Leh district

Leh district is a district in the union territory of Ladakh, India. With an area of 45,110 km2, it is the second largest district in the country, second only to Kutch. It is bounded on the north by Gilgit-Baltistan's Kharmang and Ghanche districts and Xinjiang's Kashgar Prefecture and Hotan Prefecture, to which it connects via the historic Karakoram Pass. Aksai Chin and Tibet are to the east, Kargil district to the west, and Lahul and Spiti to the south. The district headquarters is in Leh. It lies between 32 and 36 degree north latitude and 75 to 80 degree east longitude.

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Leh.

Leh district
District of Ladakh
View of Leh Town
View of Leh Town
Leh district in Ladakh. Lighter-coloured areas are claimed as part of Leh district but are administered by other countries.
Leh district in Ladakh. Lighter-coloured areas are claimed as part of Leh district but are administered by other countries.
CountryIndia
Union TerritoryLadakh
HeadquartersLeh
Established1 July 1979
HeadquartersLeh
TehsilsLeh, Khaltsi, Nyoma, Kharu, Diskit Nubra, Saspol, Durbuk and Sumoor
Government
 • Deputy CommissionerMr. Shrikant Balasaheb Suse IAS
 • Chief Executive CouncillorTashi Gyalson, BJP
 • Lok Sabha ConstituencyLadakh
 • MPJamyang Tsering Namgyal[1]
Area
 • Total45,110 km2 (17,420 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total133,487 (2,011)
 • Urban
45,671
Demographics
 • Literacy77.2%
 • Sex ratio690 ♀/ 1000 ♂
Languages
 • OfficialHindi, English
 • SpokenLadakhi, Balti, Brokskat, Tibetan, Hindi/Urdu
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationLA-01
Websiteleh.nic.in

All of Ladakh was under the administration of Leh until 1 July 1979, when the Kargil and Leh administrative districts were created. Religion has been a source of grievance between Buddhists and Muslims since the late 20th century and contributed to this division.[2]

In 2017, the district was declared a tobacco-free zone. The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, under the National Tobacco Control Programme, began working towards the designation early in 2017 and the status was declared in August. Rehana Kousar (in-charge, NTCP, Kashmir) said that work was done with civil society, religious and women's groups and that a "major success was achieved by the involvement of women in the anti-tobacco campaign."[3]

In August 2019, the Parliament of India passed the act that contained provisions to make Leh a district of the new union territory of Ladakh, which was formed 31 October 2019.[4]

Administration

Leh district has seven sub-divisions and twelve tehsils. The sub-divisions are: Nubra, Durbuk (Durbok), Khalatse (Khaltsi/Khalsi), Leh, Kharoo, Likir, Nyoma. The tehsils are: Sumoor,and Diskit in Nubra Valley, Durbuk, Khalatse, Saspol, Leh, Kharoo, and Nyoma.[5]

As a result of The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Second Order, 2019, Leh district claimed de jure jurisdiction over the following areas of Pakistani-administered Kashmir: Gilgit, Gilgit Wazarat, Chilas, and Tribal territory,[6] making it only slightly smaller than the country of Tunisia.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh (LAHDC Leh) is the Autonomous District Council that administers the Leh district.[7]

As of July 2019, Leh district is divided into 7 sub-divisions (new sub-divisions in Leh), 12 tehsils (new tehsils in Panamik, Turtuk, Chuchot and Likir) and 18 new blocks in Sumoor and Likir (blocks).[8][5]

