Ghanche District
Ghanche District (Urdu: ضلع گانچھے) (Balti: གངས་ཅེ) is the easternmost district of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan.[1][2][3] With its administrative headquarters in the historic city of Khaplu, Ghanche is famous as a tourist destination for its outstanding scenery and high altitude landscapes.
Gangche District གངས་ཅེ | |
---|---|
The Ghanche region features serrated peaks typical of the high Karakorams | |
Map of Gilgit–Baltistan with Ghanche District highlighted in maroon. | |
Country | |
Autonomous territory | |
Division | Baltistan |
Capital | Khaplu |
Government | |
• Deputy Commissioner | Adeel Haider (PAS) |
Area | |
• Total | 4,052 km2 (1,564 sq mi) |
Population (2017) | |
• Total | 160,000 |
Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
Website | www |
Geography
To its northeast is Xinjiang (China), to the north and northwest is Skardu District, to its southwest is Kharmang District and to its south is Indian administered Ladakh. The Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) at the easternmost part of Ghanche District is located across the Saltoro Ridge. Territory east of the AGPL is currently controlled by India including the entire Siachen Glacier. It has been proposed by moderates in Pakistan and India to make the Siachen Glacier region a Peace Park. Pakistan controls west of Saltoro Ridge.
The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu.[4] This region is the coldest place within Pakistan also called the "Third Pole" with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Khaplu Valley and Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of Karakoram [5] that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum (7,821 m) (all of which are included in the Skardu District).[6]
Etymology
The word Gang in Balti and means "glacier" and che is used as superlative term showing its abundance. It is locally used by natives of the Khaplu Valley for Ghanche Nallah (a Seasonal Stream) which flows in between the Khaplu town during summer season. When the Pakistani government gave it the grade of district, people of the valley selected the name of "Ghanche" willingly.[7]
Administration
Khaplu consists of 56 blocks, each block containing many villages and these blocks have been divided into three subdivisions: Khaplu, Daghoni and Masherbrum. Four villages of Chorbat Valley were lost in Indian invasion in 1971.[8][9] They were Chalunka, Tyakshi, Thang and Turtuk.[10] Some of them are given in the chart below.
Name of Village/Town[11] | Muhallahs in the Village/Town |
---|---|
Khaplu Bala | Mouldomar, Sargaib, Stodkhoor (Braqchansar, Khansar, Banpi, Hundili Gharalti, Laxar), Khanqah, Naqzigroung, Gamba Bathong, Goma Bathong, Goma staqji (Muhsinabad), Langkhong (Islamabad), Hatchhe khar, Hatchhe, Hatchhe, Dinis(faizbaksh sector), Gamba Bngriya, goma Bngriya, Doqsa Garbochung, |
Khaplu Pain | Kraming, Malaliwa, Ansoq, Kongbozang, Gongmayar, Baqerpi gund. Mekxerpi, Goqpi Mirpiser, Thaskong, Ghares, Morgoto, Helam groung, Braqchan, Chaqchan, mongrong, Beadenday, Hipi, Askari gond, Chilabatigond, Kowakhong, Stronpi, Konowa, Khsergroung, Garboung |
Kharkoo | Mandik, Arapa, Malayar, Thana Gamba Trangzong, Gongma Trangzong, Garbong, Youlskil, Piyara, Shopacholi, Lahar, Sogha |
