Boniyar


Boniyar is a town and a municipal committee in tehsil Boniyar, Baramulla district in India's northernmost union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located 20 km towards west from district headquarters Baramulla. Boniyar was given tehsil status in 2006. Prominent villages in tehsil Boniyar are Wopal Haq Marg Athishampora Bijhama, Trikanjan, Barnate, Uranbuha, Chandanwari Chahla and Nowshera.
A major site of attraction is Lower Jhelum hydropower project at Chalah Boniyar having a capacity of generating 105 MW. Lachipora wildlife sanctuary has been established for conserving markhoor and other vulnerable animals.
The bank of the dam of Lower Jehlum Hydropower plant has become a tourist destination with Nowshera at the opposite side of river Jhelum have got amazing viewpoints.
There is a diversity of people living in tehsil Boniyar of the Baramulla district, with most of the people speaking Pahari. About 70-80 % people of tehsil boniyar speak Pahari language. So, Pahari speakers are found in huge number. Left behind people mainly speak Kashmiri, Gujri, Urdu.
It is a Muslim dominated region with about 60% belonging to the Sunni Muslim community and 38% Shia Muslim community.
Other religions are found in minority with about 1% Hindus and 1% Sikhs.
Noorkhah a village of boniyar tehsil is found prominent in mineral aspects like Gypsum, Limestone and Ochre. With Gypsum currently being extracted.
However this is also leading to Ill effects to the residents like:- deforestation, soil erosion, landslides etc.