Azad Kashmir

Azad Jammu & Kashmir lies between longitude 730 – 750 and latitude 330- 360 and comprises of 5.134 Square Miles or 13.297 Square Kilometers.

The topography is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. The area is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. The main rivers are Jehlum. Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from 360 meters in the south to 6325 meters in the north. The snow line in winter is around 1200 meters above sea level while in summer it rises to 3300 meters.

The total population of 3.271 million.90% population is Muslim out of total population, 88% are living in rural area while 12% are the urban residents. The population density is 2252 persons per sq. kilometer. The literacy rate was reported 60% in 2003 census.

According to the most recent available survey by Northern Resources Management Program with the assistance of Overseas Economic Research Institute, the average annual household income is around Rs. 101900. Of the total Rs. 60834 (59.7%) is income from the off-farm & other activities while Rs. 41065 (40.3%) is termed as the farm income, which implies Rs. 14557 per capita of the total family income.

Area under cultivation is around 172400 hectares, which is about 13% of the total area of AJK.The average farm size is only 1.2 hectare, half of which is cultivated. A large proportion of farm land is uncultivable waste, including forest. Per Capita land holding is 0.159 hectares. The major crops are maize followed by Wheat & Rice while the minor crops include Grams, Pulses, Oil-Seeds and Vegetables.

The area under fruit cultivation is about 14460 hectares. The most important fruits are Apples, Pear, Apricots, Walnuts and Plums. The area controlled by forest department is about 566,969 hectares, which is 42.6% of the total geographical area. Deodar, Kail, Fur, Spruce, Cheer are some of the important species of trees under forests.

GOVERNMENT  

Azad Jammu & Kashmir has a parliamentary form of Government. The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the Constitutional Head of State, while the Prime Minister, Supported by a Council of Ministers, is the Chief Executive, Azad Kashmir has its own Supreme Court, High Court and Legislative Assembly comprising 40 directly and 8 indirectly elected members a member each from technocrats, Mushaikh, Overseas Kashmiris and 5 females.

ADMINISTRATION

Azad Kashmir is divided into two divisions Muzaffarabad and Mirpur and eight administrative districts with Muzaffarabad city as the capital of the state. The Muzaffarabad Division includes Muzaffarabad, Authmaqam, Bagh, Poonch and Sudhnuti districts whereas Mirpur Division comprises of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts.        

The People’s participation in the political process is ensured through the elected institution of local bodies. There are 202 Union Councils. 10 Town Committees. 30 Markaz Councils, 2 Municipal Corporation and 11 Municipal Committees with 19 sub-divisions (Tarakhel as proposed subdivision) and 1646 villages.

 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

At the time of partition in 1947, the economy in Azad Jammu and Kashmir was on subsistence level but the determination to develop the area was there. It was early 70’s when economic development of the area started in earnest. Despite financial constraints, planners made good efforts in laying down a proper path for rapid development of the area.

 DISTRICT-WISE AREA AND POPULATION

POPULATION FEATURES

MAJOR CROPS & FRUITS

LIVE STOCK & VETERINARY -2003 LIVE STOCK POPULATION

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