Watergam

Watergam
Town
Watergam Show map of Jammu and Kashmir Watergam Show map of India Location in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates: 34°19′N 74°22′E / 34.31°N 74.37°E / 34.31; 74.37Coordinates: 34°19′N 74°22′E / 34.31°N 74.37°E / 34.31; 74.37
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Baramulla
Elevation	1,599.895 m (5,248.999 ft)
Languages
• Official	Urdu
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	193303
Telephone code	01954

Watergam Rafiabad, is a town located in the Baramulla district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is 56.9 km (35.4 mi) north-west of Srinagar, and 15 km (9 mi) from the city of Baramulla. It is located on the banks of Nallah ′Hamal′ running parallel to the Baramulla-Handwara National Highway.

History

The town of Watergam has a very rich history. Syed Kirman the famous Muslim preacher chose Watergam as the centre of his mission and he is buried here on the hilltop. Giving due credit to its centrality and rich history, J&K Govt. gave Watergam a Tehsil Status which caters to the needs of about 22 villages.^[1] The villages from Alsafa colony, Ladoora up to village Pazalpora and Babagund fall under the jurisdiction of this Tehsil.

Geography

Watergam town is called the "Heart of Rafiabad" constituency. It is equidistant to the three nearby towns, Baramulla14 km (8.7 mi), Sopore10 km (6.2 mi) and Handwara13 km (8.1 mi). It has a well-established market in Rafiabad. It has a municipal committee to look into different needs of the town.^[2] The municipal limits of Watergam extend from Gundkarim Khan in the west up to Behrampora in the east, Rehmatabad(Thagund), Gundmulraj and Chanapora are also part of the Municipal limits.

Demographics

The Watergam city is divided into 13 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Watergam Municipal Committee has population of 7,015 of which 3,939 are males while 3,076 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

The population of children with age of 0-6 is 727 which is 10.36% of total population of Watergam (MC). In Watergam Municipal Committee, Female Sex Ratio is of 781 against state average of 889. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Watergam is around 1095 compared to Jammu and Kashmir state average of 862. Literacy rate of Watergam city is 74.60% higher than state average of 67.16%. In Watergam, Male literacy is around 86.08% while female literacy rate is 59.31%.

Watergam Municipal Committee has total administration over 932 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorized to build roads within Municipal Committee limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.^[3]

Famous Personalities

Watergam town has been very fertile throughout. It has produced some great personalities of the J&k State, the notable among them being Khwaja Khazir Mohd. Malla and Mr. Gh. Mustafa Malla alias ′Mus Lala′. Ghulam Mustafa Malla is the founder of the Asia's second largest Fruit Mandi Sopore which has been now named as Mustafa Memorial Fruit Mandi Sopore in his honour. This fruit mandi is the commercial hub of the Kashmir valley as the main sector of the economy of Kashmir is based on the horticulture with Apples being the main produce. Apples from different parts of valley reach here and then they are transported to different parts of the country.

Education

Paradise Public High School is the oldest school in Watergam. It is the pioneer school not only for Watergam but for whole of Rafiabad which has produced the brightest and best minds of the valley. It was founded by Mr. Ab. Majeed Lone. Other notable schools include Govt. Girls High School, Holy Faith Public School, KGBV Watergam, Iqbal Educational Institute.

Economy

Horticulture is the primary source of economy with apples as one of the major crops.

References