Pauri Garhwal | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Pauri Garhwal
Located partly in the Gangetic plain and partly in the northern Himalayas,
Pauri Garhwal district encompasses an area of 5,230 sq. km. and is situated
between 29° 45’ to 30°15’ North Latitude and 78° 24’ to 79° 23’ East
Longitude. The district is bordered on the southwest by Bijnor district, Uttar
Pradesh, and, clockwise from west to southeast, by the Uttarakhand districts
of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora, and
Nainital.
The climate of Pauri Garhwal is mostly pleasant in summer and cold in
winter. In the rainy season the climate is cool and the landscape green.
However, in Kotdwar and the adjoining Bhabar area, it is quite hot, reaching
the high 40s Celsius during the summer. In the winter, many parts of Pauri
receive snowfall.
History- Through the ages, the evolution of human civilization in the
Garhwal Himalayan has been parallel to the rest of Indian sub-continent.
Katyuri was the first historical dynasty, which rule over unified Uttarakhand
and left some important records in the form of inscriptions and temples. In
later period after the downfall of Katyuri’s, it is believed that Garhwal region
was fragmented in more than sixty-four principalities ruled by the Chieftain,
one of the principal Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was ruled by
descendent of Kanakpal. In the mid of 15
th
 century A.D. Chandpurgarh
emerged as a powerful principality under the rule of Jagatpal (1455 to 1493
A.D.), who was a descendent of Kanakpal. In the fag end of 15
th
 century
Ajaypal enthroned the Chandpurgarh and succeeded in unifying and
consolidating various principalities on the region with in a Kingdom and his
Kingdom came to known as Garhwal. Subsequently, he had transferred his
capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later on to Srinagar
during 1506 to 1519 A.D.
King Ajaypal and his successors ruled the Garhwal for nearly three hundred
years even during this period they had faced a number of attacks from
Kumaon, Mughal, Sikh, Rohilla. An important event in the history of
Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. It was marked by extreme brutality and
the word ‘Gorkhyani’ has become synonymous with massacre and marauding
Page 2


Pauri Garhwal
Located partly in the Gangetic plain and partly in the northern Himalayas,
Pauri Garhwal district encompasses an area of 5,230 sq. km. and is situated
between 29° 45’ to 30°15’ North Latitude and 78° 24’ to 79° 23’ East
Longitude. The district is bordered on the southwest by Bijnor district, Uttar
Pradesh, and, clockwise from west to southeast, by the Uttarakhand districts
of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora, and
Nainital.
The climate of Pauri Garhwal is mostly pleasant in summer and cold in
winter. In the rainy season the climate is cool and the landscape green.
However, in Kotdwar and the adjoining Bhabar area, it is quite hot, reaching
the high 40s Celsius during the summer. In the winter, many parts of Pauri
receive snowfall.
History- Through the ages, the evolution of human civilization in the
Garhwal Himalayan has been parallel to the rest of Indian sub-continent.
Katyuri was the first historical dynasty, which rule over unified Uttarakhand
and left some important records in the form of inscriptions and temples. In
later period after the downfall of Katyuri’s, it is believed that Garhwal region
was fragmented in more than sixty-four principalities ruled by the Chieftain,
one of the principal Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was ruled by
descendent of Kanakpal. In the mid of 15
th
 century A.D. Chandpurgarh
emerged as a powerful principality under the rule of Jagatpal (1455 to 1493
A.D.), who was a descendent of Kanakpal. In the fag end of 15
th
 century
Ajaypal enthroned the Chandpurgarh and succeeded in unifying and
consolidating various principalities on the region with in a Kingdom and his
Kingdom came to known as Garhwal. Subsequently, he had transferred his
capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later on to Srinagar
during 1506 to 1519 A.D.
King Ajaypal and his successors ruled the Garhwal for nearly three hundred
years even during this period they had faced a number of attacks from
Kumaon, Mughal, Sikh, Rohilla. An important event in the history of
Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. It was marked by extreme brutality and
the word ‘Gorkhyani’ has become synonymous with massacre and marauding
armies. After subjugating Doti and Kumaon, Gorkhas attacked Garhwal and
reached as far as Langoorgarh despite stiff resistance put up by the Garhwali
forces. But in the meantime, news came of a Chinese invasion and the
Gorkhas were forced to lift the siege. However, in 1803, they again mounted
an invasion. After capturing Kumaon, they attach Garhwal in three columns.
