| Voice of Baramulla
: Muhammad Iqbal

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.
Baramulla
District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Geographical Area : 4588.0 Km2
Population in Baramula (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 1015503
Male : 542171
Female : 473332
Under 6 population
Total : 161841
Male : 86711
Female : 75130
Disabled
population
Total disabled population : 45152
In seeing : 34021
In speech : 1834
In hearing : 1103
In movement : 4064
Mental : 4130
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org
Analysis )
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

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 .
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