Khrew

Geography

Khrew is located at 34.02°N 74.98°E / 34.02; 74.98. It has an average elevation of 1,607 metres (5,272 feet). Khrew is known town in Kashmir valley. The area starts from Babapora till Seer and from Bathen to Ondrusa.

As of 2014 India census, Khrew had a population of 18411. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Khrew has an average literacy rate of 42%, lower than the national average of 65.8%: male literacy is 22.08%, and female literacy is 20.00%. In Khrew, 17% of the population is under 15 years of age.

Surrounding areas

It is surrounded on all sides by small villages known as Androssa, Shar-e-Shali,Wuyan,Bathen,Nagandar,Satpokhran,WahabSobun etc. Androssa is a small village with population around 2000. WahabSabun is a small village named after a great Kashmiri poet WAHAB SAHAB. Who was a great kashmiri poet and had written many spiritual poems in kashmiri.

Holy places

Khrew is also famous for an important temple of Kashmiri Pandits. It is a temple which is dedicated to Jawala Bhagwati - the Goddess of fire. In December 2014 this temple caught fire unfortunately due to short circuiting. The temple is reached by a flight of stone steps. Mela Jawala Mukhi is held here annually on the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Savan (July–August) when pilgrims visit this shrine from all corners of the country. At bottom of the hillock is a spring where people take a dip before making the ascent.

The holy shrines of Muslims in Khrew are Sabir Shah, Syed Mantaqi, Amanullah Khan Sahab and Baba Qasim Sahab.

Economy

The cement factories, mega stone crusher's, Saffron growing by the farmers and the business of saffron, almonds and walnuts are the main economic drivers of Khrew. The Cement has generated good employment in the area but at the same time due to air pollution caused by the dust coming out of chimney these factories, there has been considerable decline in production of wall nuts, almonds, saffron and other crops.

In March 2009 four more cement factories started in this area. The name of the cement industries are:-J&K Cements additional line of 600TPD, TCI, Dawar, Cemtac, Green Valley, H.K Cements and ICC.

Education

There are 7 private English medium schools, and two higher secondaries in Khrew, one for boys and one for girls.

Health

There is one government hospital of approx 20 bed. This hospital provides basic health-care facilities to the patients.

Health of people is also severely affected. According to the report from the WHO, Khrew has a more death rate than any other town in the district due to these poisonous gases. These factories emit 100,000 kilograms of toxic fumes, poisonous gases and life-threatening elements in the air on daily basis. Lung disease is the main killer, second Kidney Failure and third Heart Diseases, these poisonous gases were declared responsible according to the report. The report also suggested that pollution control must intervene and check these factories on monthly basis whether the pollution control devices are functioning properly.

Springs

Khrew has 7 springs flow through this town. Once known for their crystal clear waters, these water bodies have lost their traditional stature due to the unchecked pollution emanating from various cement factories, rendering these springs stagnant and lifeless.

Saffron

Khrew is a producer of saffron. According to survey by agriculture departments Khrew is the fourth cultivator of saffron in India. The estimation given by (The saffron dealer of khrew) "Khrew has a capability to grow miniumum 385 kg of saffron in a year". According a businessman he stated that up to 2004 they were dealing up to 248 kg of saffron in a year but the problem occurred by these cement industries have shown great decline in this cultivation. In 2012 we have not done deal of saffron more than 73 kg. Which is showing that the loss of capacity to grow in land by the chemicals and dust.