Bhalessa

The area is known as Bhales (/bʱəˈles/) to outsiders, but inhabitants of the region use a variety of names, including Bhalessa (/bʱəˈlesɑ/), Bhalesh (/bʱəˈleʃ/, with variant /bʱəˈleiʃ/), and Bhal (/ˈbʱɑl/).[2]

The etymology of the name remains unknown. It has been suggested that it derives from the Sanskrit word for 'good' (bhalla-)[3] or from the name of the 16th-century queen, Queen Bhalla of Bhadarwah.[4]

The Bhalessa region consists of two valleys: Bonjwah and Bhalessa. Bonjwah contains multiple streams, while Bhalessa contains the Kalgoni stream.[4] The two valleys unite near Donadi and the streams merge into the Chenab river.[5]

The area is easily accessible from Churaha Wazarat of Chamba through passes such as Padri Gali and Mehlwar. To the north, it is flanked by the mountains of Kishtwar.[6]

Bhalessa contains various geographical hamlets, such as Neeli, Jitota, Pingal, Chilli, Nanota, and Basnota. Some other areas include Bal Padri, Kanthi Dhar, Soin Bhagar, Naglotan,[7] Goha Dhar, Jawali meadows, Ghasheer Top, Makan and Chashool, Ghati Dhar, Mehal Dhar, Damote Dhar, Lakhan, Kehan Dhar, Mashood Dhar, Mihaad Dhar, Bach Dhar, Nagni Dhar, Talaie, Dhosa Meadows, Rohari Meadows, Lamhote Meadows, Kota Top, Pangas Top Gwalo, Dhanaso Dhar, and Dulchi Dhar.

Тhe official language in the Bhalessa region is Urdu, which is used for administrative purposes. The main spoken language of the district is Bhalessi (Takri: 𑚡𑚥𑚲𑚨𑚯). Other spoken languages include Kashmiri and Gujari.[8]

During the winter, the nomadic people of the Gujjar and Bakarwals come down to the plain and barren areas of Punjab. During the summer, they go deep into the mountainous valley of Bhalessa with their cattle where they produce milk, cheese, and ghee. During marriage celebrations, the Gujjars perform their folk dances.[9]

Traditional industries such as beekeeping, sheep cattle rearing, handloom weaving, blanket making, and ghee production contribute to the cultural economy of Bhalessa.

The route to Bhalessa from its nearest airport in Jammu goes through Batote via National Highway 144, the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel, and National Highway 244 (known as Batote – Kishtwar National Highway), which later leads to Thathri, which is just 30 kilometres (19 mi) away from Kishtwar. To reach Bhalessa, it is necessary to leave the National Highway by a link road known as Thathri-Gandoh-Khilotran road.[10]

Concerns are often raised about the state of the roads in the region,[11] particularly the Thathri–Kilhotran Road, which as of July 2020 was still incomplete even after decades of construction.[12]

Bhalessa has been a source of attraction for trackers and tourists.[7]

The area consists of green uplands, like Bal Padri, which can be a source of attraction for tourism. As of 2020, the inhabitants of the Bhalessa region are demanding a Hill District status and a Tourism Development Authority in order to exhibit tourism potential and for administrative convenience.[7] As of July 2020, two potential spots have been identified for the creation of tourism assets in Block Changa.[13] The people of Bhalessa are represented at various levels, in sports, education, politics, civil services, and other diverse fields. Bhalessa is known for interfaith harmony, and religious communities continue to live in peace during turmoil.

Tourist attractions

Beer Su Waterfall in Bhalessa

The listed tourist spots are natural landscapes and not managed by any government departments as of 2020.

