CHAPTER – X
10.1 Situated 55 Kms of south-east of Srinagar, Anantnag District lies between 30°-30′ to 34°-15′ north latitude and approximately 70° to 75° east longitude. Having an area of 76,140 hects, as per revenue papers, the district is contiguous to District Pulwama in the north-west and District Srinagar in the north. The District is bounded in the east by Districts of Doda as well as Kishtwar while District Kulgam falls on its west and Kargil on its north east.
10.2 The District acquires the name from its main town, which during the Hindu Rule was named after the spring situated within it. The town had gained significance during Auranzeb’s time when his governor Islam Khan laid out a garden here for the Mughal Emperor and the place was named after him as “Islam-abad”. Subsequently during the Dogra Rule Maharaja Gulab Singh re-christened the town as Anantnag. Although the town is officially called Anantnag but publicly this town is still commonly called by both the names.
10.3 Anantnag as Wazarat head quarter, dating far back, has been one of the administrative divisions since 1872. In 1892 Srinagar was even made part of Wazarat Anantnag.
10.4 The National Highway 1-A, which is the main overland approach to the valley connecting Jammu with Srinagar passes through the District immediately after crossing the famous Jawahar Tunnel “The Gateway of Kashmir” across the Pir Panjal mountainous range. The District with better location and developed infrastructure has by virtue of its internal road network easy accessibility almost to all the places within the District.
10.5 The District is famous for its springs, health resorts and places of religious importance and of historical significance. Anantnag has an abundance of springs which is locally called “Nag”. Verinag – 26 kms from Anantnag emanating from the foothills of pine forests is the main source of the major river of the valley the “Jehlum”. Kokernag the well known sweet water spring with trout hatcheries, Achabal spring surrounded by beautiful garden laid out during the Mughal period, and Martand (Mattan) spring with religious significance are the places of tourist attraction.
Situated at a height of 2195 meters above sea level, Pahalgam is the premier summer resort besides being the starting point for the pilgrims to Amarnath cave located at an altitude of 3963 meters above sea level. The majestic Martand temple situated at a distance of 5 Kms from Anantnag is one of the important archaeological sites of the country.
10.6 Agriculture is the mainstay of about 80% of population. On account of fertile lands with better productivity, the District is known as “Granary of Kashmir”. The lower part of the District is flood prone. In the higher reaches there is dry and fresh fruit-culture. Breng area of the district enjoys the monopoly in the production of quality walnut while Shahabad is known for production of quality apple.
10.7 Government order no. 947/GAD of 2006 dated 31st July 2006 sanctioned the creation of new administrative units creating Kulgam District out of the existing Anantnag District. In connection with the fixing of geographical boundaries between the Districts of Kulgam and Anantnag various suggestions were put forth by cross section of people. The matter was discussed with the District administration for knowing their view point. The Committee visited different areas of these Districts for making an on spot assessment.
The suggestions/demands presented to the Committee are summed up as under:-
i. It was suggested to consider the National Highway-1A as the dividing line between the districts of Anantnag and Kulgam beyond Wanpoh upto Vessu. The Committee accompanied by the administrative machinery had an occasion of visiting the area. The proposed suggestion involves the transfer of three villages namely Nowatoo, Chirhamma and Lalipora- Malpora from Halqa Larm-Gangipora as well as four villages viz Neerpora, Furrah, Zudder and Bumthan of Halqa Neepora (total seven villages) from Kulgam Tehsil to Anantnag Tehsil.
All the seven villages which are presently part of Kulgam Tehsil fall on the left side of National Highway while approaching from Srinagar in the strip between Wanpoh and Vessu. The residents of these villages forcefully demanded for the inclusion of these villages in Tehsil Anantnag on the ground of being situated near the town Anantnag with easy road connectivity.
ii. During the visit of Committee the residents of Larm-Gangipora also
iii. Further, it was suggested to exclude six villages namely Mandhole,
iv. Various deputations as well as respectables of C.D.Block Qazigund
10.8 Considering the above suggestions, the representations, the views expressed by
i. From the view point of public and administrative convenience the
ii. Village Larm-Gangipora with a population of 3,859 souls (as per census
iii. Consequent up on the above discussed changes shown under sub-paras (i)
iv. Accordingly, the Committee also proposes the competent Revenue
v. On the same considerations as mentioned in sub-para (i), above the
vi. Committee proposes the competent authority in the Revenue department to
vii. Like wise the Committee also proposes the competent authority in the
10.9 The Committee feels that the change affected vide Govt. Order No. Rev(s)
10.10 With the creation of Tehsil Kokernag the number of Tehsils in District
10.11 The Halqa wise and village wise details for District Anantnag are given at
TEHSIL KOKARNAG (DISTRICT ANANTNAG)
10.12 Named after the famous place of tourist interest, the newly created Tehsil
10.13 Tehsil Kokernag with the hilly terrain and being surrounded on three sides by
10.14 In connection with determination of the geographical limits of Tehsil Kokernag
Accordingly, in view of above, coupled with the topography and
ii. For the exclusion or continuance of Halqa Akingam with Tehsil Kokernag
The Committee recommends that the limits of Niabat Sagam as
iii. Presently, Halqa Hakoora-Badasgam is part of Tehsil Dooru and during its
10.15 The final position which emerges in respect of Tehsil Kokernag is as
S.No. Name of Patwar Halqas Name of Villages