Kashmir Valley

Coordinates: 34°02′00″N 74°40′00″E / 34.0333°N 74.6667°E / 34.0333; 74.6667
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mehrajmir13 (talk | contribs) at 17:34, 12 April 2021 (Restored revision 984496719 by Arjayay (talk): Restored to a better version as Kashmir Division Has been moved to a page of its own). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other uses, see Kashmir (disambiguation).

Kashmir Valley
Vale of Kashmir
Dal Lake
Doodpathri
Manasbal Lake
Mount Haramukh
Naseem Bagh
Kashmir Valley (bordered orange) shown within the wider Kashmir region
Kashmir Valley (bordered orange) shown within the wider Kashmir region
Coordinates: 34°02′00″N 74°40′00″E / 34.0333°N 74.6667°E / 34.0333; 74.6667
CountryIndia
Union territoryJammu and Kashmir
Principal citySrinagar
Other major cities - Sopore
 - Anantnag
Area
 • Total15,948 km2 (6,158 sq mi)
Dimensions
 • Length135[2] km (83.885 mi)
 • Width32[2] km (19.884 mi)
Elevation
1,620[2] m (5,314 ft)
Population
 (2011[1])
 • Total6,907,622[1]
 • Density450.06/km2 (1,165.7/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Kashmiri, Koshur
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Highest peakMachoi Peak (5458 metres)
Largest lakeWular lake(260 km2 (100 sq mi))[3]
Longest riverJhelum river[4]
Kashmir valley seen from a satellite. Snow-capped peaks of the Pir Panjal Range (left in the image; southwest in compass) and the Himalayas (right in image; northeast in compass) flank the valley

The Kashmir Valley, also known as the Vale of Kashmir, is an intermontane valley in the portion of the Kashmir region administered by India. The valley is bounded on the southwest by the Pir Panjal Range and on the northeast by the main Himalayas range. It is approximately 135 km (84 mi) long and 32 km (20 mi) wide, and drained by the Jhelum River.[2] The Valley is home to the three Historical divisions Kamraz (North Kashmir), Yamraz (Central Kashmir) and Maraz ( South Kashmir), with an estimated population of over 6 million people.[5] Kashmiri language (Koshur) is widely spoken language and is believed to be the only one among the Dardic languages that has a written literature.[6][7][8]

Geography

The Kashmir Valley is an ancient lake basin.[9] As per the mythological traditions the Valley was originally a lake called Satisar. Francis Younghusband described "The huge lake must have been twice the length and three times the width of the lake of Geneva, completely encircled by snowy mountains as high and higher than the Mount Blank, while in the immediately following glacial period, mighty glaciers came wending dovra to the Sindh, Lidder, and other Valleys even to the edge of water."[8]

The Kashmir Valley lies between latitudes 32° and 34°N, and longitudes 74° and 75°E.[8] The valley is 100 km (62 mi) wide and 15,520.3 km2 (5,992.4 sq mi) in area.[10] The Himalayas divide the Kashmir valley from the Tibetan plateau while the Pir Panjal range, which encloses the valley from the west and the south, separates it from the Great Plains of northern India.[11] Along the northeastern flank of the Valley runs the main range of the Himalayas.[12] The valley is situated in the bosom of the western Himalayas at an average elevation of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) above sea-level,[10] but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an average elevation of 10,000 feet (3,000 m).[13] The Jhelum River is the main river of the Valley. It originates at Verinag and drains the valley. The most important tributories of the river are Lidder, Sind. Bringi, Vaishav and Madhumati. Kashmir Valley has many sub valleys which have also been termed as side valleys, these valleys are relatively steep having severe winters. They include Lidder Valley, Sind Valley and Lolab Valley.[8][14]

Climate

Srinagar
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
48
 
 
7
−2
 
 
68
 
 
8
−1
 
 
121
 
 
14
3
 
 
85
 
 
21
8
 
 
68
 
 
25
11
 
 
39
 
 
30
15
 
 
62
 
 
30
18
 
 
76
 
 
30
18
 
 
28
 
 
27
12
 
 
33
 
 
22
6
 
 
28
 
 
15
1
 
 
54
 
 
8
−2
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: HKO [15]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.9
 
