Namli Mera Union Council
Namli Maira is one of the 51 Union Councils of Abbottabad District in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan[1].
Location
It is situated between 34° 07.33' N, 073° 23.00' E in Abbottabad district. The Union Council is a collection of small hamlets, and takes it name from the largest two i.e. Namli and Maira. These settlements are nestled on mountain ridges about 20 kilometres from the city of Abbottabad, Pakistan. A mettled road connects Namli Maira to the main Abbottabad-Nathia Gali road near Azizabad (Bagnotar) and is an alternate route to reach Nathia Gali from Abbottabad. It is some 3 Kilometres away from main road (Bagnotar). Miranjani the highest peak of the area is also in Namli Maira. From Mera Jani, Azad Kashmir, River Jhelum, (Kohala) Tarbela lake, Abbottabad city, Havelian and other far places can easily be seen.
Namli Maira is mainly a mountainous rural area. The nearest city to people living in Namli Maira is Abbottabad which is also its Tehsil & District capital.
Administration
Villages
The most prominent villages of Namli Maira Union council are
- Namli
- Maira khurd
- Maira kalan
- Noor mang
- Jaster
Mohallas
Namli Maira consists of the following important Mohallas
- Proper Namli
- Maira Khurd
- Maira Klan
- Dana
- Paghar
- Kotli
- Noor Nala
- Dera
- Khuni Back-Nali
- Pharhee
- Thoore
According to population Maira Klan, Proper Namli, Maira Khurd are the most populated areas.
Livelihood
Hunger and starvation pushed many people towards the plains or into the army, police and other services. The main occupations of the people is farming and cattle breeding. Farming is the main occupation of the hill people although it return them low profit. Farmers cultivate one season crops in the hilly tracts as they have no idea of double cropping, reason being climatic and irrigation water conditions do not permit high returns. Due to the lack of awareness of agricultural knowledge farmers are unable to get proper return. The other occupation of these hill people is cattle breeding - but this is also not very profitable. Cows, sheep and goat are kept for supplying milk for the daily use of the household. Bullocks are used to work the plough.
Ethnic groups
The majority of the people of Namli Meira belong to the Karlal tribe, this tribe is sub-divided into clans.
Other tribes in this area are: Turks, Mughal, Malik and Awan and Abbasi, although they are in a minority. People are religious and are all Muslims. Although Hindku is spoken throughout Namli Maira, Urdu is also understood by everyone.
Climate and Crops
As this area is away from sea and is above from sea level its winter are extreme. Winter lasts from October to April. April tends to be quite pleasant as the climate is temperate. In May and June the temperature rises to a maximum of 30 degrees.
From mid July to mid August people enjoy fifth season of monsoon, which provides relief after the hot months (i.e. May and June). Farming is the main occupation of the people. The major crops grown here are potato and maize. Some vegetable are also found here like turnip, radish, peas, pumpkin, beans and mustard.
Fruits
Fruit like pear, apple, black grapes, grapes, fig, peach, damson plum, mulberry, wild fig, lemon, apricot are find in abundance in Namli Maira. As the hill people lack awareness about the markets, they are unable to get a proper return. These fruits only meet the requirement of local people.
Forests
Most of the area of these hilly hamlets villages are covered with trees. Peaks are covered with evergreen trees including pine, walnut, oak and maple trees. Herbs, sherbs, wild flowers and thorny bushes can be seen in abundance. Goats and other pet animals grassing in pastures. People used forest wood as fuel for daily use and also for homes construction.
Education
Literacy Rate: Namli Maira village has one of the highest literacy rates for the district. The literacy rate of Namli Maira is about 75%. Girls and boys both type of school are found here. There are Primary schools for boys and girls, Government Boys High School, Girls High school. Private English Medium are also located here - these account for the high literacy rate. As this is away from city only a day trip is recommended for tourists.There is no over night stay facility here.
Notable People
Two of the most respected politicians of the area have now died , Sardar Abdul Aziz was well known throughout the area, after him Sardar Ghulam Nabi (passed away in December 2006),was also known as Chief Sahib made every possible effort for the betterment of this area and did his best for the people of Namli Maira [2]. He is well regarded by the local people, as he helped provide basic facilities like road , electricity, telephone and water supply scheme.
Other notable people are Sardar Raza, Sardar Saleem and Sir Habib of Habib Public School. Both Sardar Raza and Sir Habib are nephews of late Sardar Ghulam Nabi Khan. Sardar Ghulam Nabi Khan was elected three times to the Provincial legislature and remained a member of the cabinet of ministers of the province [2]. His brother Sardar Mohammad Yousaf, who is the father of Sardar Mommad Raza Khan, remained a well respected Chairman of the Union Council.
Sardar Waqar Nabi who is son of late Chief sahib(Sardar Ghulam Nabi also known as chief Sahib)[1], has now pledged with the people of Namli Maira to represent them and bring back the lost glory which is now legacy of his late father.
- (SARDAR SHAHNAWAZ AKBAR**),S/O,SARDAR MUHAMMAD AKBAR.
Mohallah :Maira khurd.Namli Maira ,Abbottabad. He do his qualification from Abbottabad and compleat his masters degree (MBA-Finance) from Maqnsehra,And then he join ministry of education,government of Pakistan.after that he joined shifa Internationaled Hospital,H-8,Islamabad.
After then he got the opportunity to work for a Ministry of Privatization & Inverstment.
One of the most prolific personalities of Namili maira
2005 earthquake
The 8th October 2005, was one of the worst days in the history of Pakistan. An Earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck the Northern areas as well as Kashmir. Across both sides of the line of control. The quake brought huge destruction. Namli Maira was partially damaged, but the aftershocks were felt in this area even in December. Houses were damaged but the death toll was very low.
References
