Chenab Valley

The name derives from the Chenab river, which flows through and forms the valley. The term "Chenab valley" was used by Erik Norin in a 1926 journal article "The Relief Chronology of Chenab Valley", to refer to the valley formed by the Chenab river in the Himalayas.[8] More recently, this term has also come to be used by various social activists and politicians referring to the areas of the former Doda district[lower-alpha 1] formed in 1948.[1][9] The term is used by many residents of Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar districts to assert a distinct cultural identity within the larger Jammu division.[10][11]

The Chenab Valley lies between the middle and great Himalayan range in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It constitutes parts of the Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir.[1][5] The area is an active seismic zone.[12]

In the past, the area around Doda was largely inhabited by Sarazi population before people started settling here from the Kashmir valley and other adjoining areas.[13][14] The reasons for this migration in the 17th and 18th centuries are a matter of ambiguity among historians.[15] Sumantra Bose says that repression by the feudal class in the Kashmir valley drew people to these areas.[16][17] The three districts consist of areas drawn from the principalities of Kishtwar and Bhadarwah, both of which were part of Udhampur district in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, Paddar used to part of Chamba State in the past and was later added to the princely state. Kashmiris form the largest group in the three districts while Gujjars, Dogras, Paharis and Bhaderwahis have significant population. Chenab Valley is rich in cultural heritage and ethical values, but also has age-old traditions of secularism and tolerance.[16]

As of 2023, the DIG of Police has a separate post for Chenab Valley known as the DKR Range; the R&B Department has now created a distinct zone for Chenab; and Chenab Valley has its own Forest Circle known as Chenab Forest Circle.[3] A militia named as Village Defence Guards was established in 1996 to fight anti-militancy operations in Chenab Valley.[22]

• Bhaderwah
• Jai valley
• Padri Pass
• Sinthan Top
• Lal Draman
• Jantroon Dhar

Location of the districts for which separate divisional status is sought within Jammu and Kashmir

There has been a movement demanding separate administrative division for the Chenab valley by various social and political activists for long time. In 2014, a major protest was called in Doda for the demand of separate administrative division.[23] The demand again rose in 2018 and 2019 when Ladakh got divisional status and the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah added "Two Separate Divisional Status for Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal Region" to his party's political agenda.[24] As of 2021, the movement for divisional status again increased after rumours of second bifurcation of J&K and demand for a separate state of Jammu.[25] There is a common reason for this demand. People allege negligence in terms of developmental issues by the government if the Chenab valley remains linked to the Jammu division.[1] The districts of the proposed Chenab Valley consists of six Assembly seats.[26]

The Bhartiya Janata Party maintains that "there is no Chenab valley and it is only the Jammu division for representation of the region",[27] while the JKNC says that the demand is based on developmental negligence and wants separate divisions from Jammu division for Chenab valley and Pir Panjal.[28]

The areas of the three districts are termed as the DKR Range (Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range) by police and military officials, while a separate Deputy Inspector General is posted for this range by J&K Police.[29]

• Jai valley
• Chinta valley
• The Chenab Times
• Warwan Valley