Neelum Valley

Kashmir
Backdrop

On the termination of British rule over the Sub-Continent two independent States,
Pakistan and India emerged in August 1947, in view of geographical, religious and
historical links the people of Jammu & Kashmir State demanded freedom from the
rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and the accession of the State to Pakistan. The
Maharaja, ignoring the wishes of the Muslim majority, instead, entered into an
unfortunate conspiracy with the Hindu leadership and acceded to India. This sparked
the liberation movement of the Muslim population of the State against the Dogra and
Indian forces in Kashmir. As a result of this, a part of the State was liberated from
the Dogra cum Indian domination in October 1947, and named Azad State of Jammu
& Kashmir

General Information

The state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude 73º - 75º and latitude
33º - 36º and comprises of 5,134 square miles or 13,297 square kilometers of area.
The topography is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains.
The area is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding
streams. The main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical
highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from
360 meters in the south to 6325 meters in the north. The snowline is in winter is
around 1200 meters above sea level while in the summer it rises to 3,300 meters.

The total population of 2.973 million according to the Population Census of 1998 is
estimated to be 3.271 million in 2002. Almost 100% population is Muslim. Out of the
total population, 87.5% are living in rural areas while 12.5% are urban residents.
The population density is 246 persons per square kilometer. The literacy rate was
reported as 55% in the 1998 census, is estimated to be 60% in 2002.

According to the most recent available survey by the Northern Resources

Management Program with the assistance of Overseas Economic Research Institute,
the average household income is around Rs. 101,900. Of the total Rs. 60,834
(59.7%) is income from the off-farm and other activities while Rs. 41,065 (40.3%) is
termed as the farm income, which implies that Rs. 14,557 per capita is the total
family income.

The area under cultivation is around 170,787 hectares which is about 12.8% of the
total area of AJK. According to the agricultural census of 1990, the average farm size
is only 1.2 hectares, half of which is cultivated. A large proportion of farm land is
uncultivable waste, including forest. Per Capita land holding is 0.159 hectares. The
major crops are Maize followed by Wheat and Rice while the minor crops include
Grams, Pulses, Oil-Seeds and Vegetables.
The area under fruit cultivation is about 14,460 hectares. The most important fruits
are Apples, Pears, Apricots, Walnuts and Plums. The area controlled by the Forest
Department is about 5100%,969 hectares, which is 42.6% of the total geographical
area. Deodar, Kail, Fur, Spruce and Cheer are some of the most important species of
trees under forests.

People and Culture

Azad Jammu & Kashmir is fascinating land of people, languages & culture. The
texture of present population is composed of races claming their descent from
Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, Turks & Arabs. The people of districts Kotli,
Mirpur & Bhimber, are sturdy, simple, truthful and deeply attached to their land. The
culture of this area resembles to that of the adjoining area of Punjab.

While district Muzaffarabad has its own distinctive culture. The people of the State
are intelligent, ingenious, hard working, mobile & skillful.

Azad Jammu & Kashmir at a Glance

Area of Districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

District Name Area (Sq. Km) Area (%)

Neelum 3621 Sq. Km (27 %)
Muzaffarabad 2496 Sq. Km (19 %)
Bagh 1368 Sq. Km (10 %)
Poonch 855 Sq. Km (7 %)
 Sudhanoti 569 Sq. Km (4 %)
Kotli 1862 Sq. Km (14 %)
Mirpur 1010 Sq. Km (8 %)
Bhimber 1516 Sq. Km (11 %)
Total Area 13297 Sq. Km (100 %)

Population of Districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Population Growth Percentage

District Name
(2003) Rate (%)
Neelum 0.143 Million 2.80 % 4.27 %
Muzaffarabad 0.713 Million 2.80 % 21.28 %
Bagh 0.434 Million 2.00 % 12.96 %
Poonch 0.459 Million 2.24 % 13.70 %
Sudhanoti 0.247 Million 1.99 % 7.38 %
Kotli 0.640 Million 2.59 % 19.10 %
Mirpur 0.371 Million 2.09 % 11.07 %
Bhimber 0.343 Million 2.60 % 10.24 %
Total 3.350 Million 2.41 % 100 %

Population Figures

Male Population 1.685 Million

Female Population 1.665 Million
Sex Ratio (Number of males per 100
101
females)
Average Family Size 7.2 Members
Urban-Rural Ratio 12.5: 87.5
Growth Rate 2.41 %
Population Density 246 Persons per Square Kilometer
Literacy Rate 60 %
Religion 99 % Muslims

Administrative Setup

Divisions 2
Districts 8
Sub-Divisions 20
Union Councils 202
Villages 1,646
Town Committees 10
Development
5
Authorities
Municipal Committees 11
Municipal Corporations 2
Markaz Councils 30
Working Police Stations 42
Divisions Districts Tehsil
 Muzaffarabad,
Muzaffarabad
Hattian
Bagh,
Bagh Dheerkot,
Havaily
Rawalakot,
Muzaffarabad
Poonch Hajeera,
Abbaspur
Pullandri,
Sudhanoti Trarkhal,
Balouch
Neelum Athmaqam
Kotli,
Kotli Nakiyal,
Sehnsa
Mirpur,
Mirpur Mirpur Akalgarh,
Dudyal
Bhimber,
Bhimber Samahni,
Burnala

Geographical Features

Longitude 73º - 75º

Latitude 33º - 36º

Topography: Mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and plains at some places.
Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, Sudhanoti and Kotli districts fall into mountainous zone
while Mirpur and Bhimber districts generally lie in foot hills.

Climate:Sub tropical type Rain: 150 cm. (Average) Elevation from Sea: Range from
South: Range from north: 325 meters. Snowline: In Winter-around 1200 meters. In
Summer - around 3300 meters.
Language:
Official: URDU
Local: Kashmiri, Pahari(or hindko), Gojri, Punjabi and Pushto

Handicrafts: Carpet, Namda, Gubba, Silk Woolen Clothing, Woolen Shawls, Wood
Carving, Paper Mashie, Rugs.

Important Products: Mushroom, Honey, Walnut, Apple, Cherry, Medicinal herbs &
plants, Resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers.

Minerals: Gypsum, Limonite, Mica, Soapstone, Marble, Sand, Ruby, Tourmaline,

Bentonite, Yellow ocher, Phrities, Limestone and Dolomite.

Wildlife: Snow Leopard, Common Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Ibex (Kel), Grey
Goral (Mountain Goat), Musk Deer, Kashmiri Stag, Monal pheasant, Western
Tragopan, Snow Pheasant, Red-led Partridge (Chakor), Black Koklas Pheasant,
Peacock, Eagle, Duck markhor (Wild Goat).

Important Fishes: Snow Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Gulfam, Mahasher,
Rahou.

Lakes:

1. Distt. Neelum Valley - Rati Gali, (Neelum Valley), Jubsar Makra (Bheri)
2. Distt. Neelum Valley- Chitta Kattha Lake, Shonther.
3. Distt. Poonch - Benjosa, (Chottagala)
4. Distt. Mirpur- Mangla
Main Rivers: Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch.

Local Dishes: Rice, Aab-Gosht, Tabak Maaz, Ristay, Gushtaba, Hareesa, Saag
(vegetable Dish).

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:

Neelum: Red Fort Neelum Valley, Sharda Ruins (Old Buddhist Sharda University
Ruins), Sharda Fort

Bagh: Bagh Fort

Mirpur: 1) Mangla Fort, 2) Ramkot Fort, 3) Baghsar Fort (Bhimber)

Kotli:1. Throchi Fort

Ref: http://www.pmajk.gov.pk/history.asp#features