HILL DISTRICT STATUS FOR BHALESSA, (GANDOH, KAHARA and CHILLY PINGAL)

Sadaket Malik

Bhalessa-comprises valleys of Gandoh, Chilly Pingal, Jitota, Basnota, kahara and Nanhota. It includes Gandoh upto Khaljugasar straddling boarder with chamba District, Chilly Pingal  and Kahara Malano upto the rivulets of Donadi. This beautiful valleys are drained by Kalgoni stream whereas the former emerges from the mountain ranges of Chamba near the Sach Peak. The later emerges from the Katari range near Son Bain (Golden Spring) mountain. The two rivults unite near Donadi, a few miles above Thathri on the National Highway 1 B where it finally merges into the Chenab River. The main divisions viz a viz locations are Neeli, Jatota, Pingal, Chilli, Nanota and Basnota. By road, bus services from Doda connect Bhalessa.

The folk people of Bhalessa were called Bhalls in the past which makes one to believe that queen Bhala of Raja Nagpal had a visit to the terrain. There are variety of opinions from different people regarding the origin of its name “Bhalessa” some talk it as Land of “Bhaley Manus” (Bhaley Lougun Ka Desh) which is meant the decent people with distinct identity. Dr. P K Koul who conducted a research on Bhaderwah, Chamba, Kangra and Bhalessa in early nineties opines that the Bhalessa area derived its name from Queen Bhalla-The Queen of Nagpal. Some people regard it as land of “Bhalay Loug” (The right people with right destiny). It has become very difficult for the person of my small stature at least to gauge the history of this otherwise hilly terrain. Before this book saw a light of the day, I go through the pages of several researches conducted on the Himalayan region. The historical evidence regarding the area like of Bhalessa is not found widely in the books like “Rajtarangni” of Kalhana or other regional studies. Nevertheless, some of the historians like Dr. P K Koul, Parvaiz Deewan (IAS) and Wali Mohd. Aseer has had spared their lines regarding Bhalessa.

          Bhalessa had come into existence in the year 1948 and its Headquarter is located at a distance of 241 Kmts from the Jammu winter capital and 282 kmts from the Srinagar, the summer capital of the state. The area is located between 32-52 and 41-97 degree longitude.

Picturesque mountains

There is enough potential to hold back the tourist in the area for at least a fortnight. Imagine how much good it could do to the local economy. Places of pilgrimages if promoted will help bringing the tourist to these areas even while the infrastructure is being developed. Of late, The Tourism Development Authority required to be established firstly.

Bal Padri:

Bhalessa presents beautiful picturesque as well as attractive fields on way to Padri Top which could be promoted as a health resort as well as a picnic spot. It is on huge heights and one could find large snow field here even in the month of June.Picturesque valley made of small streams and White Nullah‟s flowing towards main valley of Bhalessa. This is also regarded as Nag Lotun. It is four kilometers away from Chamba Padri. Enough scope exists for Gandola rope ways. Bhadherwah to Kansar could be a good Gandola venture with Khanni Top, Padri Dhaar , Nagni MataTemple and Jaai Valley are lying aroundBhalessa.

Baj Dhar:

Located at the upper reaches of Jitota Balessa connecting Bhaderwah is a picturesque and looks scenic during summers.

Goha Dhar:

Connecting boarder of Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, there lies a beautiful Goha Dhar attracting most of te tourists here. In summers, there seemed nomadic tribes with their cattles. The cool Goha will attract the tourists.

Rohari Dhar:

Almighty has bestowed the upper reaches of Bhalessa a sense of adventure, beauty, and gloriousness, The beautiful Rohari Dhar lies in the near khaljugasar- the last panchayat of Bhalessa. The cold air touches the hearts of tourists here. On the either side of Rohari there lies areas of Mankun and Chishool, The pedestrian can reach the area of Chamba within two hours. If we analyse the distance by road, if developed by the authorities, the area shall get directly connected with the Himachal Pradesh, thereby opening the vistas of trade and knowing each others cultures and traditions.