Five thousand Garhwali soldiers could not stand the fury of their attack and
the King Pradyumna Shah escaped to Dehradun to organize his defense. But
his forces were no match to the Gorkha might. Garhwali soldiers suffered
heavy casualties and the King himself was killed in the battle of Khudbuda.
The Gorkhas became the masters of entire Garhwal in 1804 and ruled the
territory for twelve years.
Gorkha ruled in the Garhwal area ended in 1815 when the British drove the
Gorkhas to the West of Kali river, despite stiff resistance offered by them.
After defeat of Gorkha army, the Britishers on 21 April 1815, decided to
establish their rule over the eastern, half of the Garhwal region, which lies
east of Alaknanda & Mandakini river, later on, known as ‘British Garhwal’
and Dun of Dehradun. The remaining part of the Garhwal in the west was
restored to King Sudershan Shah who established his capital at Tehri.
Initially the administration was entrusted to the commissioner of the Kumaon
and Garhwal with his headquarters at Nainital, but later Garhwal was
separated and formed into a separate district in 1840 A.D. under an assistant
commissioner with his headquarter at Pauri.
At the time of independence, Garhwal, Almora and Nainital districts were
administered through commissioner of Kumaon division. In early 1960,
Chamoli district was curved out of Garhwal district. In 1969 Garhwal
division was formed with its headquarter at Pauri. After curving out of
seventy-two villages of Khirsu block of district Pauri Garwhal in 1998 for
creation of new district of Rudraprayag, the district is reached in its present
form.
Geography- Pauri is the headquarter of Pauri Garhwal district and is
located at the height of 1650 m. and has a population of 24,743. This is fairly
located on high altitude amongst the Deodar forest and on the northern slopes
of the ridge, which provide one of the ice-clad mountain chains. Besides
Alaknanda, Nayyar River is the major river of the district and is one of the
major tributies of Alaknanda which is called Nayyar after the confluence of
eastern and Western Nayyar at Satpuli. Both the Nayyars originate from the
Page 3


Pauri Garhwal
Located partly in the Gangetic plain and partly in the northern Himalayas,
Pauri Garhwal district encompasses an area of 5,230 sq. km. and is situated
between 29° 45’ to 30°15’ North Latitude and 78° 24’ to 79° 23’ East
Longitude. The district is bordered on the southwest by Bijnor district, Uttar
Pradesh, and, clockwise from west to southeast, by the Uttarakhand districts
of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora, and
Nainital.
The climate of Pauri Garhwal is mostly pleasant in summer and cold in
winter. In the rainy season the climate is cool and the landscape green.
However, in Kotdwar and the adjoining Bhabar area, it is quite hot, reaching
the high 40s Celsius during the summer. In the winter, many parts of Pauri
receive snowfall.
History- Through the ages, the evolution of human civilization in the
Garhwal Himalayan has been parallel to the rest of Indian sub-continent.
Katyuri was the first historical dynasty, which rule over unified Uttarakhand
and left some important records in the form of inscriptions and temples. In
later period after the downfall of Katyuri’s, it is believed that Garhwal region
was fragmented in more than sixty-four principalities ruled by the Chieftain,
one of the principal Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was ruled by
descendent of Kanakpal. In the mid of 15
th
 century A.D. Chandpurgarh
emerged as a powerful principality under the rule of Jagatpal (1455 to 1493
A.D.), who was a descendent of Kanakpal. In the fag end of 15
th
 century
Ajaypal enthroned the Chandpurgarh and succeeded in unifying and
consolidating various principalities on the region with in a Kingdom and his
Kingdom came to known as Garhwal. Subsequently, he had transferred his
capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later on to Srinagar
during 1506 to 1519 A.D.
