45-508: Chenab Valley is a term refers to present-day districts of Doda , Kishtwar , Ramban in Jammu and Kashmir. These three districts used to be part of a single former district called Doda, which was created in 1948 out of the eastern parts of Udhampur district of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir , and are sometimes collectively referred to as the Doda belt . The name "Chenab Valley" derives from
90-513: A literacy rate of 65.97%. The district has a Muslim majority 53.82%, with Hindus constituting 45.77% of the population and the remainder consisting of Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Doda's society is a mixture of all religions with Hindus and Muslims being two major communities. The population ratio between the Muslims and the Hindus as per the census report of 2011 is around 55:45. Muslims of
135-512: A combined storage capacity of 260 thousand acre-feet (320 million cubic metres). There has been a movement demanding separate administrative division for the Chenab valley by various social and political activists for long time. In 2014, a major protest was called in Doda for the demand of separate administrative division. The demand again rose in 2018 and 2019 when Ladakh got divisional status and
180-554: Is an active seismic zone . The various areas referred to as "Chenab Valley" used to be part of the principalities of Bhaderwah , Kishtwar , Chamba , and other smaller principalities which were annexed by the Dogras of Jammu , who made them part of the Dogra princely state of Jammu and Kashmir established following the Treaty of Amritsar (1846) . During Dogra rule, most of these areas were part of
225-479: Is an administrative district of the Jammu division of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. Doda covers 2,625 square kilometers. The district consists of 18 tehsils: Thathri , Bhaderwah , Doda , Mohalla , Bhagwa , Assar , Bhalla , Gundna , Marmat , Kahara , Gandoh (Bhalessa) , Bhella , Bharat Bagla , Chiralla , Chilly Pingal , Phagsoo and Kastigarh . The climate of
270-456: Is complex compared to neighbouring districts, because of its very diverse population. In the past, Doda was largely inhabited by a Sarazi population before people started settling here from Kashmir and other adjoining areas. It got the name Doda due to the opium plant, known as doddi in the local language. Kashmiri populations settled here in the 17th and 18th centuries. Sumantra Bose says repression by feudal classes elsewhere drew people to
315-553: Is rich in cultural heritage and ethical values, but also has age-old traditions of secularism and tolerance. The early history of Chenab Valley is not well documented, with few chronicles available about the rulers of Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. The settlement reports indicate that the area was ruled by various groups including Ranas , Rajas, and independent chiefs from time to time, including the Jaral Ramas, Katoch Rajas , Bhaus Manhases, Chibs, Thakkars, Wanis, and Gakkars. In 1822 AD, Doda
360-514: Is the part of Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency . Doda had a history of terrorism, with one of the highest concentration of militants in Jammu and Kashmir. According to local authorities, about 200 militants were active in the district in the early 2000s. Militants targeted the Hindu and Muslim villagers. Some anti-social outfits mostly misused the VDCs. A report said that the 489 civilians had been killed in
405-485: The 2011 census , Doda district has a population of 409,936, roughly equal to the nation of Malta . This gives it a ranking of 556th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 79 inhabitants per square kilometre (200/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 27.89%. Doda has a sex ratio of 922 females for every 1000 males (this varies with religion), and
450-608: The DIG of Police has a separate post for Chenab Valley known as the DKR Range ; the R&;B Department has now created a distinct zone for Chenab ; and Chenab Valley has its own Forest Circle known as Chenab Forest Circle . A militia named as Village Defence Guards was established in 1996 to fight anti-militancy operations in Chenab Valley. All of these are " run-of-the-river " projects as per
495-460: The Indus Water Treaty of 1960. The Treaty allocates the waters of Chenab to Pakistan. India can use its water for domestic and agricultural uses or for "non-consumptive" uses such as hydropower . India is entitled to store up to 1.2 million acre-feet (1.5 billion cubic metres ) of water in its projects. The three projects completed as of 2011, Salal, Baglihar and Dul Hasti, have
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#1732844806174540-500: The Ramban , Bhadarwah , Thathri and Kishtwar tehsils. In 2006, Ramban was made into an independent district and the hilly area to the east of the present Doda district was separated as the Kishtwar district . The remaining areas include the Doda tehsil carved out of Kishtwar and the original Bhadarwah, now divided into three tehsils. In 1990s, various incidents were reported about
