Bandipora

Geography

Bandipora is situated on the banks of the Wular, the largest fresh-water lake in Asia which is home to a lot of migratory birds. Inadvertent dumping of the polluted river waters and sewage affluence has led to a pandemic growth of algae in the waters of the Wular which is threatening the lake and its supporting life itself. The main source of pollution to Wular is Jehlum river. Jehlum river carries all the wastes from Srinagar city and other surrounding areas and deposits it in Wular. Despite being the richest wetland of South Asia and Largest Fresh water lake in Asia, no steps have been taken to save Wular. Bandipora is also a stepping town to the higher reaches of Razdan, Gurez and Tragbal.

The famous Lolab valley in Kupwara district is adjacent to the Bandipora. It is just 30 km from Bandipora via Aaloosa village. Once this road is upgraded it will become a lifeline of the Lolab valley and it will provide an additional route to the Kupwara district.

Bandipora was the connecting link between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village there was a custom and immigration department which is now a forest check post. Due to the fact, Bandipora is also known as Gateway to Central Asia. There are strong links between skardu gurez and Bandipora.

Tehsils

Bandipora is divided into seven tehsils

Demographics

As of 2001 Indian census, Bandipora had a population of 25,714. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bandipora has an average literacy rate of 57.82%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 65% of the males and 35% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

It has a Muslim majority though there are a few villages where Pandits also lived before their migration to the other parts of the country. The Pandit population were in large numbers at Ajar, Kaloosa, Kharapora, Mantrigam Aragam etc. Some Pandit families at Ajar and Kaloosa did not migrate. The temple at Kaloosa, known as Sharda Mandir, dates back to old times. It has a very big and old tree which is a few hundred years old and is a rare tree of its type. This is popularly known as Bran, a revered tree. There are many villages in this newly formed district named after Hindu gods and goddesses such as Chakreshipora, named after Chakerishwar. The forest training school of Kashmir is located in Bandipora. It was established in 1905. This institute is a premier body in the conservation process of the forest department.

The majority of the population speak Kashmiri. Gojri and Pahari are also spoken. Tehsil Gurez is Shina-speaking and has a Shina majority. There are few Pashtun villages on the Line of Control. The famous Kishan Ganga Hydro Electric Project is also located in the Gurez Tehsil of Bandipora. Project is worth Rs. 2700 Crore (Rs. 27 billion).It will generate electricity of 330 MW, which will be distributed from Kashmir.

Education

The literacy rate in the main town of Bandipora and adjoining areas is quite high. The Pandit population had nearly 100 percent literacy. Waseem Bilal Shah, hailing from a small village Rampore, Bandipora, became the first global business head for Adobe Systems Incorporated (EMEA) region. Waseem is the first Kashmiri who has been directly nominated by the vice-president of the company "Matt Thompson" for this position while he introduced few plugins for the newly released Adobe Flash player in 2012. He is considered to be a role model in the organization and has been awarded several times for his innovative work.

Towns and villages

The main township of Bandipora is called Plan. The name stuck after the area was constructed under a plan approved by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, Ex. Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, on his visit to incinerated town of Bandipora in 1963. The important villages of Bandipora are Nowpora, Naz Colony, Dachigam, Ahamshareef, Arampora, Ajar, Aloosa, Aragam, Arin, Ashtangoo, Athatoo, Ayathmullah, Barazullah, Badibeth, Badiyara, Bonakoot, Binlipora, Boothu, Brar, Braripora, Chittiybanday, Chountimullah, Doban, Dardpora, Dharamhama, Gamroo, Garoora, Gund-i-Dachina, Gundpora, Gund-i-Qaiser, Guzarbal, Kaloosa, Kanibathi, Kehnoosa, Ketson, Kunusa, Kudara, Kemah, Khayar, Kharapora, Kralpora, Konan, Lawaypora, Lowdara, Laharwalpora, Lankreshipora, Mader, Malangam, Mangnipora, Mantrigam, Muqaam, Nadihal, Nusoo, Onagam, Paanaar, Panzigam, Papachan, Patushai, Pethkoot, Qazipora, Quil, Rampora, Saderkot, Sheikhpora, Sonarwani, Sumlar, Tangath, Turkpora, Wanagam, Watapora, Vewan, Zuri-manz etc.

One of the sacred places of the Hindus is Danishwar, locally also called Chota Amar Nath. It is a cave in dense forests of Arin. Pilgrims have to climb up about 60 meters to reach a cave where there are engraved features of Lord Shiva. People used to go there on the Sharvan Purnima, the date on which Amar Nath Yatra is being performed.

Attractions

Bandipora is the location of the Forest Training and Research Institute in Jammu and Kashmir. It is 3 km distance from the main town. The Darul-Ullom-Rehamia (School for Philosophers) is the largest religious institution in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the largest Islamic institution of valley.

Bandipora is known for trekking, mountaineering and fishing. The famous Arin Nallah is home to one of the most exotic trout (Rainbow Trout, Silver Trout and Gray Trout).

Mount Harmukh

For mountaineers Mt Harmukh remains the main attraction, It is located in the eastern side of the town. Commercial cabs ply on that route till Kudara that is the farthest point where the cabs stop, and there onwards the terrain becomes hilly and one has to track [17 km] till the higher reaches of Mount Harmukh, Sheera Sar [Lake of Spirits] acts as a base camp for all the mountaineering expeditions for Mt Harmukh. In the north lies Gurez, 86 km from Bandipora. Commercial cabs ply on this route during summers, however in winters the route remains closed due to heavy snowfall.

The place is surrounded by areas of scenic beauty and ranges such as Sirandar, Kudara, Vewan, Mowa and Tresangam, all of which are inhabited by the Gujjars ("Bakarwals"). Although being a scenic place where peace and tranquility is in the environment, Bandipora has never been considered a tourist place and does not appear anywhere on the tourist map issued by Jammu and Kashmir State Tourism department.