Nagni Dar: In Chanti Ginshana area of Bhalessa, is located a picturesque Nagni, and is a main centre for tourists, school children, and locals.

Damoth Dhar:

This beautiful valley of Bhalessa town is located in the upper reaches of Bharti-Dhosa on the one side and is spread up to chilly Mano-kota on the other side. The valley is connecting snow clad mountains in winter and is glorious in summers.

Mehal Dhar:

Mehal Dhar is another picturesque valley of Bhalessa lie in Chilly area.The area is full of snowy mountains and is presenting a heart touching beauty to the tourists. In summer session, the Hindu pilgrims visit this place. Historically speaking, in ancient times, the valley was named after Prince Mehal Nag who lived here, He was Raja of Bhalessa.

          The main stream in Bhalessa is Kalgoni straching from “Kansozoo” that merge into the Chenab. Besides this there are some other small Streems/ Nullahs such as Beer Sow with its origin from Ludoo Kansar with enormous hight, Kanchu sohow near Makhan Chuchool (local popular name of Hindus and Muslims) has its origin near Goha Kahagugasar. These rivers flow through gorges and are mainly exploited for generation of Hydel Power. Of late Bhalessa is rich in natural resources if exploited may contribute for the state‟s economy.

          Bhalessa is an administrative unit of Doda headquarter at Gandoh. It is controlled by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate and other officers. Bhalessa and Bhaderwah comprise one assembly segment of Jammu and Kashmir. It was a single administrative unit until 2014, at which time separate tehsils and niabats were established for Bhatyas, Jakyas, Chilly, Kahara and Changa. The Tehsil was firstly established at Gandoh in 1981. 

          Bhalessa ranked 3rd in Doda District in terms of Population. It ranked 60th in the state. As per the Census record of Government of India, the total population of the area is The Population of the area is 83636 as per census records; there are 66 Revenue Villages, 52 Panchayats in Bhalessa. The distance From District Headquarter Doda to Gandoh to Doda is 66 kilometers whereas the distance from Gandoh Bhalessa to Bhaderwah is 96 kilometers.

As per the Cabinet decision No 128/11/2014, Dated 16/07/2014, sanction has been accorded by the government of the state for the establishment of the new Tehsils at Chilly Pingal and Kahara and new Niabats at Jakyas, Changa, Manoo, Sinoo, Khaljugasar, Bharti kaku.

Sub Division Gandoh is connected by a single road which passes to Bhaderwah through Pul Doda which is only 5 kms from District HQ Doda. . The average distance from Gandoh to Bhaderwah is 144Kms, Sub Div Gandoh to Doda is 101.50 Kms.

The recent decision of the Government for attaching Sub Division Gandoh with ADC Bhaderwah is unjust and need withdrawal keeping in view the proximity of Bhalessa and Thathri with District Headquarter Doda. The distance from Bhalessa to Thathri is just 30 Kilometers. There has been a strong resentment among the citizens of Bhalessa against the decision of the government for attaching Bhalessa with ADC Bhaderwah. It is unjust for the people of Bhalessa to visit 99 kilometers to Bhaderwah from Gandoh Bhalessa by crossing the district headquarter Doda that is only 66 kms away from Bhalessa. However Distance from remote villages of Bhalessa Like Khaljugasar, Manoo, Gingota to Bhaderwah is 115 kms. People are on roads for immediate removal of attachment of Sub Division Bhalessa with Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah.

It is worthwhile to mention here that  sub division need to be upgraded and the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner be created to provide solace to the people.

Apart from this, the people are demanding Hill District Status to the three Tehsils i.e Tehsil Gandoh, Tehsil Chilly Pingal and Tehsil Kahara that will be better for administrative convenience for these inaccessible areas. In order to provide solace to these unaccessible areas of all these tehsils, a separate District is the urgent need of the hour.

(Sadaket Malik is a Research Scholar in LPU, based in Bhalessa (Doda) and can be mailed at sadaket.lpu@gmail.com