Kokernag is a sub-district town and a notified area committee in Breng Valley (The Golden Crown of Kashmir), Anantnag district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The place is known for the botanical gardens, pristine freshwater springs, and rainbow trout farm. It is 25.3 km from Anantnag via NH244. It is one of the most popular weekend getaways from the state capital of Srinagar.[3]
Kokernag
Breng Kokernag | |
|---|---|
Sub-District and Town | |
 Kokernag Park | |
| Nickname: Breng Kokernag | |
  Kokernag Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India  Kokernag Kokernag (India) | |
| Coordinates: 33°35′05″N 75°18′31″E / 33.584721°N 75.308601°E | |
| Country | India |
| Union Territory | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Anantnag |
| Government | |
| • Type | Parliamentary |
| • Body | Municipal |
| Elevation | 2,000 m (7,000 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 6,553 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English[1][2] |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 192202 |
| Vehicle registration | JK-03 |
| Website | anantnag |
Etymology edit
The etymology of the word 'Kokernag' (Kashmiri: کۄکرناگ) is controversial and there are various theories, none of which has any conclusive historical proof. One theory is that the name derives from the two words koker and nag. Koker has been taken from a Kashmiri word for chicken, while nag has been taken from a Sanskrit word for springs. The springs gush out of the base of a thickly wooded hill from where it divides into channels, which resembles the claw-foot of a hen, hence the name.[4] A second theory is that Koker means 'fowl' and nag means 'serpent'. Yet another theory is that the word Kokernag originates from Koh (Mountain) kan (from or under) nag (spring).[5]
Kokernag is known also as Breng Kokernag, the name given by poet and scholar Shiekh ul Alam. He said "kokernag breng chu sunsund preng" which means that "Kokernag is crown of gold".[citation needed] Kokernag is also mentioned in Ain Akbari, wherein it has been mentioned that the water of Kokernag satisfies both hunger and thirst and it is also a remedy for indigestion.[4]
Geography edit
Kokernag is at an altitude of approximately 2,000 m above sea level. Towns situated around Kokernag are Wangam, Devalgam, Hangalgund, Nagam, Sagam, Zalengam, Magam, and Soaf Shali. The total area of the Kokernag trout farm is about 400 kanals, of which 129 kanals is for the purpose of gardens and area.[3]
Climate edit
| Climate data for Kokernag (1981–2010, extremes 1978–2012) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
29.2 (84.6) |
28.3 (82.9) |
32.6 (90.7) |
34.9 (94.8) |
33.0 (91.4) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.2 (88.2) |
29.4 (84.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
18.4 (65.1) |
34.9 (94.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 5.0 (41.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
13.4 (56.1) |
18.9 (66.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
26.5 (79.7) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.1 (80.8) |
25.2 (77.4) |
20.5 (68.9) |
13.8 (56.8) |
8.2 (46.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −3.5 (25.7) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
2.7 (36.9) |
6.5 (43.7) |
9.6 (49.3) |
13.1 (55.6) |
16.0 (60.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
11.4 (52.5) |
6.6 (43.9) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
6.4 (43.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −15.3 (4.5) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
4.2 (39.6) |
9.2 (48.6) |
9.1 (48.4) |
4.4 (39.9) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−10.5 (13.1) |
−15.3 (4.5) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 92.6 (3.65) |
119.8 (4.72) |
144.9 (5.70) |
112.1 (4.41) |
114.7 (4.52) |
79.0 (3.11) |
94.9 (3.74) |
95.5 (3.76) |
50.8 (2.00) |
42.7 (1.68) |
37.3 (1.47) |
60.8 (2.39) |
1,044.9 (41.14) |
| Average rainy days | 5.7 | 7.5 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 4.1 | 72.5 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 79 | 72 | 63 | 57 | 57 | 55 | 66 | 69 | 62 | 59 | 67 | 73 | 65 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department[6] | |||||||||||||
Economy edit
It is known for its trout streams and the largest fresh water spring in Kashmir. The trout hatchery department has constructed pools in series in which trout is reared. The Trout Fish Farming Project Kokernag through European Economic Community Assistance was established in 1984 and serves as the mother unit for production of quality Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. Under the extension program of this project, 59 trout rearing units/hatcheries have been established in almost all the districts of the state, including Leh and Kargil. More new trout rearing units are also coming up. The trout is made readily available to the common man at all the rearing units of the department, including a special sale outlet at Gagribal.[7]
The state's first rural mart has been set up in Kokernag to promote and market the handicraft products manufactured by the local women self help groups, by NABARD.[8]
Demographics edit
Religion in Kokernag Town (2011)[9]
According to the 2011 India census, Kokernag had a population of 6,553. Males constitute 68% of the population and females constitute 32% of the population. Kokernag has an average literacy rate of 63%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 77%, female literacy is 33%. In Kokernag, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Transportation edit
Road edit
Kokernag is situated at a distance of about 25 km from Anantnag on the right side of NH 244. The easiest and most comfortable means of transportation is to hire a Sumo at Anantnag. One can also catch a local bus that is easily available in Anantnag and head towards Kokernag. It takes about one hour to reach Kokernag.[3]
Rail edit
The nearest railway station is Anantnag railway station on the 119 km long Kashmir Railway that runs from Baramulla to Banihal. It lies at a distance of 30 km from Kokernag.
Air edit
The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport, located 85 kilometres from Kokernag.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Kokernag". Department of Tourism, Government of J&K. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
- ^ a b Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir. "Kokernag". J & K Tourism. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
- ^ Khan, Ruhail (6 July 2017). Who Killed Kasheer?. Notion Press. ISBN 9781947283107.
- ^ "Station: Kukernag Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 439–440. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Jk, Fisheries (12 August 2022). "Trout Fish Farming Project Kokernag". jkfisheries.in. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Jammu & Kashmir's first rural mart set up in Kokernag". The Indian Express. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ "Kokernag Town Population". Census India. Retrieved 12 July 2021.