Roundu District
Roundu (also known as Rondu; Urdu: روندو) ( also known as Rong Yul in Balti)[1] is a district of the Pakistan administered mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the fourth-biggest[2] valley of Baltistan after Skardu, Khaplu, and Shigar in Gilgit-Baltistan. The valley is situated in the west of Baltistan, and forms the main trade and travel route between Baltistan and Gilgit. Roundu was made a District in 2019.[3]
Roundu District روندو | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s): رونگیول | |
 Districts of Gilgit-Baltistan: Rondu is coloured yellow. | |
  Roundu District Hassanabad on Pakistan Map | |
| Coordinates: 35°40′48″N 75°1′37″E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Gilgit Baltistan |
| Population | |
| • | 85,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+6 (GMT+5) |
Demographics
The population of the Roundu Valley are predominantly Balti who speak Balti but there is a significant number of Shina speaking people. It is located about 65-70 km from Skardu. It's a was a subdivision of Skardu. Its headquarters is Dambudas and 100% population of Roundu valley belongs to Shia sect of Islam. Although the population of Dambudas is not greater than that of Stak, Thorchay and Tormik valleys, it sits in the middle of the Roundu Valley so it is currently the capital of the Roundu Valley. The literacy rate is around 90% in Roundu. About 70% of the residents speak Balti and around 30% speak Shina, but Shina people are bilingual due to living with Balti people for a long time in the area.
Politicians
Captain (r) Sikandar Ali of Islami Tehreek from Gunji is a member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly from Roundu. He is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Gilgit-Baltistan. He narrowly defeated Raja Nasir Ali Khan of MWM in the 2015 Assembly Election. Raja Nasir Ali claimed rigging of the election and the case remains under review.
Politicians from Roundu : Wazir Hassan Ex-MLA PPP, Sadiq Ali Ex-MLA TJP, Capt Sikandar Ali - Current MLA - Chairman PAC, Raja Nasir Ali Khan - MWM, Manzoor Parwana - Nationalist, Late Raja Hassan Khan Maqpoon - Owner Daily K2 Largest Newspaper of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Tourism
Roundu is one of the beautiful districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, It is a gateway to Baltistan. There are many attractive places to visit in summer including Istak Nala ,Talu,Teriko,Thangrat,Shamalcho- Rest point if you travels from Gilgit to Skardu (PTDC Motel) also uphill areas of Tormik, Talu, Gunji, Yalbu including silk rout adventure like Asmani more & Milupa and rock side views. If you travels from Gilgit to Skardu you will found Banks in only Dambodas which is in center.There is a Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in Dambodas and several Basic Health Units in other villages of Stak Valley and Tormik. When you enter Roundu from Haramosh you will found refreshments/Tea/Juices in different locations like Shengus / Istak / Dambodas / Bagicha etc. You will enjoy by road adventure of almost 3-4 hours after entering roundu starts from Shengus and ends in Bagardu while entering Skardu. In Roundu ,the most beautyful place is Bilamik where we can see only greeny in Summer season and Winter season there snow fall.
District
In 2019, the government of Gilgit-Baltistan declared Roundu as separate district.
Major areas of Roundu are:
1. Dambudas or Thowarshamalcho is the gateway of thower
2. Istak (commonly known as Staq)
3. Tormik
4. Bilamik
5. Gunji
6. Yulbu
7. Baghicha
8. Talu
9. Tallu Broq
10. Mendi
11. Shuott
12. Harpo
13. Chamachu
14. Shengus
15. Bagardo
16.Tungus
References
- Ali, Wazir Qalbi (2005). Qadam Qadam Baltistan. Skardu: Baltistan Book Depot.
- Hussainabadi, Yousaf (2003).
Tareekh-e-Baltistan. Baltistan Book depot, Skardu. Jabir, Abdul Hayee - |url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/20-04-2019/gb-cabinet-decides-to-upgrade-dareal-tangirgupis-yasin-and-roundu-as-districts |publisher=Radio Pakistan |accessdate=19 June 2019 |language=en |date=20 April 2019}}