Narkanda

Narkanda
Town
Narkanda as seen from Hatu peak, India.
Country  India
District Shimla
Tehsil Kumarsain
Elevation 2,760 m (9,060 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 2,712
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST

Narkanda is a town and a nagar panchayat in Shimla district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 2708 meters on the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 22) in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is about 65 km away from Shimla and surrounded by the Shivalik Range that span a large part of Himachal Pradesh.

A refuelling station in Narkanda.

It is a skiing resort in winter. It connects Shimla with Rampur and a detour also goes to Thanedhar, the prime apple belt of Himachal Pradesh where Satyananda Stokes started the apple culture.

Geography

Narkanda is located at 31°16′N 77°27′E / 31.27°N 77.45°E / 31.27; 77.45.[1] It has an average elevation of 2621 metres (8599 feet). Hatu Peak which is at 3400 m (11,155 ft} is 8 km from Narkanda. Kotgarh is 16 km from Narkanda and famous for apple orchards. Kumarsain which is 18 km from Narkanda is the nearest town and Narkanda comes under the administrative sub-division of Kumarsain. Satyanand Stokes brought the apple to this place and helped strengthen the economy of this area. Today Rs 3,000 Crore direct and indirect income is generated through apple production. Presently apple growers are shifting to bring their farm under cherry cultivation to fetch fast money in their pocket as holdings are marginalised due to population factor. The grandson of Mr. Stokes is experimenting to develop new variety of apple for better production.

Climate

This town experiences a pleasant weather throughout the year. During the summer time from April to June, the maximum temperature is around 30°C while the minimum temperature is 10°C. While the months of July to September, Narkanda experiences the monsoon season, the months of October till February are the months when this town is covered in the sheets of snow. The maximum temperature during this time are 15°C and can drop till -10°C during the days.[2]

Flora

The area is dominated by a large temperate forest mostly consist of Conifer, Oak, Maple, Populus, Aesculus, Corylus, Holly species.

Conifer: There are various species of conifers growing in the area which cover the substantial part of the forest. These are:

1.Abies pindrow,

2.Cedrus deodara,

3. Cryptomeria japonica,

4. Picea smithiana,

5.Pinus wallichiana,

6. Taxus contorta.

Oak: Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus floribunda are native to the area.

Maple: Acer caesium and Acer acuminatum are native to the area.

Poplar: Populus ciliata is native to the area.

Aesculus: Aesculus indica is native to the area.

Hazelnut: Corylus jacquemontii is native to the area.

Holly: Ilex dipyrena is native to the area.

Apart from these major trees there are various species shrubs like Berberis aristata and flower plants growing in the area. Recently, the forest has been cleared for the apple orchards.

Narkanda town today.

Demographics

As of 2010 India census,[3] Narkanda had a population of 2712. Males constitute 62% of the population and females 38%. Narkanda has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 72%. In Narkanda, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The dak bungalow at Narkanda in 1886.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Narkanda
  2. ↑ "Tourism in Narkanda". Tourism of India.
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.


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