Hattian Bala District

Before the establishment of the Azad Kashmir in 1948 it was the part of the Baramula district, tehsil Uri (now in Indian Kashmir). After ceasefire during the first war between India and Pakistan Hattian Bala became part of Muzaffarabad District until 2009. It was announced district in July 2009 during the coalition government of Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan. Newly established district has a population of 230,529.[1]

Indian controlled district Baramula is located in the east of Hattian Bala while Kapwara of Indian Kashmir is in the northeast, Neelum district of AJK in the northwest, Muzaffarabad in the west and Bagh in the south.

The rural urban ratio is 90:10. The majority of the rural population depends on agriculture, livestock and forestry for its subsistence. Many people are working or settled abroad in the Middle East, UK and United States and they support their families behind and in the development of the area. Hattian Bala is a mainly hilly and mountainous region with stretches of plains along the riverside, the river Jehlum which enters from the Chakothi LoC point and passes through the Jehlum valley flowing east to northwest. Due to fast flowing winding streams, Hattian Bala has great potential to generate hydroelectricity. Hydro power stations are Kathai, Leepa, and Sharian. The district's natural environment includes valleys like Leepa, Khalana Chham, Ghail, Saina Daman Chamm, Dhani Shahdarrah, Charoi, Chinari, jaskool, Chonoian, Bharyan (Lower Chonoian) and Chakar Salmia.

Urdu, Pahari (with a slight difference in dialect due to heavy Kashmiri influence), Gojri and Kashmiri.

Hattian Bala District consists of three tehsils[2]:

• Hattian Bala
• Chikkar
• Leepa

The district council of Hattian Bala has 12 union councils (comprising 8 UCs from Constituency No.5 and 4 UCs from Constituency No.6), one municipal committee at Hattian, and one town committee at Chikar.

The rural development department has 3 Markz (centers): Hattian, Leepa and Chikar. Assistant Director LG&RDD Hattian is the administrative officer for the rural development with 2 project managers at each center.

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2015, Hattian Bala is ranked 28 out of 148 districts in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 112 out of 148.[3] There are few of colleges mostly people studied from Allama Iqbal Open University and AJK University Muzaffarabad having main campus at Muzaffarabad and encompasses regional campuses,which includes Neelum campus , and two years ago Hattian Bala campus has been inaugurated having faculty of English language, Computer Sciences and Business Administration.The scope and trend of being educated is spilling over day by day across different areas. Two areas are renowned for education having higher literacy rates Leepa Valley and Village Pahal located near LOC. District have some private institutions like READ Foundation Science College Hattian Bala READ Foundation Science College Chanari and Smart School Hattian Bala.