 
45
28
 
 
2.7
 
 
47
31
 
 
4.8
 
 
57
38
 
 
3.3
 
 
69
46
 
 
2.7
 
 
76
51
 
 
1.5
 
 
85
59
 
 
2.4
 
 
86
65
 
 
3
 
 
85
64
 
 
1.1
 
 
81
54
 
 
1.3
 
 
72
42
 
 
1.1
 
 
59
34
 
 
2.1
 
 
47
29
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Kashmir Valley has a moderate climate, which is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering Karakoram Range in the north, Pir Panjal Range in the south and west and Zanskar Range in the east.[16] It can be generally described as cool in the spring and autumn, mild in the summer and cold in the winter. As a large valley with significant differences in geo-location among various districts, the weather is often cooler in the hilly areas compared to the flat lower part. There are many causes of the difference: relief, the mansoon winds, forests and the altitude.

Summer is usually mild and fairly dry, but relative humidity is generally high and the nights are cool. The precipitation occurs throughout the year and no month is particularly dry. The hottest month is July (mean minimum temperature 16 °C, mean maximum temperature 32 °C) and the coldest are December–January (mean minimum temperature −15 °C, mean maximum temperature 0 °C).

Compared with other plain parts of India, Kashmir valley enjoys a more moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable. The recorded high temperature is 33 °C and the recorded low is −18 °C. On 5 and 6 January 2012, after years of relatively little snow, a wave of heavy snow and low temperatures (winter storm) shocked the valley covering it in a thick layer of snow and ice.

Kashmir Valley has seen an increase in relative humidity and annual precipitation in the last few years. This is most likely because of the commercial afforestation projects which also include expanding parks and green cover.[17]

  • Different seasons and climatic conditions in Kashmir
  • Autumn
    Autumn
  • Winter
    Winter
  • Spring
    Spring
  • Summer
    Summer

Economy

Agriculture

Agriculture is the most significant sector of the economy of Kashmir Valley. Rice, wheat, maize, pulses, and oil seeds are widely grown crops. The valley is endowed with the favourable climatic conditions and fertile soil for growing a variety of horticulture crops. The temperate fruits like apple, pear, walnut, almond, cherry and apricot are grown through out the valley. Kashmir apple production contributes more than 70% of the total apple production of India. In 2017-18, there was 330 thousand hectares of land under fruit cultivation with an annual production of 22.53lakh metric tonnes of fresh fruit. Kashmir valley ranks first in the production of saffron. Kashmir saffron holds the GI tag, it is considered the world’s high quality saffron. The valley has been declared as Agri Export Zone for Apples and Walnut.[18][19][20]

Tourism

Kashmir Valley is famous for its natural beauty, rivers, lakes, mountains and meadows. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan described the valley as, "the paradise on earth". Srinagar, the heart of the Valley is one of several places that have been called the "Venice of the East". The Valley is known for its lush green scenery, tall chinar trees and snow capped peaks. The Mughal gardens; Chashma Shahi, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Garden alongside the Pari Mahal (the fairy palace) built by Emperor Shah Jahan are located on the banks of the Dal Lake. The Dal Lake houses over 1200 houseboats which provide lodging and dining facilities for the visitors.[21][20][8] Tounsm is the main source of income and employment for the majonty of the population in the Kashmir Valley. It is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the Valley, employing more than 100,000 people and contributing 8% to the GDP. In 2016, the state as a whole recorded 1.29 million tourists.[8] The majority of the tourists visit Kashmir Valley in the months of June, July and August. The tourist activities in summer include sightseeing, mountaineering, rafting and hiking. Kashmir Valley has many well established alpine-hikking trails which attract thousands of trekkers every year. Snow scatting and other winter sports are held at Gulmarg in winter.[22][8]