King Ajaypal and his successors ruled the Garhwal for nearly three hundred
years even during this period they had faced a number of attacks from
Kumaon, Mughal, Sikh, Rohilla. An important event in the history of
Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. It was marked by extreme brutality and
the word ‘Gorkhyani’ has become synonymous with massacre and marauding
armies. After subjugating Doti and Kumaon, Gorkhas attacked Garhwal and
reached as far as Langoorgarh despite stiff resistance put up by the Garhwali
forces. But in the meantime, news came of a Chinese invasion and the
Gorkhas were forced to lift the siege. However, in 1803, they again mounted
an invasion. After capturing Kumaon, they attach Garhwal in three columns.
Five thousand Garhwali soldiers could not stand the fury of their attack and
the King Pradyumna Shah escaped to Dehradun to organize his defense. But
his forces were no match to the Gorkha might. Garhwali soldiers suffered
heavy casualties and the King himself was killed in the battle of Khudbuda.
The Gorkhas became the masters of entire Garhwal in 1804 and ruled the
territory for twelve years.
Gorkha ruled in the Garhwal area ended in 1815 when the British drove the
Gorkhas to the West of Kali river, despite stiff resistance offered by them.
After defeat of Gorkha army, the Britishers on 21 April 1815, decided to
establish their rule over the eastern, half of the Garhwal region, which lies
east of Alaknanda & Mandakini river, later on, known as ‘British Garhwal’
and Dun of Dehradun. The remaining part of the Garhwal in the west was
restored to King Sudershan Shah who established his capital at Tehri.
Initially the administration was entrusted to the commissioner of the Kumaon
and Garhwal with his headquarters at Nainital, but later Garhwal was
separated and formed into a separate district in 1840 A.D. under an assistant
commissioner with his headquarter at Pauri.
At the time of independence, Garhwal, Almora and Nainital districts were
administered through commissioner of Kumaon division. In early 1960,
Chamoli district was curved out of Garhwal district. In 1969 Garhwal
division was formed with its headquarter at Pauri. After curving out of
seventy-two villages of Khirsu block of district Pauri Garwhal in 1998 for
creation of new district of Rudraprayag, the district is reached in its present
form.
Geography- Pauri is the headquarter of Pauri Garhwal district and is
located at the height of 1650 m. and has a population of 24,743. This is fairly
located on high altitude amongst the Deodar forest and on the northern slopes
of the ridge, which provide one of the ice-clad mountain chains. Besides
Alaknanda, Nayyar River is the major river of the district and is one of the
major tributies of Alaknanda which is called Nayyar after the confluence of
eastern and Western Nayyar at Satpuli. Both the Nayyars originate from the
Dudatoli range and drain their water to the south. The high ranges in the
Nayyar catchments areThailisain (Dudatoli – Chakisain ridge), Baijro
(Pokhra – Demdeval ridge), Khirsu-Mandakhal (Pauri 0– Adwani – Kanskhet
ridge), Bironkhal (Lansdowne – Gumkhal – Dwarikhal ridge) & Rathwadhab
(Dugadda – Kandi ridge).
Climate- The region has a sub-temperate to temperate climate, which
remains pleasant throughout the year. The maximum temperature recorded in
the month of June is 45°C at Kotdwar while in the higher reaches at
Dudhatoli it only rises to 25°C. Temperature descends to a minimum of
1.3°C in January, and mean monthly temperature for the region ranges from
25°C to 30°C. The hilly terrain with its densely forested slopes receives
adequate rainfall generally commencing from mid-June and extending till
mid-September. Occasional rainfall is also recorded in winter. Average
annual rainfall in the district is 218 cm, about 90 percent of which is
generally concentrated over the monsoon. Relative humidity varies between
54 and 63 percent. The higher reaches receive some snow in winter when
temperature falls to freezing point.
Soils- Soils of the region have been formed either through pedogenetic
processes or are transported soils. The pedogenetic soils are the one which
have been formed by long duration of exposure to atmospheric agencies,
physical and chemical weathering and rock slides. Such types of soils are
derived from granite Gneissic, schistose and phyllite rocks. These soils
obtained high percentage of silica from their parent body, while the soils
formed from the limestone are rich in calcium carbonate. The transported
soils are carried and deposited by the streams. Their parent body and source
rocks lie at far away places. Some of these soils have mixed origin pf glacial
and fluvio-glacial origin. These soils of takus, fans and terraces are silt to
clayey loam and are very fertile. The brown forest soils contain very high
percentage of organic matter. The katil soils are stony, immature and
extremely poor. Soils of Upraon are gravelly and sandy Loams, they are
brown of Talaon. The Talaon soils are brown in colour with clayey texture.
