Narkanda

Narkanda is a town and a nagar panchayat in Kumarsain subdivision of Shimla district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 2708 meters on the Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 5) in Himachal Pradesh, India within a fir (abies pindrow) forest. It is about 65 km away from Shimla and surrounded by the Himalayan Range.

Refuelling station in Narkanda

Narkanda
Town
Narkanda as seen from Hatu peak, India.
Country India
DistrictShimla
TehsilKumarsain
Elevation
2,708 m (8,885 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total901
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
171213
Vehicle registrationHP-95

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

Geography

Narkanda is located at 31.27°N 77.45°E / 31.27; 77.45.[1] It has an average elevation of 2708 metres (8599 feet). The famous Hatu peak is 8 km from Narkanda. Kumarsain, which is 20 km from Narkanda, is the nearest town and Narkanda comes under Kumarsain sub-division and tehsil. Kotgarh is 15 km from Narkanda and known for apple orchards. 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 d noue 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 20°C while the minimum temperature is 10°C. While the months of July to September, Narkanda experiences the monsoon season, the months of November till March are the months when this town is covered in the sheets of snow. The maximum temperature during this time are 7-8°C and can drop till - 5to-10°C during the nights .[2]

Flora

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

Apart from these 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 native language here is Pahari but Hindi and English are also spoken.

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 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.


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