Culture

Cuisine

Further information: Kashmiri cuisine
Rogan josh
A complete Wazwan

Kashmiri cuisine holds a unique place among different world cuisines. Since ancient times the staple in Kashmiri diet has been rice.[23] Meat, along with rice, is the most popular food item in Kashmir.[24] Kashmiris eat meat in great quantities.[25]Despite being Brahmin, Kashmiri Pandits also consume meat heavily.[26] Salted tea or Noon Chai is the traditional drink and is cooked in a samavar, a Kashmiri tea-pot. Kehwa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is served on special occasions and festivals. Kashmiri weddings incorporate a traditional feast known as Wazwan,[27] which typically includes spicy food cooked by the traditional cooks (waz). The concept of Wazwan is 500 years old and originates in Central Asia. Rice and meat are central to the feast.[28]

Arts and crafts

Kashmiri children in traditional pheran
Kashmiri ornamental kanger

One of the most famous exports of the Kashmir Valley is the Kashmir shawl, distinctive for its Kashmiri weave, and traditionally made of shahtoosh or pashmina wool.[29][30] Valued for its warmth, light weight and characteristic buta design, the Kashmir shawl was originally used by Mughal royalty and nobility. In the late 18th century, it arrived in Europe, where its use by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Empress Joséphine of France popularised it as a symbol of exotic luxury and status.[31] It became a toponym for the Kashmir region itself (as cashmere),[31] inspiring mass-produced imitation industries in India and Europe,[31] and popularising the buta, today known as the Paisley motif.[31] Today, it continues to be a symbol of luxury in the Western world, commonly used as a gift to visiting dignitaries[32] and used by public figures.[33][34] Besides woolen textiles of Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri artisans carry on the ancient tradition of artistry by embroidered suits, Kashmir silk saris, papier mache, woodcarving, hand knotted carpets and other traditional crafts.[8]

Flora and fauna

Kashmir Valley has a diversity of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 2236 km2 (863 sq mi). The temperate forest occur in the valley between 1,525 metres (5,000 ft.) and 2,286 metres (7,500 ft) of altitude which grows popular (Populus citiata), walnuts (Jaglans regia) chinar, partal, mulbery, willow and other fruit trees. The next zone is referred to as coniferous forest, it lies between 2,100 and 3,200 metres. It grows mostly blue pine, fir (Abbies pindrow), low-level silver fir (Abbies webbiand), Prumus comuta, Aesculus indie, Acer caesium, Juglans regia and rosa macrophylla. Above 3200 meters the zone is called as alpine forest, the most common species are white birch (Betula utilis) and the stunted juniper (Juniperus communis). Poa, glyceria and festuca are predominant species of alpine meadows which occur above 3600 meters.[7][8] The valley is home to rare species animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. There are at least 711 bird species in the valley which include 31 globally threatened species.[35][36] The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in the lap of the Zabarwans is considered the largest tulip garden of Asia spread over 12 hectares of land.[37]The Dachigam National Park, spread over 141 km2 holds the last viable population of Kashmir stag (Hangul) and the largest population of black bear in Asia. The valley is also home to musk deer, leopard, Himalayan brown bear, leopard cat, jungle cat, red fox, jackal, Himalayan wolf, serow, Himalayan yellow-throated marten, long-tailed marmot, Indian porcupine, Himalayan mouse-hare, langur and Himalayan weasel.[38][39][40][7]

