PAHALGAM
Pahalgam is a town and a municipal committee in Anantnag Districtt in India's northernmost state of jammu and kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination, and every year, many tourists visit Pahalgam.This world famous hill station is 45 km. from the District Head Quarter at Anantnag and located on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7200 ft. from sea level. Pahalgam is one among the five tehsils of Anantnag district and tehsil head quarters are located in the main town of Pahalgam. It was once a tourist attraction and a favourite place for shooting of Bollywood films, and is still a health resort. Besides tourist huts, several hotels in private sector have come up here and these hotels provide modern facilities to their guests. A number of treks in this region also begin from Pahalgam, as the 35 km trail traverses through pinewoods to the spectacular Kolahoi Glacier.
Pahalgam is also associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari (2,895 m), 16 km from Pahalgam, is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the month of Sawan (July to August). The road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain and can be undertaken by car. From Chandanwari onwards the track becomes much steeper, and is accessible on foot or by pony. About 11 km from Chandanwari is the mountain lake of Sheshnag (3,574 m), after which, 13 km away is the last stop, Panchtarni. The Amarnath cave is 6 km away from there. During the month of Sawan, an ices talagmite forms a natural Shivling in the Amarnath cave.
GEOGRAPHY
Pahalgam holds a central position in the Lidder Valley. It has an average elevation of 2740 metres (8989 feet).CLIMATE
Pahalgam has Sub-Tropical Highland climate with long and cold winter with short and mild summer.Climate data for Pahalgam | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) | 4.2 (39.6) | 12.1 (53.8) | 15.5 (59.9) | 18.5 (65.3) | 19.6 (67.3) | 20.1 (68.2) | 19.1 (66.4) | 16.4 (61.5) | 12.5 (54.5) | 8.1 (46.6) | 3.2 (37.8) | 12.61 (54.71) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −4 (25) | −0.2 (31.6) | 0.4 (32.7) | 5.9 (42.6) | 7.8 (46) | 9.4 (48.9) | 10.1 (50.2) | 9.5 (49.1) | 8.1 (46.6) | 3.8 (38.8) | −1.9 (28.6) | −2.5 (27.5) | 3.87 (38.97) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 48 (1.89) | 68 (2.68) | 121 (4.76) | 85 (3.35) | 68 (2.68) | 39 (1.54) | 62 (2.44) | 76 (2.99) | 28 (1.1) | 33 (1.3) | 28 (1.1) | 54 (2.13) | 710 (27.96) |
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of 2001 India Pahalgam had a population of 5922. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Pahalgam has an average literacy rate of 35%, lower than the Indian national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 49%, and female literacy is 17%. In Pahalgam, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.HISTORY
On August 1, 2000, at least 32 people including 23 Amarnath pilgrims and at least two police were killed when Kashmiri separatist terrorists threw hand grenades and attacked a hotel and police camp with small arms. Four police officials were suspended after a committee inquiry determined that 'excessive firing' by security forces contributed to casualties in the massacre.
PAHALGAM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
For effective management of the erstwhile Pahalgam Project Organization, the Pahalgam Development Authority is headed by a Chief Executive Officer who shall also function as Administrator/Chairman of local Town Area Committee/Notified Area Committee. This is a part of the Tourism Department.The area holds a rich cover of vegetation, the dominant forest consisting of conifers which account for over 90%. The principal species are Cedrus deodara, Pinus griffithii, Abies pindrow, Aesculus indica etc. The major shrubs are Indigofera heterantha, Viburnum spp., Sorbaria tomentosa etc. the ground cover is very rich and dicotyledonus herbs dominate: Rumex patientia, Primula spp., anemone spp., etc.There are many species of rare, endangered and protected species. The main species are hangul, musk deer, serow, brown bear, Leopard, rhesus macaque, grey langur, Himalayan mouse hare, etc.Wild bears still roam much of the area, and local villagers are on constant alert for their presence. Due to the constant threat of illegal border crossings, the Indian army is always patrolling the area and is on constant high alert. As the local population cannot carry firearms, this has saved the bears from being hunted to extinction. With the abundance of fresh trout in the rivers and local farm animals, they have plenty to eat. Monkeys also populate the area.
Kolhoi Glacier
Kolohoi Glacier, situated up the Lidder Valley, just below peak is currently a hanging glacier. It is accessible from Pahalgam via Aru It is known to have extended for at least 35 km in the past. It is basically hollowed out from global warming, the Asian brown cloud, and local environmental factors associated with mountain hydrology. According to the mountaineers from Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering (JIM) in 2008, the glacier has receded by half since 1985. The glacier is not safe to study because it is hollow and in places has 200-foot-deep (61 m) crevices.
Betaab Valley
Bataab valley is a very famous tourist spot situated at a distance of 15 kilometers from Pahalgam. The valley got its name from the Sunny Deol-Amrita Singh hit debut film Betaab. The Valley is towards northeast of Pahalgam and falls between Pahalgam and Chandanwadi and is en route Amarnath Yatra. The valley surrounded by lush green meadows, snow clad mountains and covered with dense vegetation.[
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