Sogam Lolab
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{{use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sogam Lolab
| official_name = Sogam
| image_skyline = Lolab Valley-Kupwara.JPG
| image_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type2 = Union Territory
| subdivision_type3 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Jammu and Kashmir
| subdivision_name3 = Kupwara
| elevation_ft = 5564
| coordinates = {{coord|34|29|50.8|N|74|22|51.8|E|display=inline,title}}
| population = 16,166
| timezone1 = IST
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = 193223
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 0195
| registration_plate = JK 09
| blank1_name_sec1 = Sex ratio
| blank1_info_sec1 = 898 ♀/ 1000 ♂
| blank2_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank2_info_sec1 = 79.61%
| blank1_name_sec2 = Climate
| blank1_info_sec2 = Cfa
| blank2_name_sec2 = Precipitation
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|710|mm|in}}
| blank3_name_sec2 = Avg. summer temperature
| blank3_info_sec2 = {{convert|23.3|°C|°F}}
| blank4_name_sec2 = Avg. winter temperature
| blank4_info_sec2 = {{convert|3.2|°C|°F}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.smcsite.org/}}
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020| url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=30 May 2021}}
| pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| mapsize = 250px
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
}}
Sogam Lolab is a municipality located in the Kupwara district of the Kashmir Valley, in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Sogam Lolab is a prominent town situated in the heart of the scenic Lolab Valley and holds significant administrative importance in the region. Functioning as the sub-district headquarters, Sogam serves as the central hub for governance and public administration for the surrounding villages and settlements within the valley. The town is home to various key government offices, including those for revenue, health, education, and rural development departments.
It is separated from Bandipora district to the east by the Nagmarg Meadows. Sogam is situated at an altitude of {{convert|1589|m}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Sogam.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Sogam, India|website=www.fallingrain.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-16}} above sea level and has a population of approximately 16,166 with literacy rate of about 79.61%.
Geography
The Lolab Valley falls within the jurisdiction of Sogam Lolab, a sub-division of Kupwara. Lolab is a sub-district of Kupwara. It is bordered by the Kashmir Valley to the south and the Neelum Valley to the north and is separated Bandipora to the east by the Nagmarg Meadows.{{cite book |author=John Murray, 1906 |title= Handbook to India, Burma, and Ceylon |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gOUwAQAAMAAJ|year=1906 |publisher= John Murray |isbn= 978-8178350172 |page= 253–}} The valley is formed by the flow of the Lahwal River, which runs from east to west. The Lolab Valley is home to many ancient springs and is covered with dense forests of deodar, kair, budul, pine, and fir.{{cite web |url= http://ikashmir.net/pilgrimage/lolab.html |title= Loalab Valley on Ikashmir |work= ikashmir.net |access-date= 2012-06-23}} Fruit trees such as apple, cherry, peach, apricot, and walnut are common in the valley, which is known as "the fruit bowl of Jammu and Kashmir".{{cite web |url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Lolab-Valley-45392.htm |title= Fruit bowl of J&K |publisher= india9.com |access-date= 2012-07-03}} The valley contains several natural landmarks and tourist spots, including the caves of Kalaroos and Green Meadows. The main villages in the Lolab Valley include Saiwan, Surigam, Putushai, Khumriyal, Sogam, Lalpora, Darpora, Cherkoot, Kalaroos, Wavoora, Maidanpora, Shalgund, Khurhama, Warnow, Aafan, Takipora, Cheepora, Goose.{{Cite web |title=Nagmarg Camping Cafeteria. · Dever Tekipora Rd, Diver Anderbugh, Jammu and Kashmir 193223 |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nagmarg+Camping+Cafeteria.,+Dever+Tekipora+Rd,+Diver+Anderbugh,+Jammu+and+Kashmir+193223/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x38e1111ce9aec31d:0xd131ad833604674b?entry=gps |access-date=2022-01-21 |website=Nagmarg Camping Cafeteria. · Dever Tekipora Rd, Diver Anderbugh, Jammu and Kashmir 193223 |language=en}}
Ecology
Like other valleys in the region, Sogam Lolab is home to many Himalayan wild animals, including the Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, ibex, markhor, the hangul , and the musk deer.{{cite book |author= Charles Ellison Bates |title= A gazetteer of Kashmír and the adjacent districts of Kishtwar, Badrawár, Jamu, Naoshera, Punch, and the valley of the Kishen Gang |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zPQLAAAAIAAJ|year=1980 |publisher= Light & Life Publishers |page=26–}}{{Cite web |title=The HJ/70/15 Lolab The Hidden Himalayan Valley |url=https://www.himalayanclub.org/hj/70/15/lolab-the-hidden-himalayan-valley/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=The HJ/70/15 Lolab The Hidden Himalayan Valley |language=en}} The overall Lolab Valley, particularly Sogam Lolab, is adjacent to Kishenganga Valley, and separated by the Line of Control.{{cite book |title= India Today Volume 25 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QHBDAAAAYAAJ|year=2000 |publisher= Thomson Living Media India Ltd., 2000 |isbn= 978-0674018174 |pages=53, 54–}} The Valley has witnessed many armed conflicts,{{cite book |title= Outlook |volume=46 |issue=39–47 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-AkwAQAAIAAJ|year=2006 |publisher= Hathway Investments Pvt Ltd |page=162}}{{cite book |author= Sumantra Bose |title= Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3ACMe9WBdNAC&pg=PA282|year=2005 |publisher= Harvard University Press |isbn= 978-0674018174 |page=282}} which have caused displacement of wild species and significant damage to the local environment and peopulation.
Educational Institutes
- Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Sogamhttps://schools.org.in/kupwara/01010800222/bhss-sogam.html
- Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Sogamhttps://schools.org.in/kupwara/01010800204/ghss-sogam.html
- Govt Degree College Sogam https://www.gdcsogam.edu.in/
Notable people
- Shah Faesal - the first IAS topper from Kashmir, and a bureaucrat
- Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Cabinet Minister, Politician
- Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, Politician, MLA Lolab
- Ghulam Nabi Wani - politician
References
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{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
Category:Cities and towns in Kupwara district
Category:Tehsils of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)
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