Budgam is one of the youngest districts of J&K, carved out as it was from the erstwhile District Srinagar in 1979. Situated at an average height of 5,281 feet above sea-level and at the 34°00´.54´´ N. Latitude and 74°.43´11´´ E. Longitude., the district was known as Deedmarbag in ancient times.
The topography of the district is mixed with both mountainous and plain areas. The climate is of the temperate type with the upper-reaches receiving heavy snowfall in winter. The average annual rainfall of the district is 585 mm.
While the southern and south-western parts are mostly hilly, the eastern and northern parts of the district are plain. The average height of the mountains is 1,610 m and the total area under forest cover is 477 sq. km. The soil is loose and mostly denuded karewas dot the landscape.
Comprising Three Sub-Divisions - Beerwah, Chadoora and Khansahib; Nine Tehsils - Budgam, Beerwah, B.K.Pora, Chadoora, Charisharief, Khag, Khansahib, Magam and Narbal; the district has been divided into seventeen blocks namely Beerwah, Budgam, B.K.Pora, Chadoora, ChrariSharief, Khag, Khansahib, Nagam, Narbal, Pakherpoa, Parnewa, Rathsun, Soibugh, Sukhnag, Surasyar, S.K.Pora and Waterhail which serve as prime units of economic development. Budgam has been further sliced into 281 panchayats comprising 504 revenue villages.
AREA AND LOCATION
Asset Figure Altitude from sea level 1610 Mtrs. Total Geographical Area 1361 Sq. Kms. Gross Irrigated Area 40550 hects Total Area Sown 58318 hects Forest Area 477 Sq. Kms. Population 7.53 lacs (2011 census) ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP
Sub. Divisions 03 Tehsils 09 Nayabats 25 CD Blocks 17 Municipalities 06 Patwar Halqas 110
Revenue villages 504 Panchayats 281
TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS
The general topography of the area is both mountainous and plain. While the southern and south-western parts are mostly hilly, the eastern and northern parts are relatively plain. The average height of the mountains is 1,610 meters. The soil is loose and mostly denuded karewas dot the landscape.
CLIMATE
The Climate of the District is temperate and is more or less the same as that of the Srinagar District, except that its higher regions get heavier snowfalls & experience severe cold in winter. The District however, experiences adequate rainfall but the kandi area of the District often receives insufficient rainfall causing sometimes complete crop failures. On the other hand, the low-lying areas flanking on left side of the Jhelum are marshy and often flooded during heavy rains. The District had earlier 3 metrological stations for recording the rainfall, which has turned non-functional for last few years past.
POPULATION
A) GENERAL:-As per 2011 census, the Districtconsists5.86% of the total population of the state and has a population of 753745souls consisting of 398041males & 355704females which gives a sex ratio of 893. The density per Sq Km is 554 souls. The decadal growth rate of population of the District is 21.18% against the state level percentage of 23.71%.
B) RURAL–URBAN COMPOSITION:-The District is mostly rural in character with exception of small Towns/MC like Beerwah, Budgam, Chadoora, Charisharief, Khansahib, & Magam. Besides as per2011census 87% (i.e., 655833souls) of the population resides in rural areas which seem to be asymptotically stagnant in comparison with the 2001 Census figures. Similarly 13%population (i.e., 97912) as per census-2011 falls in the urban areas of the District which seems to be constant with 2001-census figures. The reason for remaining rural/urban population figures constant during census-2011 is that some main populated areas like Bemina, Humhama etc. have been excluded from District Budgam and included in District Srinagar during census-2011.
C) WORKING FORCE:-The census 2011 results show total working force of 214866which comprise of 34173(16%) cultivators, 14401(7%) engaged in household industry, 154732 (71%) engaged in other economic pursuits& remaining 11560(6%) as agriculture labours.
D) AGE COMPOSITION:-As per 2011 census, out of the total population of 7.537lakh souls, the child population (in the age group 0-6 years) is 155202i.e; 20.59%comprising 84720males and 70482 females. The significant factor of child population is that male population in ratio has exceeded the female population.
E) LITERACY:-There has been a tremendous change in the literacy percentage during the last decades, even the District ranks at 20thamongall the Districts of the state. Among 335649literate population, there are 207741males and 127908females. The literacy rate of the District is 57.98% (in which malesare68.18% and females 46.60%) which is far behind the state level literacy averagei.e, 68.74%.
F) RESIDENTIAL HOUSES: -As per 2011Census Budgam District has a household strength of 103363with the average number of inmates per residential house as 7 souls. In rural areas the No. of households was of the order of 89417, while as it was 13946 only in urban areas.
G) DEVELOPMENT REVIEW:-Budgam District falls among the backward area of the state. However after assuming the status of District and with the introduction of decentralized planning, the development process has picked up and significant achievement has been made in all sectors of economy with the significant impact on the socio-economic life of the people of the District.
LITERACY RATE 57.98% (2011 Census)
RURAL URBAN RATIO
With a predominately rural outlook, 86 % of the population in the district lives in its villages and are primarily involved in agricultural operations.
DENSITY OF POPULATION
The density of population in the district is 537 persons per sq. Km. as per 2011 Census.
SEX-RATIO
According to 2011 Census, population of the District is 7.53 lacs with gender ratio of 833/1000.
CROPPING PATTERN
The weather conditions in the Valley as well as in the district being temperate, multiple cropping has not been successful. Paddy and maize are the main crops while as pulses and vegetables are also grown in different pockets of the district. However, the district is trying a few experiments with unconventional farming, results of which have been encouraging so far.
PROMINENT SAINTS AND THEIR RESTING PLACES
Saint Place Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA) Charisharief