Sub–divisions, Blocks and Villages in Leh[9]
District Sub-Division Blocks Villages
Leh district Khaltsi KhaltsiKanji, Khaltsi, Lamayuru, Leh Dho, Nurla, Skindiang, Takmachik, Temisgam, Tia
Singaylalok Fotoksar, Lingshet, Wanla, Youl Chung
Skurbuchan Dah, Damkhar, Hanoo, Skur Buchan
Leh Chuchot Chuchot Yakma, Chuchot Gongma, Chuchot Shama, Mathoo, Stakna, Stok
Leh Phey, Saboo, Phyang, Spituk, Choglamsar
Thiksay Nang, Rambir Por, Shey, Thiksey
Nubra Diskit Diger, Disket, Hundar, Hundar Dok, Hundri, Khalsar, Khardong, Khema Khungru, Lakjung, Largiab, Partapur, Skanpuk, Skuru, Tangyar, Terchey, Udmaru, Warisfistan
Panamic Chamshan Charasa, Khemi, Kubed, Panamic, Sumoor, Tiggar
Turtuk Bogdang, Chulungkha, Taksi, Thanga Chathang, Turtok
Durbuk Durbuk Chushul, Durbuk, Kargyam, Man Pangong, Shachukul, Tangste
Kharu KharuChanga, Chemday, Gia, Hemis, Igoo, Khargu, Langokor, Matselang, Miru, Phuktse, Serthi, Shang, Shara, Sharnose, Upshi
Likir NimooBazgoo, Chiling Sumda, Likir, Ney, Nimoo, Rumbak, Skiumarkha, Taroo, Umla
Saspol Alchi, Giramangu, Saspochey, Suspol, Tarhipti, Hemishok Pachan
Nyoma NyomaAnlay, Demjok, Koyul, Mood, Nyoma
Rong-Chumathang Chumathang, Himya, Kerey, Kumgyam, Liktse, Skitmang, Tarchit, Teri, Leh, Tukla
Rupsho-Puga Karzok, Kharnak, Samad Rakchan
Total 7 16 113

Demographics
Sex Ratio in Leh District in 2011 Census.[10]
(no. females per 1,000 males)
Religion (and population) Sex Ratio
Buddhist (pop 88,635)
 
 1,014
Hindu (pop 22,882)
 
 42
Muslim (pop 19,057)
 
 816
Other (pop 2,913)
 
 165
Total (pop 133,487)
 
 690

According to the 2011 census Leh district had a population of 133,487,[11] roughly equal to the nation of Saint Lucia.[12] This gives it a ranking of 609th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 3 inhabitants per square kilometre (7.8/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.87%, (it was 30.15% for 1991–2001). Leh has a sex ratio of 690 females for every 1000 males (this varies with religion), and a literacy rate of 77.2%.

Religion
Religion in Leh district (2011)[10]
Religion Percent(%)
Buddhism
 
 66.40%
Hinduism
 
 17.14%
Islam
 
 14.28%
Sikhism
 
 0.82%
Other or not stated
 
 1.36%
Leh district: religion, gender ratio, and % urban of population, according to the 2011 Census.[10]
Hindu Muslim Christian Sikh Buddhist Jain Other Not stated Total
Total 22,88219,0576581,09288,635103541,006133,487
17.14%14.28%0.49%0.82%66.40%0.08%0.04%0.75%100.00%
Male 21,95810,4934691,01844,019492993678,971
Female 9248,5641897444,61654257054,516
Gender ratio (% female) 4.0%44.9%28.7%6.8%50.3%52.4%46.3%7.0%40.8%
Sex ratio
(no. females per 1,000 males)		 42816403731,014––75690
Urban 14,5425,16935892724,023245357545,671
Rural 8,34013,88830016564,61279143187,816
 % Urban 63.6%27.1%54.4%84.9%27.1%23.3%98.1%57.2%34.2%

Languages

Languages of Leh district (2011)[13]

  Ladakhi (70.22%)
  Hindi (12.75%)
  Balti (3.95%)
  Tibetan (3.46%)
  Punjabi (1.02%)
  Marathi (1.01%)
  Nepali (1.01%)
  Others (6.58%)

Ladakhi is the most spoken language, and Hindi/Urdu is the second-largest language, mainly spoken in Leh. Balti is found in Nubra near the boundary with Gilgit-Baltistan. Tibetan, Punjabi, Marathi and Nepali are all mainly spoken in Leh. Urdu and English are widely understood in Leh.[2]