The stony texture provides higher rate of erosion
Topograophy- The topography of Pauri Garhwal is rugged and except for
the narrow strip of Bhabar, the entire region is mountainous. The highest
point of the area is 3116 mtrs at Dudatoli and the lowest point of the area is
295 mtrs near Chilla. The village located at the hightest level is Dobri, which
Page 4


Pauri Garhwal
Located partly in the Gangetic plain and partly in the northern Himalayas,
Pauri Garhwal district encompasses an area of 5,230 sq. km. and is situated
between 29° 45’ to 30°15’ North Latitude and 78° 24’ to 79° 23’ East
Longitude. The district is bordered on the southwest by Bijnor district, Uttar
Pradesh, and, clockwise from west to southeast, by the Uttarakhand districts
of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora, and
Nainital.
The climate of Pauri Garhwal is mostly pleasant in summer and cold in
winter. In the rainy season the climate is cool and the landscape green.
However, in Kotdwar and the adjoining Bhabar area, it is quite hot, reaching
the high 40s Celsius during the summer. In the winter, many parts of Pauri
receive snowfall.
History- Through the ages, the evolution of human civilization in the
Garhwal Himalayan has been parallel to the rest of Indian sub-continent.
Katyuri was the first historical dynasty, which rule over unified Uttarakhand
and left some important records in the form of inscriptions and temples. In
later period after the downfall of Katyuri’s, it is believed that Garhwal region
was fragmented in more than sixty-four principalities ruled by the Chieftain,
one of the principal Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was ruled by
descendent of Kanakpal. In the mid of 15
th
 century A.D. Chandpurgarh
emerged as a powerful principality under the rule of Jagatpal (1455 to 1493
A.D.), who was a descendent of Kanakpal. In the fag end of 15
th
 century
Ajaypal enthroned the Chandpurgarh and succeeded in unifying and
consolidating various principalities on the region with in a Kingdom and his
Kingdom came to known as Garhwal. Subsequently, he had transferred his
capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later on to Srinagar
during 1506 to 1519 A.D.
King Ajaypal and his successors ruled the Garhwal for nearly three hundred
years even during this period they had faced a number of attacks from
Kumaon, Mughal, Sikh, Rohilla. An important event in the history of
Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. It was marked by extreme brutality and
the word ‘Gorkhyani’ has become synonymous with massacre and marauding
armies. After subjugating Doti and Kumaon, Gorkhas attacked Garhwal and
reached as far as Langoorgarh despite stiff resistance put up by the Garhwali
forces. But in the meantime, news came of a Chinese invasion and the
Gorkhas were forced to lift the siege. However, in 1803, they again mounted
an invasion. After capturing Kumaon, they attach Garhwal in three columns.
Five thousand Garhwali soldiers could not stand the fury of their attack and
the King Pradyumna Shah escaped to Dehradun to organize his defense. But
his forces were no match to the Gorkha might. Garhwali soldiers suffered
heavy casualties and the King himself was killed in the battle of Khudbuda.
The Gorkhas became the masters of entire Garhwal in 1804 and ruled the
territory for twelve years.
Gorkha ruled in the Garhwal area ended in 1815 when the British drove the
Gorkhas to the West of Kali river, despite stiff resistance offered by them.
After defeat of Gorkha army, the Britishers on 21 April 1815, decided to
establish their rule over the eastern, half of the Garhwal region, which lies
east of Alaknanda & Mandakini river, later on, known as ‘British Garhwal’
and Dun of Dehradun. The remaining part of the Garhwal in the west was
restored to King Sudershan Shah who established his capital at Tehri.
Initially the administration was entrusted to the commissioner of the Kumaon
and Garhwal with his headquarters at Nainital, but later Garhwal was
separated and formed into a separate district in 1840 A.D. under an assistant
commissioner with his headquarter at Pauri.
