JAMMU PROVINCE
The strip
of level land at the northernmost extremity of the plains of the
Punjab which touches the low ridges of the hills and spreads over a large tract, constitutes what is called the
"region of the outer hills." Varying in
height from 60 m to 1,200 m above the sea level, these rugged hills run
parallel to one another enclosing small, narrow valleys.
The province of Jammu lies between the
"outer hills" region bounding the valley
of Kashmir in the south, and the hilly tract extending to the plains of the
Punjab. The river Ravi flows in the east of this region and the river Jhelum in
the west. The river Chenab issues forth from the mountain into the plains near the
town of Akhnur and flows through the Jammu district before entering the plains
of the Punjab.
 The
"outer hills" region consists of Kdhampur, Ramnagar, and Rampur. The rugged
hills give way in the north and north-east to the outer hills of the Shiwaliks,
1,200 m to 3,600 m above the sea level. There is a continuous rise in elevation
to what are conveniently called the "middle hills" or the middle Himalayas. In
this region lie the districts of Batote, Bhadarwah, Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban.
Jammu city, the winter capital of the state, stands on the spurs of a rugged
hill overlooking the plains and the river Tawi. The city is about 300 m above
the sea level and about 4 km wide. According to 1991 census, the city had a
population of 1,207,996. The prominent features of the city are its temples,
whose pointed spires can be seen from afar. Other towns in this plain, and to
the east of the river Chenab are Basoli, Ramkot, Ramnagr, and Samba and to the west
of Chenab, Akhnur and Bhimber.
The Jammu district occupies an area of 26,089.4 sq km. The relief features of
the province provide interesting climatic as well as floral phenomena. There is
a sort of wind divide starting from Poonch and extending to the southern edge
of the Pir Panjal. The area has summer precipitation. As in the plains,
the south-west monsoons cause rain in the "outer plains" area and the
"outer hills" region. As the altitude rises towards the "middle
mountains" area of Batote, Bhadarwah, Kishtwar, Padar, and Banihal, the summer rainfall averages
45 inches (113 cm). Riasi and Poonch get more than 60 inches (150 cm) of
rainfall annually. The "outer plains" areas of Ramnagar, Ramkot, Samba,
Basoli, Akhnur, and Bhimber experience the extremes of tropical heat. The
average annual rainfall in Jammu district is nearly 45 inches (113 cm). The hot
season lasts from April to June, followed by the rainy season from July to
September. Winter lasts from October to March.
There is a luxurious growth of vegetation all over the
"outer hill" and the "middle mountains" areas which is mostly of tropical variety. The upper reaches
of the mountains are thickly covered with coniferous forests. The lower regions
have forests of silver fir, deodar, spruce, oak, and pine. The best varieties
of pine and deodar are found in the dense forests of Kishtwar and Bhadarwah. The
"plain area" bounds in cactus varieties of bushes and trees.
The main crops in the Jammu valley are maize, rice, millet,
barley, and wheat.
Jammu province is rich in minerals coal, bauxite, copper, zinc, and lead are
abundant. Sapphire mines are located at higher elevations in the Papar valley.
Semi - precious stones like beryl and aquamarine and crystals like quartz and
felopar are also found in the region. Riasi has coal, gem stones, gypsum,
clay, copper, bauxite, and iron ore.
Though little known, the tableland of Kishtwar is flanked by the high and steep
mountains of the "middle mountains" region, the highest point being 4,089 km
above sea level. It has an area of 7,311 sq km. Kistwar is famous for mines of
sapphire and rubies. The climate is pleasant and bracing in summer and cold in
winter.
Kishtwar and
Bhadarwah, with heavily forested
mountains are regular haunts
of hunters. They can hunt panthers, black and red bear,
wild goat, ibex, musk deer, wolf, barasingha, pig, Himalayan chamois,
leopard, etc. In the river beds, swamps and low forests, a variety of winged
game-duck, goose, chakor, monal pheasant, partridge and snipe are found
in preserves for sportsmen.
Saffron is grown here. Black cumin, medicinal
herbs
like banafsha, kahzaban, dhoop, musk, bala, artemesia and belladonna are grown in the
region. Narcotic herbs are also found. Blankets and leather
goods of the region are famous.
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