Politics

Parliamentary Constituency

The district falls under Ladakh (Lok Sabha constituency). The present Member of Parliament (MP) of Ladakh is Jamyang Tsering Namgyal of the BJP

Assembly constituencies

Leh district had two assembly constituencies, Nubra and Leh under Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.[14] Since Ladakh is a union territory without a legislature, it does not currently have a legislative assembly.[15]

Autonomous Hill Council

Leh District is administered by an elected body known as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. The LAHDC was established in 1995.[16]

The latest elections were held in October 2020. The BJP secured 15 seats while the INC won 9 and the Independents won 2.

Transportation

Road

Leh is connected to the rest of India by two high-altitude roads both of which are subject to landslides and neither of which are passable in winter when covered by deep snows. The National Highway 1D from Srinagar via Kargil is generally open longer. The Leh-Manali Highway can be troublesome due to very high passes and plateaus, and the lower but landslide-prone Rohtang Pass near Manali. The third road axis is under construction.

The overland approach to Ladakh from the Kashmir valley via the 434-km. National Highway 1 typically remains open for traffic from June to October/November. The most dramatic part of this road journey is the ascent up the 3,505 m (11,500 ft.) high Zoji-la, a tortuous pass in the Great Himalayan Wall. The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh on this route with an overnight halt at Kargil. Taxis (cars and jeeps) are also available at Srinagar for the journey.

Since 1989, the 473-km Leh-Manali Highway has been serving as the second land approach to Ladakh. Open for traffic from June to late October, this high road traverses the upland desert plateaux of Rupsho whose altitude ranges from 3,660 m to 4,570 m. There are a number of high passes en route among which the highest one, known as Tanglang La, is sometimes (but incorrectly) claimed to be the world's second-highest motorable pass at an altitude of 5,325 m. (17,469 feet).[17]

This is the third road axis to Leh. It is currently under construction.

Air
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

Leh's Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport has flights to Delhi at least daily on Air India which also provides twice-weekly services to Jammu and a weekly flight to Srinagar. Passengers connect in Delhi for other destinations. Go First operates Delhi to Leh daily flights during peak time.

Rail

There is no railway service currently in Ladakh, however, 2 railway routes are proposed- the Bhanupli–Leh line and Srinagar–Kargil–Leh line.[18]

See also

References
  1. "Lok Sabha Members". Lok Sabha. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  2. "Muslim Precedence Politics - How it operates in Ladakh". Kashmir Sentinel. August 2002. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008.
  3. "Leh Declared Tobacco-Free". The Tribune India. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  4. "Article 370 revoked Updates: Jammu & Kashmir is now a Union Territory, Lok Sabha passes bifurcation bill". Business Today. 6 August 2019.
  5. Leh tehsils.
  6. "J&K Reorganisation (Removal of Difficulties) Second Order, 2019 -- [Territory of Leh district shall constitute, Gilgit, Gilgit Wazarat, Chilas, Tribal territory & 'Leh & Ladakh' except present territory of Kargil]". 2 November 2019.
  7. "Ladakh Autonomous Hill development Council act 1997" (PDF). Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  8. "Subdivisions & Blocks". District Leh - Ladakh.
  9. "Villages | District Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh | India". District Leh - Ladakh – Government of India. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  10. C-1 Population By Religious Community – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  11. "Leh district census data 2011" (PDF). Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  12. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Saint Lucia 161,557 July 2011 est.
  13. C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  14. "ERO's and AERO's". Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir. Archived from the original on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  15. "J&K to be a union territory with legislature, Ladakh to be without". India Today. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  16. "Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh". Leh. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2007.
  17. See the article on Khardung La for a discussion of the world's highest motorable passes.
  18. "Himachal CM meets Union railway minister, seeks 100% Centre funding for Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Leh rail line". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
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