Garam Chashma

Hot spring

The spring water emerges from underground sulfur deposits making its temperature rise above boiling point. For the same reason, the spring is also known as Sulphur Spring. The spring is the warmest in the westward extension of the Himalayan Geothermal Belt. It emerges from leucogranites of the Hindu Kush Range that date from 20–18 Ma. Reservoir temperatures may be as high as 260 °C. It is not clear whether the circulation of deep groundwater in this region is driven by topography or by tectonic lateral stress.{{cite journal|page=75|last1=Hochstein|last2=Regenauer-Lieb|first1=M.P. |first2=K. |title=Heat generation associated with the collision of two plates: the Himalayan geothermal belt

Demography

The Khowar is the official language spoken in this valley. The population of Garam Chashma is approximately 50,000 people. Since the last census in Pakistan was conducted in 1998, there is no precise source of information in this regard. The male-to-female ratio is almost 50-50. Almost 60 percent of the population is young people. The majority religion in Garam Chashma is Ismaili Shi'ite Islam and adherence to the Aga Khan is widespread.

Languages

Khowar is the main language spoken and understood by the majority of the population. The second most spoken language is Yidgha, an Iranian language spoken by a few thousand people in Parabeg valley. A small number of people, in Gobor Valley, also speak Sheikhan-War, a dialect spoken in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan.

In addition, many people understand and some can even speak Persian. This is due to the influence of Nasir Khisraw, the eleventh-century poet and philosopher. One of his disciples had come to this part of the region and settled here permanently. He preached the Ismaili thought, hence marking the dawn of Ismailism in this part of the world. More recently, the neighbouring country, Afghanistan, was involved in the war with the USSR and as a result, a huge influx of refugees fled to this area. Since Garam Chashma was easily accessible from Badakhshan, many Afghans chose to stay and some of the refugees are still living here. This interaction with Dari speakers refreshed the memories associated with Persian.

Educational institutions

• Aga Khan Schools (A network of schools from ECD-High School, spread across the area)
• Government Higher Secondary School Garam Chashma
• Government Higher Secondary School for Women, Izh, Garam Chashma
• Community Based Degree College for Women Ovirk, Garam Chashma
• Government High School Ovirk, Garam Chashma
• Government Primary and Middle School (a network of schools spread across the area)
• Pamir Public School and College, Garam Chashma
• Al-Nasir Community Based School, Garam Chashma
• Chamber of Commerce College, Garam Chashma
• Injigan Ideal Public school, Garam Chashma. (Sardar Gulab)
• Government high school for girls Murdan
• Community school Shagrm (Murdan)
• Government high school Parabag for boys
• Injigan Ideal Public school Chitral, Garamchashma.

References

• “Concise Biological Glance on Garamchishma Hot Spring” . Aftab Khan, Pakistan Medical Research Council, Khyber Medical College Peshawar

References

1. Tahir Jahangir. (24 February 2005). "A Travel Companion to the Northern Areas of Pakistan". Oxford University Press.
2. Mirza, Sana. (2 May 2016). "www.jaag.tv". www.zemtv.com.
3. Zahiruddin. (7 March 2011). "Chitral's Garam Chashma popular for its healing touch". [[Dawn (newspaper).
4. electricpulp.com. "CHITRAL – Encyclopaedia Iranica".
5. "Hindu Kush {{!}} mountains, Asia".
6. "Khowar language, alphabet and pronunciation".
7. "Yadgha".
8. "Khusraw, Nasir {{!}} Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy".
9. "Ismaili Philosophy {{!}} Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy".
10. "Pamir Public School & College".