585-534: The Chenab Catchment area was done in Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and Ramban divisions of the forest. In 1990s, various incidents were reported about the suppression of Hindus by the Militant organizations . In response to the rising terrorism, the government authorities made Village Defense Committee (VDC) in various villages. However, incidents of VDC members indulging in criminal activities have also been reported in
630-497: The Chenab River, a lifeline that carves through the valley. The term was first reportedly introduced by Erik Norin in a 1926 journal article, and has since been embraced by residents and activists to emphasize the region’s distinct cultural and geographical identity. Meanwhile, the people of Chenab Valley are referred as “Chenabis” or simply “Chenabi“. This term has come to be used by various social activists and politicians referring to
675-505: The Sheikh Abdul Rehman (then MLA from Bhaderwah). In July 2015, then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayed , rules out demand of Chenab Valley Hill Council and announced Chenab Valley Development Fund (CVDF) for development and upliftment of mountainous and remote districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban. A 5.8 earthquake hit the erstwhile Doda on 1 May 2013, killing two and injuring 69. Seismic activity continued in
720-473: The State Revenue Department, the district got its name from its headquarters in Doda, which was named after a migrant from Multan , a utensil maker. He was persuaded by one of the ancient rulers of Kishtwar to settle in the area and establish a utensil factory. Over time, the name Deeda was distorted into Doda. The early history of Doda is not well documented, with few chronicles available about
765-520: The Udhampur district. In the past, the area around Doda was largely inhabited by Sarazi population before people started settling here from the Kashmir valley and other adjoining areas. The reasons for this migration in the 17th and 18th centuries are a matter of ambiguity among historians. Sumantra Bose says that repression by the feudal class in the Kashmir valley drew people to these areas. Chenab Valley
810-405: The area is not uniform due to its wide variations in altitude. The area, in general, enjoys a temperate to sub-tropical climate. The climate of the district is almost dry and rainfall is scanty. The temperature varies from place to place. Ramban and Doda tehsils are warmer, while regions like Dessa Valley, tehsil Bhagwah, Gundna , Padder, Marwah and Warwan remain snow-bound for five-six months of
855-430: The areas of the former Doda district formed in 1948. The term is used by many residents of Doda , Ramban , Kishtwar districts to assert a distinct cultural identity within the larger Jammu division . The Chenab Valley lies between the middle and great Himalayan range in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It constitutes parts of the Doda , Ramban , and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The area
900-429: The bridge in Doda, a strong rope stretched from one bank to the other, tied to rocks. A wooden structure was placed over the rope and additional ropes were tied to it, allowing the structure to move back and forth. He also encountered another type of bridge, which was crossed on foot, made of small ropes bound with pieces of bark and woven into a thick rope. Hanging ropes were provided for support. The area that includes
945-418: The changing situations of land and forest resources and present the data for national planning, conservation and sustainable management of environmental protection as well as for the implementation of social forestry projects. Founded in 1981, Forest Survey of India is the successor of "Preinvestment Survey of Forest Resources" (PISFR), a project initiated in 1965 by the government of India with
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#1732844806174990-592: The corners. The fort was demolished in 1952 and as of 2023, the Government Boys Higher Secondary School occupies its site. English traveller G.T. Vigne visited Doda in 1829 and described his journey through the district. He mentions traveling through a deep and rocky nullah which joins the Chenab River , and then crossing the river over a dangerous bridge in the Himalayas. Vigne writes about
1035-553: The district's history and was one of the seventy forts in Jammu province, according to author Thakur Kahan Singh Balowria. The fort served as the office of the Thanedar and provided storage space for armaments and food grains. The fort was also built to protect against potential attacks from the Bhaderwah Rajas. The fort was made of unbaked bricks and had walls that were four feet wide and forty to fifty feet high, with dome-like towers at
