (13)
| # | 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 |
Education
editThe following educational institutes are located within Ganderbal:[14]
- Central University of Kashmir Tulmulla
- Government Degree College, Ganderbal
- Sainik School, Manasbal
- Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir facilities of Fisheries (Rangil), Forestry (Benhama), Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (Shuhama)
- Government College of Engineering and Technology, Safapora
- Government College of Physical Education, Gadoora
- Government Degree College, Kangan
- Government Polytechnic College, Hathbura
- Government Unani Medical College/Hospital, Nawabagh
- ITI, Ganderbal
- ITI, Kangan
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Hathbura
- Paramedical College, Kangan
- Qamariya College of Education and Training, Badampora
These institutions play a significant role in shaping the educational landscape of Ganderbal and contribute to the academic development of the region.
Transport
editRoad
editGanderbal is well-connected by road to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by the NH 1.
Rail
editGanderbal is not connected with railways. The nearest railway station is Srinagar railway station located at a distance of 31 kilometres.
Air
editThe nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport located at a distance of 30 kilometres.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Ganderbal. Fallingrain.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
- ^ Electoral constituency
- ^ Central University of Kashmir, Ganderbal | CareerPages Archived 23 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Careerpages.in. Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
- ^ "Ganderbal Town Population". Census India. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ^ 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 [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Colleges/Universities | District Ganderbal, Government of Jammu and Kashmir | India".