Geo Political Situation of Kashmir [SATISH Ganjoo] The fascinating Valley of Kashmir, lying at an average altitude of 5200 feet above the mean sea level, is approximately eighty-four miles in length and about twenty-five miles in breadth. The geological evidences confirm the concept that Kashmir Valley was a vast mountain lake, called Satisar. The existing remnants of this vast dead-water lake are the beautiful water bodies of Wular, Dal, Anchar, Hokarsar, Khushalsar and others. The old name of Satisar was replaced by Kash+Mir, after the name of great saint, Kashyapa, who devoted himself to religious exercises to fight the water-demon (jalodbhava). However, some scholars believe that Kashmir was called so on account of the early settlement of a semetic tribe called Kash, who also founded the cities of Kash, Kashan and Kashghar. But this theory is yet to be substantiated by indisputable evidences.It is commonly believed that the present inhabitants of Kashmir are the descendants of the Aryan race, who immigrated from the south under the patronage of saint Kashyapa. In proto-historic times, the probable semitic tribes of Kashmir-Nagas, Pisacas and Yaksas; used to go to Tibet and Central Asia in summer and return to the Valley in winter to harass the Aryans who had settled there. It was Chandradeva, a descendant of Saint Kashyapa, who interposed and restored the rites of the Nila to resist these semitic tribes. This also reveals the close ties which existed between Kashmir and Central Asia from very ancient times. In fact the Central Asian landscape begins from Kashmir the immediate neighbours of Kashmir in Central Asia-Ladakh, Baltistan and Dardistan; were integral parts of Kashmir Mandala during all periods of history down to the year 1947, when the Dogra rule came to an end.The veritable chain of mountains which surround the Valley presents a magnificent and imposing view. To the north is great promontory of Naga Parbat, 26620 feet; and to the east stands grim Haramukh, 16903 feet. Further south is the sacred Mahadeo; followed by the lofty Gwash Brari, 17800 feet; and the mountain in whose bosom lies the sacred cave of Amarnath, 17321 feet. On the south-west is the Pirpanjal range, 15000 feet; further south is the Tos Maidan, 14000 feet; and the snowy Kaji Nag, 12125 feet. The mountains of Kashmir are infinitely varied in form and colour. The Valley is connected with the outer world by no fewer than eight mountain-passes. In the eastern hills, there are gorgeous little valleys. Between the flat land and mountains are sloping hills in whose laps lie delightful meadows called the Margs in Kashmir. Lower down are extensive tablelands or plateaus which are called Karewas (wudars). Saffron, being the highly remunerative commercial crop of the Valley, has been the monopoly of these Karewas especially Pampore Karewa, 15 kilometres from Srinagar. These Karewas, covering almost half of the area of the Valley, are gaining importance in the economic set-up of the region as they have started unveiling their potentials for the suitability of variety of crops besides saffron. The basin shaped Valley of Kashmir, surrounded by mighty mountain ranges, has a large area of alluvial soil. It may be classified into the new alluvium, which is of great fertility; and old alluvium, which is of less fertility but can produce excellent results with moderate rains. The cultivators have divided the soil of Kashmir into four categories: Gurtu, where soil contains a large portion of clay; Bahil, which is rich loam with higher fertility status; Sekil, it is light loam with a sandy sub-soil; and Dazanlad, where soil is chiefly bound on low lying ground near the swamps. Other kinds of soils are Kharzamin and Nambal. The agro-climatic response in the Valley allows fruits, cereals and non-cereals to grow in abundance and this regional harmony, with some technological innovation, has decreased the effect of environmental control.The Valley develops various winds and pressure belts leading to different rainfall regions in different seasons. January is the coldest month. The spring, when snow begins to melt, is mostly cool-moist. Summer is humid and warm. However, it is breezy and pleasant in the side valleys and mountain meadows. Autumn is dry and bracing with the maximum hours of sunshine. The people of Kashmir have divided a year into six seasons out of which different croppings emerge. The six seasons are: Sonth (March-May), Grishim (May-July), Wahrath (July-September), Harud (September-November), Wandh (November-January) and Shushur (January-March).When the snow disappears in summer, the mountain streams-white with the foam passing through the pools of the purest silver; dash down making melodious sounds. Kashmir also abounds in springs of clear transparent waters, which are associated with the quaint old snake-worship and form the useful auxiliaries to the mountain streams. Vethvatur, a spring little below Verinag, is the source of Jhelum, which drains the Valley. The tributaries of this great river are the Liddar, Sind, Pohru, Vishau, Rambiara, Ramshi, Dudganga, Suknag, Ferozepura and Ningal streams. The Valley of Kashmir is also very rich in flora and fauna, whose contribution in the regional economy cannot be underestimated.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:57:07 +0000