Ganderbal is a city and the headquarters of Ganderbal district in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in disputed Kashmir region. It is in Central Kashmir; and has an average elevation of 1,619 metres (5,312 feet). Ganderbal is bordered by district Srinagar District in the south, Bandipora District to the north, Kargil District (union territory of Ladakh) in the northeast, Anantnag District to the southeast, and Baramulla District in the southwest. The current District Magistrate of Ganderbal is Shri. Shyambir Singh (IAS) and the current Superintendent of police is Shri. Ragav S. (IPS). Ganderbal is renowned for its beauty, boasting numerous picturesque places and captivating landscapes. Sonamarg is the most famous place in Ganderbal; Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is also traversed through Ganderbal district. Manasbal Lake famous for natural and purity of water as compared to other water lakes of the Kashmir Valley.

Geography

Ganderbal is located at 34.23°N, 74.78°W. It has an average elevation of 1,619 metres (5,312 feet) above sea level. It is bordered by the Srinagar district in the south, Bandipore to the north, Kargil in the northeast, Anantnag to the southeast and Baramulla to the southwest. It is divided into six Tehsils viz, Ganderbal, Kangan, Lar, Tulmulla, Gund and Wakura.

Power project

The Sind River, a major tributary to the Jhelum River flows through this district. The water of the river is mainly used for irrigation, and generation of hydroelectricity. There are three hydroelectric power stations, Lower Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project Ganderbal, Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 1st Kangan and Upper Sindh Hydroelectric Power Project 2nd Sumbal generating electricity on the Sind River. Besides, the water of the river is used for drinking by Srinagar city through Rangil Water Treatment Plant.

Tourism

Water rafting tournaments are being organised at the tourist destination of Sonamarg every year, to boost the tourism industry of Kashmir valley. Besides Manasbal lake, Gangabal Lake at the foot of Mount Haramukh is one of the destinations of foreign tourists visiting the valley. Vaishnosar Lake and Gadsar Lake are situated north of Sonamarg.

Development

Despite the fact that in the past Ganderbal has remained CM's constituency, it has remained quite behind in development as compared to other districts. Ganderbal constituency was represented by Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar who defeated Qazi Mohammad Afzal by a little margin of 461 votes in recently held state assembly elections 2014. The Central University of Kashmir is being constructed in district Ganderbal. Three Faculties, the Faculty of Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir are also located within the jurisdiction of Ganderbal, serving to boost the economy and education of the district. Besides, there is a stadium which holds a record of playing a day-night matches Physical Education College, the only one in the state, is situated at Gadoora village, some 3.5 km away from district headquarters.

Demographics

India census, Ganderbal had a population of 297446. Males constitute 53.36% of the population and females 46.64%. Ganderbal has an average literacy rate of 58.04%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 68.85%, and female literacy is 45.71%. In Ganderbal, 17.01% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Politics

The Municipal Committee Ganderbal is an Urban Local Body with 17 elected members. Its last elections took place on 16 October 2018. Keys:

Education

The following educational institutes are located within Ganderbal: These institutions play a significant role in shaping the educational landscape of Ganderbal and contribute to the academic development of the region.

Transport

Road

Ganderbal is well-connected by road to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by the NH 1.

Rail

Ganderbal is not connected with railways. The nearest railway station is Srinagar railway station located at a distance of 31 kilometres.

Air

The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport located at a distance of 30 kilometres.