1080-428: The districts of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar . The Doda district consists of areas drawn from the ancient principalities of Kishtwar and Bhadarwah , both of which became part of a district by the name of 'Udhampur' in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir . The district of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir has a long history intertwined with legends and stories of various rulers and dynasties. According to records from
1125-436: The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir , Omar Abdullah added "Two Separate Divisional Status for Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal Region " to his party's political agenda. As of 2021, the movement for divisional status again increased after rumours of second bifurcation of J&K and demand for a separate state of Jammu . There is a common reason for this demand. People allege negligence in terms of developmental issues by
1170-512: The government if the Chenab valley remains linked to the Jammu division . The districts of the proposed Chenab Valley consists of six Assembly seats. The Bhartiya Janata Party maintains that "there is no Chenab valley and it is only the Jammu division for representation of the region", while the JKNC says that the demand is based on developmental negligence and wants separate divisions from Jammu division for Chenab valley and Pir Panjal. The areas of
1215-504: The main ones. Others in the district speak Gojri and Dogri . Doda's population comprises different communities who live together peacefully despite following different religions and speak different languages. Administratively, the district has 406 villages. Doda District has been divided into three subdivisions viz., Doda, Thathri , Bhaderwah and Bhalessa (Gandoh). It has eighteen tehsils. Doda district has three assembly constituencies: Bhaderwah , Doda and Doda West . While it
1260-405: The other, tied to rocks. A wooden structure was placed over the rope and additional ropes were tied to it, allowing the structure to move back and forth. He also encountered another type of bridge, which was crossed on foot, made of small ropes bound with pieces of bark and woven into a thick rope. Hanging ropes were provided for support. In 1948, the erstwhile Udhampur district was partitioned into
1305-405: The past. In a village called Karada, four Muslims were allegedly killed by VDC members. This incident also triggered the terrorist organisations to target those who supported the VDCs, believing them to be anti-Muslim . Since the 1990s, many such incidents of killings by terrorists and VDCs have been reported. In 2006, Ramban was made into an independent district and the hilly area to the east of
1350-471: The population was Muslim according to the 2011 census , and the rest 40% are mostly Hindus. Languages of Chenab Valley (2011) Chenab Valley is home to a variety of ethnic groups. Officially, Urdu and English are used, but the Chenab Valley is home to a variety of languages, including Kashmiri —spoken by almost half of the population, Gojri , Kishtwari , Bhaderwahi , Sarazi , Dogri , Rambani , Pogali , Pahari , Bhalessi , and Padri . As of 2023,
1395-515: The present Udhampur district , containing the Udhampur and Ramanagar tehsils, and Doda district containing the Ramban , Bhadarwah , Doda , Thathri and Kishtwar tehsils. From 1975 to 1976, the Government of India conducted the Preinvestment Survey of Forest Resources specifically in the Chenab Valley by Department of Agriculture. During this period, a detailed survey of forests in
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1440-399: The present Doda district was separated as the Kishtwar district . The remaining areas include the Doda tehsil carved out of Kishtwar and the original Bhadarwah, now divided into three tehsils. Religion in Chenab Valley (2011) Muslims form a majority in the three districts constituting Chenab Valley and they are ethnically Kashmiri or sometimes referred as Chenabi Kashmiris . About 60% of
1485-424: The region are mostly ethnic Kashmiris and are culturally and linguistically connected to the people of Kashmir . Prominent Scholar Sumantra Bose states that the plurality of population of Doda speaks Kashmiri as their mother language. A study conducted in 2014 identified 40% of the population as Kashmiri-speaking. The Pahadi languages are spoken by the second largest group: Bhadarwahi and Sarazi are
1530-555: The region as of 2005. There have been a number of killings of innocent civilians by militants and anti-social outfits including: Forest Survey of India#History Forest Survey of India ( FSI ), founded in June 1981 and headquartered at Dehradun in Uttarakhand , is the Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organization which conducts forest surveys , studies and researches to periodically monitor