At the time of independence, Garhwal, Almora and Nainital districts were
administered through commissioner of Kumaon division. In early 1960,
Chamoli district was curved out of Garhwal district. In 1969 Garhwal
division was formed with its headquarter at Pauri. After curving out of
seventy-two villages of Khirsu block of district Pauri Garwhal in 1998 for
creation of new district of Rudraprayag, the district is reached in its present
form.
Geography- Pauri is the headquarter of Pauri Garhwal district and is
located at the height of 1650 m. and has a population of 24,743. This is fairly
located on high altitude amongst the Deodar forest and on the northern slopes
of the ridge, which provide one of the ice-clad mountain chains. Besides
Alaknanda, Nayyar River is the major river of the district and is one of the
major tributies of Alaknanda which is called Nayyar after the confluence of
eastern and Western Nayyar at Satpuli. Both the Nayyars originate from the
Dudatoli range and drain their water to the south. The high ranges in the
Nayyar catchments areThailisain (Dudatoli – Chakisain ridge), Baijro
(Pokhra – Demdeval ridge), Khirsu-Mandakhal (Pauri 0– Adwani – Kanskhet
ridge), Bironkhal (Lansdowne – Gumkhal – Dwarikhal ridge) & Rathwadhab
(Dugadda – Kandi ridge).
Climate- The region has a sub-temperate to temperate climate, which
remains pleasant throughout the year. The maximum temperature recorded in
the month of June is 45°C at Kotdwar while in the higher reaches at
Dudhatoli it only rises to 25°C. Temperature descends to a minimum of
1.3°C in January, and mean monthly temperature for the region ranges from
25°C to 30°C. The hilly terrain with its densely forested slopes receives
adequate rainfall generally commencing from mid-June and extending till
mid-September. Occasional rainfall is also recorded in winter. Average
annual rainfall in the district is 218 cm, about 90 percent of which is
generally concentrated over the monsoon. Relative humidity varies between
54 and 63 percent. The higher reaches receive some snow in winter when
temperature falls to freezing point.
Soils- Soils of the region have been formed either through pedogenetic
processes or are transported soils. The pedogenetic soils are the one which
have been formed by long duration of exposure to atmospheric agencies,
physical and chemical weathering and rock slides. Such types of soils are
derived from granite Gneissic, schistose and phyllite rocks. These soils
obtained high percentage of silica from their parent body, while the soils
formed from the limestone are rich in calcium carbonate. The transported
soils are carried and deposited by the streams. Their parent body and source
rocks lie at far away places. Some of these soils have mixed origin pf glacial
and fluvio-glacial origin. These soils of takus, fans and terraces are silt to
clayey loam and are very fertile. The brown forest soils contain very high
percentage of organic matter. The katil soils are stony, immature and
extremely poor. Soils of Upraon are gravelly and sandy Loams, they are
brown of Talaon. The Talaon soils are brown in colour with clayey texture.
The stony texture provides higher rate of erosion
Topograophy- The topography of Pauri Garhwal is rugged and except for
the narrow strip of Bhabar, the entire region is mountainous. The highest
point of the area is 3116 mtrs at Dudatoli and the lowest point of the area is
295 mtrs near Chilla. The village located at the hightest level is Dobri, which
is 2480 mtrs high. The cross profiles of the fluvial valleys show convex form
with steep valley sides, interlocking spurs descending towards the main
channel, hanging valleys, water falls and rapids and terraced agricultural
fields on the gentle slopes on the valley sides. The clustering of villages is
confined mainly on the gentle slopes of the ridges on the fluvial terraces. The
forest cover is the maximum in Thailisain block and the minimun in the Pauri
block. Most of the part of the area is approachable by road from its district
headquarter. Most of these roads are not yet metalled and are prone to land
slips, slides, dusty, except few main roads. The district of Pauri Garhwal as
part of the Western Himalaya presents a unique set of ecological
characteristics over a complex variety of systems that incorporate forests,
meadows, savannah grasslands, marshes and rivers, as well as wildlife,
geology and several other phyto-geographically distinctive peculiarities. The
occurrence of diverse topographical and climatic factors has resulted in the
remarkable biodiversity of the district as a result of which flora also
correspondingly differs over its different parts. Forests dominate in the phyto-
geography and also constitute the most valuable natural resource of the
district.
