Skardu District

The Skardu District (Urdu: ضلع سکردو) is a district of Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region.^[1] The district headquarters is the town of Skardu, which is also the division headquarters.

Skardu District ضلع سکردو
District of Gilgit-Baltistan administered by Pakistan
Halma Ranga
Interactive map of Skardu district
A map showing Pakistani-administered Gilgit-Baltistan (shaded in sage green) in the disputed Kashmir region[1]
Coordinates: 35°17′25″N 75°38′40″E
Administering country	Pakistan
Territory	Gilgit-Baltistan
Division	Baltistan Division
Headquarters	Skardu
Government
• Type	District Administration
• Deputy Commissioner	Karimdad Chugtai (PAS)
• District Police Officer	Hassan Ali (PSP)
• District Health Officer	N/A
Area (including Roundu District)[2]
• Total	10,168 km2 (3,926 sq mi)
Population  (2022)
• Total	312,875[2]
Number of tehsils	4

Geography

Skardu District is bounded on the east by the Ghanche District, on the south by the Kharmang District, on the west by the Astore District, on the north-west by the Rondu District and on the north by the Shigar district.

Map of Gilgit–Baltistan with the Skardu District highlighted in red

Mountain peaks and glaciers

The highest peak in Skardu District is K2 (8,611 m), which is the highest peak in Pakistan and the second-highest in the world. The Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of the Karakoram Mountains that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), the Gasherbrums (8,000+ m), and Masherbrum (7,821 m), is located in Skardu District. Askole is the last settlement in the district for all treks to Concordia (the confluence of the Baltoro Glacier and the Godwin-Austen Glacier). The Biafo Glacier and a major part of the Hispar Glacier are also located in the Skardu District.^[3] Overall 27% of district consists of alpine and winter pastures, and 71% is either barren or permanently snow covered.^[4]

View of the Karakoram Mountains

Education

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2015, the Skardu District is ranked 14th out of 148 districts of Pakistan in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 89th out of 148 districts.^[5]

Deosai National Park

The Deosai Plateau is one of the highest plateaus in the world which in fall under the jurisdiction of Skardu District. Since centuries the people of Skardu including Sadpara Village, and Yultar Area (Newranga, Astana, Kushmara, Fapa, Kharpito etc) use Deosai as pasture land in summers for grazing there domesticated animals. The Deosai Plateau is the second- highest plateau in the world, after the Tibet Plateau. Famous places in the Deosai National Park are, Chogo Chu (Bara Pani), Naqpo Chu (Kala Pani), Shatong Nala, Sheosar Tso (Lake).

Major towns

The town of Skardu as seen from the Skardu Fort

The major towns of Skardu District are:- Newranga, Hussainabad, Sadpara, Gamba, Kowardo, Qomrah, Sermik, Chunda, Tandal, Thorgu, Narh, Gol, Koshmara, Atana, Rgya Yul, Sondus, Kharpito, Fapa, Katpana, Shagharthang, Sok, Hoto, Shilla, Shigari Bala ,Basho, Kachura and Skardu town areas including Olding, Khargrong, Sakmaidan, Yultar, Haji Gam, Hassan Colony, Manthal, and Chumik.

Demography

People of the Skardu District are predominantly of the Shia sect of Islam, where 97% of the people are of the Shia sect, 2% are of the Noorbakshi sect, and 1% are of the Sunni sect.^[6]

Lakes

A view of the Indus River in the Skardu District

The main lakes in the district are:

• Foroq Tso (Kachura Lake)
• Sadpar Tso (Satpara Lake)
• Kachura Tso (Shangrila Lake)
• Sheosar Tso (Sheosar Lake)
• Snow Lake

Mountain passes

The Gondogoro Pass and Burgy La (Burgy Pass) is located in the Skardu District.

See also

Geography of Gilgit–Baltistan