Sunday, March 4, 2012

PHYSICAL FEATURES

PHYSICAL FEATURES
The district has rich physical features ranging from mountains, valleys, plain  areas,
forests, meadows with a diverse climate.

Climate
The overall climate of Buner can be termed as dry sub-tropical with mostly pleasant
weather throughout the year. Winter lasts for 4-5 months with mild harshness while the
summers are mildly torrid. Snowfall on mountains peak is common. There are two main
rainy seasons; the winter rains in the Rabi season between November and May, and the
summer monsoon in the Kharif season providing necessary water for respective crops.
Tobacco and wheat are Rabi crops while sugarcane and Maize are the main Kharif crops.
The average rainfall is approximately 30 inches in the area.
Mountains
Buner is bounded by mountains on all four sides with the highest elevation of Dosara
peak (2911 meters) in the North and lowest at Totalai (366 meters). The surface terrain
for most part is rugged and uneven. Most of the rocky material is composed of Barandee,
granites and quartz.
These mountains are providing livelihoods to local people in the form of rudimentary but
growing marble and mineral industry.
Rivers
No major river  passes  through Buner  and  agriculture  is mostly rain fed with some
pockets where underground water is available. There are number of springs and streams
that provide water for domestic use and irrigation. Barandq stream (flowing from Dosara
mountain)  is  the  most  important  water  line  as  it  connects  with  all  major  villages
eventually falling into the Indus. Other famous streams (locally known Khwar) include
Chamla Khawar, Khadukhel Khawar, Nagrai, and Bar Borai.
The famous valleys of Buner include Elum, Gokand, Salarzi, Chagharzi and Amazi.
These scenic valleys have great potential for tourism but the government has yet to
devise a strategy for tourism promotion here.
Flora, Fauna & Forests
Buner's mountainous areas are famous for a variety of medicinal herbs. Some of the
important varieties include; ananguanay (wild pomegranate), Bakyana (Persian Lilac),
Inzer (figs),  and tut (mulberry). Some  common found faunal species include Goral,
Markhor, grey partridge, black partridge, jackal, and monkey.
The total forested area of Buner is 32,102 hectares. Buner district falls in the subtropical
ecological zone with warm summers and mild winters. Generally, forest condition is
very weak. Main forest types are scrubs (Acacia, Kahu, Sanatha, etc.,) at lower elevation
and Chir pines at higher elevation.

MAJOR TOWNS & PLACES OF INTEREST
Karakar is located 34 kms south of Saidu Sharif at an elevation of 1336 meters. It is a
major tourist resort presenting a good view of the valley. There is a rest house for tourists
on the hilltop.
Dagger is the main town of the district. It is situated along Barandu river and houses
government  offices,  banks,  educational  institutions  and  health  facilities.  Some
government offices and a government degree college are also located at Sawarai, the
main trade and commercial centre of the district.
Ambela which witnessed unprecedented destruction is a mountainous pass that enters
the District from Mardan. This place has historical significance with reference to Ranjit
Singh's famous victory in 1863. Standing on the Ambela pass the whole valley up to the
areas of Chamla tehsil, Daggar and Gagra are visible.
Climate
The overall climate of Buner can be termed as dry sub-tropical with mostly pleasant
weather throughout the year. Winter lasts for 4-5 months with mild harshness while the
summers are mildly torrid. Snowfall on mountains peak is common. There are two main
rainy seasons; the winter rains in the Rabi season between November and May, and the
summer monsoon in the Kharif season providing necessary water for respective crops.
Tobacco and wheat are Rabi crops while sugarcane and Maize are the main Kharif crops.
The average rainfall is approximately 30 inches in the area.
Mountains
Buner is bounded by mountains on all four sides with the highest elevation of Dosara
peak (2911 meters) in the North and lowest at Totalai (366 meters). The surface terrain
for most part is rugged and uneven. Most of the rocky material is composed of Barandee,
granites and quartz.
These mountains are providing livelihoods to local people in the form of rudimentary but
growing marble and mineral industry.
Rivers
No major river  passes  through Buner  and  agriculture  is mostly rain fed with some
pockets where underground water is available. There are number of springs and streams
that provide water for domestic use and irrigation. Barandq stream (flowing from Dosara
mountain)  is  the  most  important  water  line  as  it  connects  with  all  major  villages
eventually falling into the Indus. Other famous streams (locally known Khwar) include
Chamla Khawar, Khadukhel Khawar, Nagrai, and Bar Borai.
The famous valleys of Buner include Elum, Gokand, Salarzi, Chagharzi and Amazi.
These scenic valleys have great potential for tourism but the government has yet to
devise a strategy for tourism promotion here.


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