Forest- There are extensive forests in the district Pauri Garhwal. These
forests are serving, as a base for many industries, local needs of fuel wood,
fodder resources and ecological stability. There is a considerable variation in
the forest type, which occur in this area. Such variations are based on
altitude, climate, rocks, soil etc. The total forest area of the district is 59% of
total district land.
Khair/Sisso-Forests, which are also termed as Reverine forests, occur in
areas of lower elevations. Its main constituents species are: Acacia Catechu
(Khair), Shorea robusta (Sal), Dalbersia sisso (Shecham), Bombex ceiba
(Bamboo) etc. In these forests different varieties of bamboos occur in patches
or mixed with the main species.Khair trees have become hollow on rocky
patches and in depressions, which are moist and sheltered. The crop is of
fairly open density. Regeneration is adequate in areas, which are away from
habitation where the effect of grazing eloping is not very severe. Sal forests
occur in Rathwadhab forests of Rikhanikhal and lower elevation of Jahrikhal
block.
Chir Pine-Forests are the most extensively developed type in the Nayyar
catchments. The main species is Pinus roxburghii which occurs in pure form.
Page 5


Pauri Garhwal
Located partly in the Gangetic plain and partly in the northern Himalayas,
Pauri Garhwal district encompasses an area of 5,230 sq. km. and is situated
between 29° 45’ to 30°15’ North Latitude and 78° 24’ to 79° 23’ East
Longitude. The district is bordered on the southwest by Bijnor district, Uttar
Pradesh, and, clockwise from west to southeast, by the Uttarakhand districts
of Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora, and
Nainital.
The climate of Pauri Garhwal is mostly pleasant in summer and cold in
winter. In the rainy season the climate is cool and the landscape green.
However, in Kotdwar and the adjoining Bhabar area, it is quite hot, reaching
the high 40s Celsius during the summer. In the winter, many parts of Pauri
receive snowfall.
History- Through the ages, the evolution of human civilization in the
Garhwal Himalayan has been parallel to the rest of Indian sub-continent.
Katyuri was the first historical dynasty, which rule over unified Uttarakhand
and left some important records in the form of inscriptions and temples. In
later period after the downfall of Katyuri’s, it is believed that Garhwal region
was fragmented in more than sixty-four principalities ruled by the Chieftain,
one of the principal Chieftainship was Chandpurgarh, which was ruled by
descendent of Kanakpal. In the mid of 15
th
 century A.D. Chandpurgarh
emerged as a powerful principality under the rule of Jagatpal (1455 to 1493
A.D.), who was a descendent of Kanakpal. In the fag end of 15
th
 century
Ajaypal enthroned the Chandpurgarh and succeeded in unifying and
consolidating various principalities on the region with in a Kingdom and his
Kingdom came to known as Garhwal. Subsequently, he had transferred his
capital from Chandpur to Devalgarh before 1506 and later on to Srinagar
during 1506 to 1519 A.D.
King Ajaypal and his successors ruled the Garhwal for nearly three hundred
years even during this period they had faced a number of attacks from
Kumaon, Mughal, Sikh, Rohilla. An important event in the history of
Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. It was marked by extreme brutality and
the word ‘Gorkhyani’ has become synonymous with massacre and marauding
armies. After subjugating Doti and Kumaon, Gorkhas attacked Garhwal and
reached as far as Langoorgarh despite stiff resistance put up by the Garhwali
forces. But in the meantime, news came of a Chinese invasion and the
Gorkhas were forced to lift the siege. However, in 1803, they again mounted
an invasion. After capturing Kumaon, they attach Garhwal in three columns.
Five thousand Garhwali soldiers could not stand the fury of their attack and
the King Pradyumna Shah escaped to Dehradun to organize his defense. But
his forces were no match to the Gorkha might. Garhwali soldiers suffered
heavy casualties and the King himself was killed in the battle of Khudbuda.
The Gorkhas became the masters of entire Garhwal in 1804 and ruled the
territory for twelve years.
Gorkha ruled in the Garhwal area ended in 1815 when the British drove the
Gorkhas to the West of Kali river, despite stiff resistance offered by them.