1575-508: The rulers of Kishtwar. The settlement reports indicate that the area was ruled by various groups including Ranas , Rajas, and independent chiefs from time to time, including the Jaral, Ranas, Katoch Rajas , Bhaus Manhases, Chibs, Thakkars, Wanis, and Gakkars. In 1822 AD, Doda was conquered by Maharaja Gulab Singh and became the winter capital of the Kishtwar state. The Fort of Doda was significant in
1620-472: The sponsorship of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In its report in 1976, the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) recommended the creation of a National Forest Survey Organization for a regular, periodic and comprehensive forest resources survey of the country, leading to the creation of FSI in the same year. FSI assesses forest cover of
1665-699: The suppression of Hindus by the Jihadist Militant organizations . In response to the rising terrorism, the government authorities made Village Defense Committee (VDC) in various villages. However some reports of VDC members indulging in criminal activities have also reported in the past. This incident also triggered the Terrorist organisations to target those who supported the VDCs, believing them to be anti-Muslim . Since 1990s, many such incidents of killings by Terrorist and VDCs have been reported. On 13 June 2023, an earthquake occurred at 01:33PM in Doda district. It
1710-583: The tehsil of Bhaderwah has a long history dating back to the 10th century. In 1846, Doda and Kishtwar became part of the newly created Jammu and Kashmir state after the Amritsar pact between the British government, Lahore Darbar, and Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu . Bhaderwah was once a principality with 15 administrative units and has a recorded history going back to the Rajatarangini of Kalhana . The state of Bhadhrwah
1755-417: The three districts are termed as the DKR Range (Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range) by police and military officials, while a separate Deputy Inspector General is posted for this range by J&K Police . In 1996, Dr. Farooq Abdullah as Chief minister promised administrative autonomy to Chenab. Later in 2000, a bill demanding a Hill Development Council for Chenab valley was presented in the legislative assembly by
1800-646: The valley throughout 2013, prompting teams of seismologists to study the area. A local belief was that the earthquakes were caused by hydroelectric construction projects in the area. A cloudburst hit Hunzar hamlet in the Dachhan area of Kishtwar district , resulting in 26 persons dead and 17 injured on 28 July 2021. As per reports, only seven dead bodies were recovered while 19 dead bodies were not found. As of October 5, 2021, one out of 19 missing persons' dead bodies had been found after more than 70 days, while 18 others remained missing. Doda district Doda district
1845-405: The year. Summer is generally without precipitation. Almost all regions experiences snowfall in the winter, either in the form of snowfall in higher regions or as rainfall in the lower regions. Monsoons prevail from July to September. Rainfall in the Doda district is heavy during July and September. The average annual rainfall is 926 mm and snowfall of about 135 mm. The demography of Doda district
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1890-557: Was appointed as the Kardar. The Bhaderwah Jagir was later bestowed upon Raja Amar Singh of Jammu and then to his son, Raja Hari Singh. When Raja Hari Singh became the Maharaja of J&K in 1925, he dissolved his Jagirs and converted Bhaderwah into a tehsil of Udhampur in 1931. In 1948, the erstwhile Udhampur district was partitioned into the present Udhampur district , containing the Udhampur and Ramanagar tehsils, and 'Doda' district containing
1935-516: Was centred near the town of Thathri and registered a magnitude of 5.0 on the richter scale. Several secondary low-intensity earthquakes and aftershocks followed over the next few weeks. At least 56 buildings had collapsed and 369 others were damaged in Kishtwar . Dozens of buildings including a hospital were also damaged in Bhaderwah . At least five people were injured and hundreds were displaced. Languages of Doda district (2011) According to
1980-428: Was conquered by Maharaja Gulab Singh and became the winter capital of the Kishtwar state. English traveller G.T. Vigne visited Doda in 1829 and described his journey through the region. He mentions traveling through a deep and rocky nullah which joins the Chenab River , and then crossing the river over a dangerous bridge in the Himalayas. Vigne writes about the bridge in Doda, a strong rope stretched from one bank to
2025-562: Was established in the 15th century by a Sicon of the Baloria family of Bilawar. It was later ruled by the Raja of Chamb until Raja Nagpal became the ruler in the 16th century. Bhaderwah was then ruled by Nagpal's descendants until it was captured by the Kishtwar Raja. It became part of Chamba in 1821 and was transferred to Jammu Darbar in 1846. During this time, Bhaderwah was military-administered Label
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