As the first round of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections approaches, the Tral constituency in Pulwama district, known for its rich biodiversity, apple and walnut orchards, and complex electoral history, is gearing up for a three-way contest, reports Syed Batool Andrabi
The Tral constituency in Pulwama is set for a three-way contest as the first round of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections approaches. The segment goes to polls in the first of the three phases on September 18.
The main contenders are Rafiq Ahmad Naik of the People’s Democratic Party, Surinder Singh Channi of the National Conference-Congress alliance, and Dr Ghulam Nabi Bhat, an independent candidate backed by the National Conference.
The interesting part of the three key candidates is that they are all “adopted” in a way. JKNC could not field its candidate because Congress wanted to have it as part of their pre-poll alliance. So the JKNC candidate Dr Ghulam Nabi Bhat is contesting as an independent. Congress had promised a ticket to Channi if he would join them after deserting PDP. So they kept their promise. PDP, the party which won the seat twice in last two elections with Mushtaq Ahmad Shah as its candidate, fielded Rafiq Ahmad Naik, the towering JKNC leader Ali Mohammad Naik’s son.
In the forthcoming election, 48,801 male electors, 49,348 female electors, and 7 transgender individuals will participate.
Nine candidates are contesting the Tral seat. They are Pushvinder Singh, Harbaksh Singh, Abdul Rashid Gojjer, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Surinder Singh, Zahid Iqbal, and Tahir Mansoor Zargar. Mostly independents, JKPDP and Congress have party can. The candidates’ diverse backgrounds indicate a competitive electoral landscape, as they seek the electorate’s support.
Electoral History
Tral has a long history of political engagement. In 1972, Tral witnessed a significant moment when independent candidate Ali Mohammad Naik won with 11,594 votes, accounting for 64.1 per cent of the total votes.
The election saw 18,088 valid votes from a registered electorate of 25,078, resulting in a 75.09 per cent voter turnout. Gulam Hassan Beg of the Indian National Congress came second with 4,195 votes (23.19 per cent), losing by 7,399 votes. Hakim Ghulam Nabi of Jamaat-i-Islami received 2,299 votes (12.71 per cent). This election highlighted strong support for independent candidates in the region.
In 1977, Mohammad Subhan Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) won the Tral Assembly Constituency election with 13,315 votes, accounting for 46.05 per cent of the total valid votes cast.
The election saw 28,913 valid votes from 35,073 registered electors, reflecting an 84.72 per cent voter turnout. Independent candidate Ali Mohammad Naik finished second with 11,859 votes (41.02 per cent), losing by 1,456 votes. Other candidates included Ghulam Rasool of Jamaat-i-Islami with 2,685 votes (9.29 per cent) and Mohan Singh of the Janata Party with 1,054 votes (3.65 per cent). The 1977 election showed continued JKNC support in Tral, despite a strong independent challenge.
In the 1983 Tral election, independent candidate Ali Mohammad Naik won decisively with 21,283 votes, accounting for 61.05 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 34,861 valid votes from a registered electorate of 40,313, resulting in an 88.32 per cent voter turnout. Mohammad Subhan Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference finished second with 13,578 votes (38.95 per cent), losing by 7,705 votes. This election continued the trend of previous polls.
In 1987, Ghulam Nabi Naik of the Indian National Congress won the Tral Assembly election with 13,629 votes, accounting for 35.17 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election recorded 38,757 valid votes from 45,254 registered electors, reflecting an 87.45 per cent voter turnout. Independent candidate Mohmad Sultan finished second with 12,274 votes (31.67 per cent), losing by 1,355 votes. Other candidates included independent Ali Mohammad Naik with 11,171 votes (28.82 per cent) and independent Kanwal Nain Singh with 1,683 votes (4.34 per cent). The 1987 election saw independent candidates maintain a strong presence in Tral, with the INC candidate narrowly securing the seat.