After defeat of Gorkha army, the Britishers on 21 April 1815, decided to
establish their rule over the eastern, half of the Garhwal region, which lies
east of Alaknanda & Mandakini river, later on, known as ‘British Garhwal’
and Dun of Dehradun. The remaining part of the Garhwal in the west was
restored to King Sudershan Shah who established his capital at Tehri.
Initially the administration was entrusted to the commissioner of the Kumaon
and Garhwal with his headquarters at Nainital, but later Garhwal was
separated and formed into a separate district in 1840 A.D. under an assistant
commissioner with his headquarter at Pauri.
At the time of independence, Garhwal, Almora and Nainital districts were
administered through commissioner of Kumaon division. In early 1960,
Chamoli district was curved out of Garhwal district. In 1969 Garhwal
division was formed with its headquarter at Pauri. After curving out of
seventy-two villages of Khirsu block of district Pauri Garwhal in 1998 for
creation of new district of Rudraprayag, the district is reached in its present
form.
Geography- Pauri is the headquarter of Pauri Garhwal district and is
located at the height of 1650 m. and has a population of 24,743. This is fairly
located on high altitude amongst the Deodar forest and on the northern slopes
of the ridge, which provide one of the ice-clad mountain chains. Besides
Alaknanda, Nayyar River is the major river of the district and is one of the
major tributies of Alaknanda which is called Nayyar after the confluence of
eastern and Western Nayyar at Satpuli. Both the Nayyars originate from the
Dudatoli range and drain their water to the south. The high ranges in the
Nayyar catchments areThailisain (Dudatoli – Chakisain ridge), Baijro
(Pokhra – Demdeval ridge), Khirsu-Mandakhal (Pauri 0– Adwani – Kanskhet
ridge), Bironkhal (Lansdowne – Gumkhal – Dwarikhal ridge) & Rathwadhab
(Dugadda – Kandi ridge).
Climate- The region has a sub-temperate to temperate climate, which
remains pleasant throughout the year. The maximum temperature recorded in
the month of June is 45°C at Kotdwar while in the higher reaches at
Dudhatoli it only rises to 25°C. Temperature descends to a minimum of
1.3°C in January, and mean monthly temperature for the region ranges from
25°C to 30°C. The hilly terrain with its densely forested slopes receives
adequate rainfall generally commencing from mid-June and extending till
mid-September. Occasional rainfall is also recorded in winter. Average
annual rainfall in the district is 218 cm, about 90 percent of which is
generally concentrated over the monsoon. Relative humidity varies between
54 and 63 percent. The higher reaches receive some snow in winter when
temperature falls to freezing point.
Soils- Soils of the region have been formed either through pedogenetic
processes or are transported soils. The pedogenetic soils are the one which
have been formed by long duration of exposure to atmospheric agencies,
physical and chemical weathering and rock slides. Such types of soils are
derived from granite Gneissic, schistose and phyllite rocks. These soils
obtained high percentage of silica from their parent body, while the soils
formed from the limestone are rich in calcium carbonate. The transported
soils are carried and deposited by the streams. Their parent body and source
rocks lie at far away places. Some of these soils have mixed origin pf glacial
and fluvio-glacial origin. These soils of takus, fans and terraces are silt to
clayey loam and are very fertile. The brown forest soils contain very high
percentage of organic matter. The katil soils are stony, immature and
extremely poor. Soils of Upraon are gravelly and sandy Loams, they are
brown of Talaon. The Talaon soils are brown in colour with clayey texture.