Bhal Padri in Bhalessa

• Bhal Padri, a hill station on the meadows in Changa.[14]
• Kanthi Dhar, a group of meadows near Khilotran. A local fair (Mela) is held annually there. People from nearby areas participate in this fair.[15]
• Makan and Chuchool[15]
• Mehal Dhar, a valley of Bhalessa located in Chilly[15]
• Damote Dhar[15]
• Bach Dhar[15]
• Nagni Dhar[15]
• Rohari Dhar, located near Khaljugasar[15]
• Goha Dhar. The meadows are the main attraction.
• Lamhote Meadows, situated in the Chilly Pingal tehsil of Bhalessa. Local tourists visit these meadows for picnics.
• Kota Top, located in Jotota area, has tourism potential for mostly local tourists.
• Pangas Top, situated in the Gowalo area.[15]
• Dhanaso Dhar, located on Gwalo and Shongini routes.[15]
• Dulchi Dhar, also located in Gwalo Shongini area. The area also attracts local tourists for picnics.[15]
• Soin Bhagar, a well-known place in Bhalessa and a visiting place for local tourists.[15]
• Naglotan, a valley located in Bhalessa, which is popular for summer mountaineering.[15]
• Jawali meadows, located in the higher reaches of Soti Gingota range of the Changa block in Gandoh.[15]
• Ghasheer Top, a well-known place for trekkers and mountaineers. It is a tourist hub but has not been adopted by tourism authorities. It is located in Chilly Pingal.[15]
• Talaie, surrounded by Gamgul, Dagan, Mandral, and Kawali meadows in the Changa block of Bhalessa. These places are attractive for mountaineers and travelers.[15]
• Dhosa Meadows, located adjacent to the Bharti villages of Changa. Dhosa is a valley in Changa Bhalessa.[15]
• Lakhan, located in Chilly Pingal, is a tourist attraction.[15]
• Kehan Dhar, located in Chilly Pingal, Bhalessa.[15]
• Mashood Dhar, a valley located in Chilly Pingal.[15]
• Mihaad Dhar, also situated in Chilly Pingal area of Bhalessa.[15]
• Moti Bagra, situated in Amritpura Top in Chilly Pingal.
• Chilly Meadows, located in Chilly.
• Kahara Meadows, a number of meadows located in the Kahara tehsil of Bhalessa.
• Kakoti Top. Several places like Kakoti, Raj Goth, Ghati, Gata, Mandral are the main places of tourist attraction. Jagsoon, Choundi, Chani, Luddu Kansar, Chenser, Bhargi, Jullo Shingini, Kilhotran, Batt Gowari, Chenyas, Jakyas, Kota Bounencha, Inharrah, Malano, Basnota, Nanhota, and Gorekhra are some of the places that need attention for tourism development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bhalessa has a Sub-Divisional Headquarter located at Gandoh that is controlled by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate.[16]

Bhalessa consists of three Tehsils: Gandoh, Chilly Pingal and Kahara.[17] There have been demands for a Hill District Status for these tehsils,[18] as well as for the creation of a separate Tourism Development Authority[19] and the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC).[20]

According to political listings, Bhalessa is listed in the Bhaderwah constituency and Inderwal constituency. Notable politicians include:

• Ghulam Nabi Azad, a congress leader from the Soti village of Bhalessa. He was the winning candidate in 2006 from the Bhaderwah constituency.[21] He was also the Minister of Health and Family Welfare.[22] As of 2020, he serves as the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha.[23]
• Mohd Sharief Niaz, a congress leader from Changa village in Bhalessa. He contested the 2009 assembly elections from the Bhaderwah constituency.[24]
• Daleep Singh Parihar, a BJP leader from Batara village in Bhalessa. He is the former MLA candidate from the Bhaderwah constituency.

There is a college in Kilhotran under the name of Government Degree College Kilhotran. Schools in Bhalessa work to impart education in rural villages.[25]

Bhalessa also has a Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to give technical training to young people.[26]

There is an unprecedented growth of madrasa education in the area. The madrasas in Bhalessa include Jamia Gani tul uloom and Asrar ul Uloom.[27] Jamia Gani tul uloom is the largest seminary madrasa in the Jammu province.[28] The Jamia was founded by Alhaj Ghulam Qadir Ganipuri.

Several notable NGOs in Bhalessa are as follows:

• Kohistan Association[29]
• Educational Environmental Social Sports and Cultural Society[30]
• National Students Welfare Association (NSWA) Bhalessa[31]
• Bhalessa Heritage Centre (Bhalessa Saqafati Markuz)[32]
• The Helping Hand Trust[33]
• Shaheen Trust Bhalessa[34]
• Umar Educational and Welfare Trust Bhalessa[35]
• Bhalessa United Front (BUF)[36]
• JAKESPASES (Jammu and Kashmir Educational Environmental Social Plantation, Athletic and Recreation Sports Ecological Balance Society)[37]
• Sahayak Humanity Charitable Trust Bhalessa[38]

• Ghulam Rasool Azad was an educationist who played a key role in improving the education system of the area.[39]
• Professor Umar Din Malik, the first intellectual from Chenab Valley born in Chilly Pingal.[40]
• Sh D N Kotwal, IAS[41]