Haldi | |
Chorbat | Siksa (Kalan, Sokhmos), Chowar, Siari, Piun, Hassanabad, Ameerabad, Dawoo, Marcha, Partook, Thoqmus, Franu |
Saling | Banpi Gabkhore, Doqbar, Biliggrong, Sotol, Gond |
Thagas | * Newti Chan, Olday Groung, Garbi Groung, Kharat, Arif Abad, Chansoq,
, Farol, Baqmacho, Kharkhor, Bandy Groung, Arappi Groung, Ool, Tholdi, Dung,Lhangkhani Groung. |
Yugo | Baqir Colony |
Ghawari | Ghulu Khor, Manjar, Sain (Hill Town), Chogo Grong, Shahoba, Zangi Ba, Manowa, Sobi Gon, Rahinpi Khor, Mala Abdul pi khor, Mayokhor, Duskhor, Soq, Gintha |
Kuro | Farool, Khankah grong, Sato, Bani gala ,Gharaqpi gond, Katchurdas,Khuram abad |
Gulshan-e-Kabir | Tranzong, Gonpon, Kharkhor (Kharkhor & Bongri), Farol (Gapkhor & Yarol) |
Dumsum | mallon, gabser, mongron,khachepa,yarkhor,oling,skoungoa, barngmalla, |
Ghursay | Goma(turu,lagaf),Skilma(dankhor,khanfuva,burcon,zgakhon),Gamba(karowa,lunkhavikhor,kazimpikhor,raisha),
Paindo(paindo,ghazithang) |
Sino | |
Talis | Nima bazar, hussani chock, |
Saltoro | Mandik, Saith, Ghaglu and Goma |
Surmo | Choghogrong, Tarkari, Tishari, Gond, Khar |
Kundos | Karmanding, Choghogrong, Lachat, Thang, Hano, Khorkondo |
Machulu | Ashurpi, Malikpi, Manthalpi, Khadi, Badawa, Hilbi, Mallon, Teshari, Marin, Bongri, Baqdurpi |
Balghar | Soq,Yompoya,Loda,Khankha Groing, marmung,Gon,Chan Gon, Ungbo,Gongmayar,Bazawa,Khodakha,Garieppa,Kharwathaing,khashou,Gamba Bardas. |
Hushe | |
Marzi Gon | |
BARA Valley Baltistan | Gumba BARA (Hilfiyuoq, Kharfiyouq, Bara Gond, BrouqPa, Thupori), Gungma BARA (Spinpa, Sampa, MantholPa, Khanka, Pandiva, Darussalam, Mirikpa, Shourova, MominPa, QadeerPa, Tatous) |
Thalay | Haltagari Baltoro, daltir, yarkhor, taso, harangus, parangus, Chundu, khasomik, bordas, gaworic, lodas. |
Keris | Oroba, Sumalsa, kashiba, Sadat colony, Barchong, Khargrong, Dangah, Youljuk, Charathang, Ural Gone, Banpa,Mustafaabad,Shagaran,barchong. |
Religion
Majority of the people living in Ghanche are Muslims, with 80% belonging to Noorbakshia Islam, 15% belonging Ahl-i Hadith Muslims, whereas rest of the 5% are Shia and Sunni muslims. A religious leader locally called ‘Bowa’ has very important place in society.
Education
According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, Ghanche is ranked 29 out of 141 districts in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 118 out of 155.[12]
See also
- Geography of Gilgit-Baltistan
- Districts of Gilgit–Baltistan
- 2012 Siachen Glacier avalanche
- Noorbakhshia
- Dras
References
- "The serenity of Ghanche: Of mountains, rivers and valleys".
- "Mapping education in Pakistan 2015".
- "Rifts within Nurbakhshiyas: Dozens arrested after clashes in Ghanche Valley".
- "Khaplu — off the beaten path".
- Balghari, Sajjad H:"Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh Qahistani", Monthly Nawa-i-Sufia, Islamabad, Issoue No.12, 1995
- "History of Ganche and places to see". Archived from the original on 2013-06-18.
- Arz-e-Shimal by Alhaj Muhammad Ibrahim Zair
- "Turtuk, a Promised Land Between Two Hostile Neighbours".
- "An encounter with the 'king' of Turtuk, a border village near Gilgit-Baltistan".
- "geography of baltistan".
- District Body Ghanche
- "Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017" (PDF). Alif Ailaan. Retrieved 2019-08-16.