Chenab Valley

The Chenab Valley, also known as the Chenab Region, is the river valley of the Chenab River flowing through the Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts of Jammu Division in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Location.
Erstwhile Doda known as Chenab Valley lies between the middle and outer Himalayan range in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is divided into three districts: Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar and 1 sub-division of Reasi are also believed to be a part of this sub-region. The valley touches the Anantnag district of J&K to the north, the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, and Kathua district to the South, the Udhampur district to the southwest, and Salal Reasi Subdivision to the West, with Doda in its middle.
Geography.
Chenab Valley has mostly hilly terrain. The Chenab River flows through all the districts of Chenab Valley including Doda district, Kishtwar District, Ramban District & Reasi district. The area is an active seismic zone.
History.
The demography of Chenab valley which is referred to erstwhile Doda district is complex as compared to its neighbouring districts primarily because of the wide diversity in its population. In the past, Doda was largely inhabited by Sarazi population before people started settling here from Kashmir and other adjoining areas. The reasons for kashmiri population settling here in the past in 17th and 18th century is matter of ambiguity between historians. However Sumantra Bose says it was repression by feudal class that drew people to the district of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar.
The Chenab valley consists of areas drawn from the ancient principalities of Kishtwar and Bhadarwah, both of which became part of a district by the name of Udhampur in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
People.
Kashmiris form majority in Chenab Valley but Gujjars, Paharis & Bhaderwahis have also significant population. Chenab Valley is rich in cultural heritage and ethical values, but also has age-old traditions of secularism and tolerance. Though this place has also faced rising insurgency. During the rise of insurgency in Kashmir in the early 1990s; this place was second most affected place in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The main occupations of the people of the valley are farming and cattle rearing.
Languages.
Chenab Valley is home to a variety of ethnic groups. Among the languages spoken in Chenab Valley are the following: Kashmiri and its dialects Kishtwari, Rambani and Pogali is the most widely spoken language in the region. Other languages include Gojri, Pahari language, Bhaderwahi, Dogri & Ladakhi.