Ganderbal

Ganderbal
Town
View of Ganderbal town in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Ganderbal Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India Show map of Jammu and Kashmir Ganderbal Ganderbal (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 34°14′N 74°47′E / 34.23°N 74.78°E / 34.23; 74.78
Country	India
Union Territory	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Ganderbal
Named after	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.nic.in

Ganderbal (Urdu pronunciation: [ɡɑːnd̪əɾbəl] ; Kashmiri pronunciation: [ɡaːnd̪arbal]) is a city and the headquarters of Ganderbal district in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in disputed Kashmir region. Ganderbal, known for its natural environment and scenery, has tourist sites like Sonamarg and Manasbal Lake, and the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage also traverses through Ganderbal district.

Ganderbal is located at 34°14′N 74°47′E / 34.23°N 74.78°E / 34.23; 74.78.^[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.

As of 2011^[update] India census,^[5] Ganderbal had a population of 297446.^[6] 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.^[7]

The Municipal Committee Ganderbal is an Urban Local Body with 17 elected members. Its last elections took place on 16 October 2018.^[8]

Keys:   BJP (2)   INC (2)   Independent (13)

• Universities
  • Central University of Kashmir at Tulmulla.^[9]

• • Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir's 3 facilities are located in Ganderbal:
  • Fisheries at Rangil,^[10]
  • Forestry at Benhama,^[10]
  • Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry at Shuhama).^[10]

• Degree colleges
  • Royal Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Darend,^[10]
  • Government Degree College, Ganderbal,^[10]
  • Government College of Engineering and Technology, Safapora,^[10]
  • Government College of Physical Education, Gadoora,^[10]
  • Government Degree College, Kangan,^[10]
  • Government Unani Medical College/Hospital, Nawabagh,^[10]
  • Qamariya College of Education and Training, Badampora,^[10]
  • Physical Education College, Gadoora, the only physical education college in J&K.

• Vocational education
  • Government Polytechnic College, Hathbura,^[10]
  • ITI, Ganderbal,^[10]
  • ITI, Kangan,^[10]

• Schools
  • Sainik School, Manasbal,^[10]
  • Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Hathbura.^[10]

The Sind River, a major tributary to the Jhelum River, has the following dams which are used for generating hydroelectricity and regulating water for the irrigation:

• Lower Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project Ganderbal^[11]
• Upper Sindh Stage-I Hydroelectric Power Project at Kangan^[11]
• Upper Sindh Stage-II Hydroelectric Power Project at Sumbal.^[11]

Besides, Rangil Water Treatment Plant purifies the water of the Sind River for drinking by Srinagar city.^[11]

Water 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^[12] 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.

Ganderbal is well-connected by road to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by the NH 1.

Ganderbal is not connected with railways. The nearest railway station is Srinagar railway station located at a distance of 31 kilometres.

The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport located at a distance of 30 kilometres.

• Babawayil

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