References

  1. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ a b c d "Vale of Kashmir | valley, India". Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Wular Lake | lake, India". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Jhelum River | river, Asia". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Delimitation on 2011 census will be blunder". State Times. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Kashmiri language". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Lawrence, Walter. The Valley of Kashmir. Asian Educational Services, 2005. pp. 66–160. ISBN 8120616308.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "TOURISM POTENTIAL IN ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF TOURISM IN KASHMIR VALLEY" (PDF). core.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Vale of Kashmir | valley, India". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b Guruswamy, Mohan (28 September 2016). "Indus: The water flow can't be stopped". The Asian Age. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  11. ^ Khan, Asma (26 April 2018). "A Tryst of the Heart and History along the Karakoram Highway". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  12. ^ Andrei, Mihai (11 March 2019). "Why India and Pakistan keep fighting over Kashmir – the history of the Kashmir conflict". GME Science. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  13. ^ Vrinda; J. Ramanan (21 December 2017). "Doorway of the gods: Himalaya crosses five countries". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  14. ^ "Jhelum River". Encyclopædia Britannica. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  15. ^ "Climatological Information for Srinagar, India". Hong Kong Observatory. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  16. ^ Sharad Singh Negi (1986). Geo-botany of India. Periodical Expert Book Agency, 1986. p. 58–. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  17. ^ Lawrence, Walter. The Valley of Kashmir. Asian Educational Services, 2005. pp. 12–65. ISBN 8120616308.
  18. ^ "A Study on Area, Production and Marketing of Apples in Kashmir" (PDF). IJTSRD. Retrieved 20 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Horticulture Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir". horticulture.jk.gov.in. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  20. ^ a b "J&K In India Economy 2018" (PDF). DIRECTORATE OF ECONOMICS & STATISTICS, J&K. Retrieved 20 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Thousands lose jobs as restive Kashmir's tourism economy dwindles". Hindustan Times. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Kashmir Hiking Trails. Long and short distance Treks". Kashmir Treks. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  23. ^ Bamzai, Ancient Kashmir 1994, p. 243.
  24. ^ Kaw, Kashmiri Pandits (2001, p. 98)
  25. ^ Press, Epilogue, Epilogue, Vol 3, issue 9, Epilogue -Jammu Kashmir
  26. ^ Dar, P Krishna (2000), Kashmiri Cooking, Penguin UK, ISBN 9789351181699
  27. ^ Madison Books; Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC; Corby Kummer (1 November 2007), 1001 Foods To Die For, Andrews McMeel Publishing, pp. 517–, ISBN 978-0-7407-7043-2
  28. ^ Solomon H. Katz; William Woys Weaver (2003), Encyclopedia of Food and Culture: Food production to Nuts, Scribner, ISBN 978-0-684-80566-5
  29. ^ Irwin, John, 1917-1997. (1973). The kashmir shawl. London: H.M. Stationery Off. ISBN 0-11-290164-6. OCLC 3241655. Although a garment so simple in shape and form undoubtedly has a long history in the Near East,3 the finest shawls of the modern era are synonymous with the name of Kashmir.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Daly, Suzanne. (2011). The empire inside : Indian commodities in Victorian domestic novels. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-07134-0. OCLC 617509005. First, their preferred term, Kashmir, suggests that (1) what we know as "cashmere" is, or can be, many things, and (2) the combination of textile and technique that made the shawls unique was historically and geographically circumscribed and needs to be considered separately from several categories of shawls that are commonly identified as "cashmere". Briefly, Kashmir shawls are understood to be those woven on hand looms from one of several grades of hair from two or more species of Asian goat.
  31. ^ a b c d Maskiell, Michelle (Spring 2002). "Consuming Kashmir: Shawls and Empires, 1500-2000". Journal of World History. 13 (1): 27–65. doi:10.1353/jwh.2002.0019. JSTOR 20078943. S2CID 144868279.
  32. ^ "What Do Gifts By Modi And Manmohan Singh to the US Tell Us About Them". Outlook India. Retrieved 27 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ Wulfhart, Nell McShane (11 October 2017). "What Martha Stewart Can't Travel Without". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  34. ^ Allaire, Christian. "Angelina Jolie Puts a Summer Spin on Parisienne Style". Vogue. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  35. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir bird checklist - Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  36. ^ "SOME ASPECTS OF BIRD-LIFE IN KASHMIR : Himalayan Journal vol.01/4". www.himalayanclub.org. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  37. ^ "Asias largest Tulip garden opens in Kashmir". msn.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  38. ^ "MANAGEMENT PLAN (2011-2016) DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK" (PDF). jkwildlife.com. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  39. ^ "Kashmir conflict spares wildlife". theguardian.com. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  40. ^ Valmik Thapar (1977). Land of the Tiger: A Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent. University of California Press. p. 32. ISBN 9780520214705.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kashmir_Valley&oldid=1017423577"