In the 1996 elections, Ali Mohammad Naik of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) won decisively with 22,732 votes, accounting for 77.92 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 29,172 valid votes from an electorate of 53,830, resulting in a 58.3 per cent voter turnout. Krishan Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party finished second with 2,127 votes (7.29 per cent). Other candidates included Ali Mohammad of the All-India Indira Congress (Tiwari) with 1,863 votes (6.39 per cent), Abdul Ahad Wani of the Janata Dal with 1,351 votes (4.63 per cent), and Silender Singh of the Indian National Congress with 1,099 votes (3.77 per cent). This marked a significant victory for Naik and the JKNC, reflecting strong regional support.
In 2002, Ghulam Nabi Bhat of the JKNC emerged victorious with 3,253 votes, accounting for 47.3 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 6,878 valid votes from an electorate of 59,555, resulting in an 11.55 per cent voter turnout. Surinder Singh of the Indian National Congress finished second with 2,944 votes (42.8 per cent), losing by 309 votes. Surjeet Singh of the Bahujan Samaj Party received 681 votes (9.9 per cent). The JKNC maintained dominance in Tral, despite a strong INC challenge in 2002.
In 2008, Tral revealed a competitive political landscape, with multiple independent candidates participating alongside established party representatives. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) won with 10,393 votes, accounting for 28.47 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 36,510 valid votes from an electorate of 74,992, resulting in a 48.69 per cent voter turnout. Mohammad Ashraf Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKN) finished second with 6,586 votes (18.04 per cent), losing by 3,807 votes. Other candidates included independent Ghulam Mohammad Mir with 3,733 votes (10.22 per cent) and Surinder Singh of the Indian National Congress (INC) with 3,158 votes (8.65 per cent).
In 2014 elections, Mushtaq Shah of the JKPDP retained the seat by polling 12,415 votes, representing 38.56 per cent of the total valid votes. The election saw 32,193 valid votes from an electorate of 84,231, resulting in a 38.22 per cent voter turnout. Mohammad Ashraf Bhat of the JKN secured second place with 8,305 votes (25.8 per cent), losing by 4,110 votes. Other candidates included Ghulam Mohammad Mir of the INC with 3,649 votes (11.33 per cent) and Avtar Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 2,945 votes (9.15 per cent).
Geography
Tral is a major tourist draw in Jammu and Kashmir. Its attractions include Nagaberan, Wasturwan (Syedabad), Gufkral, Shikargah, Panner Dam, Aripal Spring, Narastan, Hajan, and Dilnag.
Tral has an average elevation of 1,662 metres and covers 110 square kilometres. The town is divided into Upper Tral (Tral-i-Bala) and Lower Tral (Tral-i-Payeen), with a larger population. Tral lies 10 kilometres from NH1 Awantipora, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, natural springs, dense forests, and villages.
Popular tourist spots include Shikargah, Aripal, Laam, Narastan, and Hajan. The region is home to 82 springs, including hot springs that remain warm in winter and cool in summer. Tral features several meadows and fields, such as Taarsar, Maarsar, and Dilnaag Heart Spring, a popular recreational area. The architecture is characterised by brick houses with tin roofs. While the eastern side is relatively dry, the western slopes support extensive rice cultivation.
Climate and Wildlife
The region enjoys a pleasant summer, with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. Winters are cold, with snow lingering in some areas until April.
The Tral Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 2019, spans 155 square kilometres. It comprises the Shikargah and Khangund Conservation Reserves.
The sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It is home to the critically endangered hangul, also known as the Kashmir red deer. The sanctuary’s flora is diverse, transitioning from riverine forests to coniferous and alpine scrub.
Elevation within the sanctuary ranges from 1,600 metres to over 3,500 metres. This supports a variety of ecosystems and wildlife.
Economy
Tral’s economy is largely driven by agriculture and natural resources. The region is renowned for its apple and walnut orchards, which significantly contribute to local livelihoods.
The establishment of the Tral Wildlife Sanctuary has created opportunities for eco-tourism, promoting sustainable economic activities. Locals rely on the forests for fodder, livestock grazing, and firewood, particularly during harsh winters.
The sanctuary’s rich biodiversity, including endangered species like the hangul, can attract nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. However, challenges such as overgrazing and human-wildlife conflict need to be addressed.
Sustainable practices and training local youth as nature guides could enhance economic prospects while preserving the environment. This approach can balance economic development with environmental conservation.