The stony texture provides higher rate of erosion
Topograophy- The topography of Pauri Garhwal is rugged and except for
the narrow strip of Bhabar, the entire region is mountainous. The highest
point of the area is 3116 mtrs at Dudatoli and the lowest point of the area is
295 mtrs near Chilla. The village located at the hightest level is Dobri, which
is 2480 mtrs high. The cross profiles of the fluvial valleys show convex form
with steep valley sides, interlocking spurs descending towards the main
channel, hanging valleys, water falls and rapids and terraced agricultural
fields on the gentle slopes on the valley sides. The clustering of villages is
confined mainly on the gentle slopes of the ridges on the fluvial terraces. The
forest cover is the maximum in Thailisain block and the minimun in the Pauri
block. Most of the part of the area is approachable by road from its district
headquarter. Most of these roads are not yet metalled and are prone to land
slips, slides, dusty, except few main roads. The district of Pauri Garhwal as
part of the Western Himalaya presents a unique set of ecological
characteristics over a complex variety of systems that incorporate forests,
meadows, savannah grasslands, marshes and rivers, as well as wildlife,
geology and several other phyto-geographically distinctive peculiarities. The
occurrence of diverse topographical and climatic factors has resulted in the
remarkable biodiversity of the district as a result of which flora also
correspondingly differs over its different parts. Forests dominate in the phyto-
geography and also constitute the most valuable natural resource of the
district.
Forest- There are extensive forests in the district Pauri Garhwal. These
forests are serving, as a base for many industries, local needs of fuel wood,
fodder resources and ecological stability. There is a considerable variation in
the forest type, which occur in this area. Such variations are based on
altitude, climate, rocks, soil etc. The total forest area of the district is 59% of
total district land.
Khair/Sisso-Forests, which are also termed as Reverine forests, occur in
areas of lower elevations. Its main constituents species are: Acacia Catechu
(Khair), Shorea robusta (Sal), Dalbersia sisso (Shecham), Bombex ceiba
(Bamboo) etc. In these forests different varieties of bamboos occur in patches
or mixed with the main species.Khair trees have become hollow on rocky
patches and in depressions, which are moist and sheltered. The crop is of
fairly open density. Regeneration is adequate in areas, which are away from
habitation where the effect of grazing eloping is not very severe. Sal forests
occur in Rathwadhab forests of Rikhanikhal and lower elevation of Jahrikhal
block.
Chir Pine-Forests are the most extensively developed type in the Nayyar
catchments. The main species is Pinus roxburghii which occurs in pure form.
The altitudinal variation of this forest is from 900 mts. to 1500 mts. Besides
chir pine, the other tree species are Cedrela toona (Toon), Anoegissous
Latifolia, Ehertia laevis. The density of this forest varies from 0.3 to 0.6, the
density tends to higher in areas away from human settlements, intensive
grazing, on sandy soil etc.
Oak-Forests occur at altitude ranging from 800 m. to the highest elevations
of Pauri Garhwal area. The main species include Quercus semicarpifolia
(Banj), Rhododendron arboreun (Burans), Rhus punjabencis, cedrela toona
(Toon), vitis himalayansis. These forests occur on moist, shady depressions,
declivaties on southern aspects. At times they are mixed with chir pine
forests, the former occurring on moister sides and cooler aspects. The density
of the forest ranges from 0.4 to 0.8. There is a thick layer of undecomposed
humus in the soil. This is associated with moisture.
Deodar-Forests are confined to areas of higher elevation. It is one of the
most beautiful types found in the Himalayan region. Individual trees may
attain a height of over 35 mt. and a diameter of over 110 cm. The main
species are cederus deodara which occurs in pure form. In cooler aspects
Deodar is accompanied by blue pine (pinus exelsa), silver fir and spruce.
Regeneration is fairly adequate as these forests occur in areas, which are
away from habitation. Deodar forests occur in Pauri, Tarkeswar, Dudhatoli
etc.
Utilisation-Chir pine and Deodar are being used for supply of timber,
paper and match industries. These industries are located in the Ganga plain
adjoining the Garhwal hills. The khair forest occurring in the lower hills are
feeding the Kattha industries located at Kotdwar and other foothill towns of
U.P. The pine forests are being extensively tapped for the production of resin.
Individual trees not below the 35 cm. diameter class are being tapped all over
the district. This resin is transported to the resin and turpentine factories.
These forests are also yield pulpwood (for paper industry), wood for match
industry, Gums, Tannins, Paint fibre, Canes and minor forests products. The
local people derive their fuel wood for cooking & heating purpose, fodder for
cattle, grasses for thatching of roofs, small wood for agricultural implements,
timber for house building & furniture from these forests. In this area over
90% of the cattle owned by local people graze in these forests.
Water and Mineral- Even though there is a plenty of water available in
hills, the main problem of the locality is the drinking water. These water