District Profile MANSEHRA Prepared By SMEDA, NWFP Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority Ministry of Industries & Production Government of Pakistan February, 2009 Table of Contents S.No Contents Page No 1 Introduction……………………………………………….……. ………1 2 History…………………………………………………….…...... ………2 3 Economic Scenario of the district…………………….….......... ………3 4 Economic Potential……………………………………….…….. ………4 4.1 Agriculture.……………………………….…………………. ………4 4.2 Horticulture.……………………………….………………… ………4 4.3 Forestry ……………………………………………….…...... ………5 4.4 Livestock and Fisheries…………….………….……………. ………5 4.5 Industry……………………………………………….…....... ………5 4.6 Mineral………………………………………………………. ………6 4.7 Tourism……………………………………………………… ………6 a) Baffa…..……………………….…....................... ………7 b) Dadar…………………………………….………. ………7 c) Balakot……………………………....................... ………8 d) Kaghan Valley…………………………............... ………8 e) Shogran………………………………………….. ………8 f) Naran…………………………………………….. ………9 5 Trade and trade centers……………………………………….. …..…10 6 Small Investment Projects for the District…………………… …..…11 6.1 Trout Farming……………………………………………. …..…12 6.2 Embroidery Stitching Unit ……….……………………... …..…14 6.3 Poultry Farm………….………………………………….. ……..15 6.4 Honey Bee Keeping……………………………………… …..…16 6.5 Walk In Tunnel Vegetables Farm……………………….. …..…17 … 1. Introduction: The name of District ‘Mansehra’ is derived from its headquarters town Mansehra. It is named after Man Singh, the Governor General under the rule of Ranjit Singh. Mansehra is the North Eastern District of N.W.F.P and at altitude of 975.36 meters (3200 feet). It was a large district with a total area of 4,579 sq km. According to 1998 Census Report its total population is 1,152,839 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4% with literacy rate 36.3%. Main languages spoken and understand here are Hindko, Pashtoo, Gojree and our national language Urdu is very common and understand most. 50% people understand English language. The famous Babusar pass is situated on the north-eastern boundary of the district. The Nanga Parbat Mountain is located about 40 kilometers from the north eastern boundary of the district. Mansehra is a beautiful area and has very famous areas around it which are always very brilliant and give a nice look to the eyes and are the best example of the natural beauty. There are two cropping seasons in the district. One is called ‘Kharif’ which ranges from April to September. Maize, rice and seasonal vegetables are grown in this season. Second is called ‘Rabi’ which ranges from the month of October to March. Wheat, peas and other seasonal vegetables are grown in this season. Due to favorable climatic conditions, the district is rich in vegetables and fruits. Cabbage, carrot and reddish in vegetables and peaches, plums and pears in fruit are grown in the area. District Mansehra is rich in flora. A variety of herbs is found throughout the district. Many of these herbs are used for medicinal purposes. These include Gulkhaira, Khtmi, Musli Sufead, Kadpai, Thandibotti, Sumal, Kakul, Ispaghol, Patris, Manira, Chora, Banafsha, Bantol, Chau, Kuthi Raisha Khatmi and Nera. A large variety of fauna is also available in the district. This includes leopard, porcupine, black bear, monal, and koklas pheasant, jackal, wild goat, brown bear, wolf and other migratory birds. 2. History: Mansehra (former Pakhli Sarkar) has a very old history in the Sub-Continent. Its geographical boundaries have constantly been changed in the times of various Rajas, Maharajahs and Kings in the past. Alexander the Great after conquering the northern India established his rule over a large part of it. Different historians are of the opinion that in the year 327 B.C. Alexander handed over this area to Abisaras, the Raja of Poonch state. During Maurya dynasty Mansehra remained a part of Taxila. In second century A.D. a mythical Hindu king Raja Risalu, son of Raja Salbahan of Sialkot, brought this area under his way. The local people consider him as their hero and even today parents narrate to their children the stories of Raja Risalu and his wife Rani Konklan in the winter nights. It is also said that Turkey Shahi and Hindu Shahi dynasties ruled Pakhli one after another. Again in the 11th century A.D. after the fall of Hindu Shahi dynasty, the Kashmiris occupied this area under the leadership of Kalashan (1063 to 1089 A.D). In the last quarter of the 12th century A.D. Asalat Khan, a General of Mohammad Ghuri, captured this area but soon after Mohammad Ghuri's death the Kashmiris once again occupied it. In 1472 A.D. Prince Shahab-ud-Din came from Kabul and established his rule here. He founded the state namely Pakhli Sarkar and chose Village Gulibagh as his capital. The first quarter of the 18th century A.D became miserable for the Turks because their rule came to an end due to the decay of their vitality, and the increasing aggression of the Pukhtoons and their allied forces. The most crucial attack was that of the Swatis under the command of Syed Jalal Baba in 1703 A.D. They ousted the Turks and captured this area. In 1849 A.D this area came under the direct control of the British. In 1901 when NWFP province was formed, Hazara was separated from the Punjab and made a part of NWFP. Today Mansehra is a place of scenic beauty. The climate is cold in much winter and pleasantly warm in summer. The northern part like Kaghan valley is cold in summer and extremely cold in winter and it receives heavy snow fall. District has two distinct seasons; the summer season which lasts from April to September and winter season which is from October to March. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures during the month of June are about 35° C and 21° C respectively. 3. Economic Scenario of the district: Mansehra foremost economy depends on diverse alternatives such as, agriculture, Poultry, mining, tourism and reliance on natural resources. Its population growth rate is higher, but its land fertility offer great opportunity for the people to earn and fulfill their daily life needs. Agricultural product of the area includes Wheat, peas and other seasonal vegetables. Due to favorable climatic conditions, the district is rich in vegetables and fruit. Vegetables include Cabbage, carrot and reddish and fruits of this area include peaches, plums and pears. District Mansehra is affluent in flora. A diversity of herbs is found all over the district. Several of these herbs are used for medicinal purposes. Agriculture land is being intensively cultivated and more fragile land is brought under agriculture through the cultivation of steep slopes and forest encroachments. In this continuation the people of different villages of Hazara Division who either did not have land or having very small land holding started work on some other sources of income for their livelihood and most of them went towards cottage industry (Crochet, Adda and other Handicrafts). Livestock and fisheries are the main source of milk and meat etc. Profusion of Poultry farms are also found in this district. Bullocks and cows are also used for ploughing. A lot of migrant families keep their sheep and travel remote and ample their cattle. In Mansehra, the production from various fisheries is 9.900 million tons. District Mansehra is also one of the major mining regions of the NWFP. In terms of infrastructure, the district is relatively well served both by major roads and telecommunications networks. Mansehra also has very much importance from tourist point of view. It has famous hill stations, historical lakes, and gorgeous valleys which provides charming scenic and beauty to the eyes. Tourism contributes much to the GDP of Pakistan. The economy of the area is largely agrarian, with high dependence on natural resources which have already depleted. Due to high population growth rate, small land holdings and lack of alternative sources of income, the pressure on land and natural resources is continuously increasing. 4. Economic Potential 4.1 Agriculture: Only one-fourth of the total area of the district is constituted of plains. The plains where irrigation facilities are available and food grain likes wheat and maize are produced in sufficient quantity. The main crop of Rabi is wheat and of Kharif are maize and rice. Others crops being produced are barley, onion, potatoes (Rabi) and sugarcane (Kharif). Important cash crop is tobacco. Good quality tobacco is grown in Pakhli plains. Apotato Research Center is working at Batakundi near Kaghan and an Agriculture Research Station is established at Dhodial. Prospects of tea cultivation are very favorable according to the experts and a research station for this purpose is working at Baidadi near Mansehra. The lack of irrigation facilities in the district has affected the productivity of the soil in spite of its fertility. Total area of the district is 10,67,291 acres out of which 2,58,999 acres is cultivated and 8,08,292 acres is uncultivated. Irrigated land is 48,571 acres only. Thus the land proves not much productive. Cultivation mainly depends on seasonal rainfall. The soil of Pakhli plain is very fertile and productive due to irrigation facilities. Horticulture The science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants is called Horticulture. Agriculture plays an important role in Pakistan's economy contributing 25% to GDP, employs 44% work force of country. With in agriculture the horticulture is an important sector, production of fruits 6.2m tons, vegetables 5.0m tons, citrus 2.0m tons, mangoes 1.0m tons, dates 0.63m tons and apples 0.4m tons. Total exports of fruits and vegetables for 120435000 US$ and quantity 471693tons.Due to favorable climatic conditions, the district is rich in vegetables and fruits. Some of the major vegetables and fruits are cabbage, carrot, reddish, peaches, plums, pears, citrus, loquat, banana, apricot, apple walnut and persimmon. 4.2 Forestry: Mansehra is one of the richest districts as regards the forest wealth of Pakistan, having many small and large forests scattered throughout the region.