Geography of Anantnag

At a distance of 53 km from Srinagar lies this wonderful place called Anantnag. The natural beauty of this city is accentuated by its topography and geographical conditions making it an alluring tourist spot in Kashmir Valley. The district has proximity to towering heights of Peer Panjal Ranges which lies towards its south. In this direction, it shares the border with tehsils under Jammu including Kishtwar, Reasi, and Banihal. Eastern side of district is flanked by Kargil Tehsil known for its thick woods and high mountains. Northern border of Anantnag has Pulwama district while on west of it, is Kulgam district of the state.


The city itself in divided into three towns called Anantnag. Matta, and Khanabal. The city of Anantnag enjoys a strategically important location which lies in the center of this province. It has all the beautiful tourist destinations covered under Anantnag district. These places including Pahalgam, Achabal, Verinag, and Kokernag are the jewels in tourism of Jammu and Kashmir.

Topography of Anantnag

Anantnag lies at a latitude of 33-200 to 34 -150 north and longitude of 74-300 to 75 -350 East. At an elevation of 1600 meters above the sea level, it is a mesmerizing location known for its enchanting gardens and water bodies. Though, the height of its surrounding mountains reaches to whooping 4572 meters in some parts of district. Mainly, the southern portion of Anantnag is flanked by high peaks. The mountains on all its sides are covered with dense forests. The district has brown forest soil in most of its parts. It contains texture of silty clay loam and sandy clay loam with granular structure. Paddy is the main crop cultivated in this region which is also known for its rich apple meadows rendering delicious fruits that are exported the world over.


Minerals like Lime stone and Ferogenous Quartgete are found in abundance here. The area of Anantnag is surrounded by thick forests which cover 2068 sq km of its landscape. The district has highest number of natural springs which facilitate in the irrigation of this land. It lies in the Jhelum sub basin under Indus Basin. As such, Jhelum is the main river of this district originating from the most famous spring of Anantnag at Verinag and having its tributaries like Lidder, Sadarn, and Vishav draining the whole area. Due to presence of Panjal traps, its mountainous terrain generally has igneous and metamorphic rock formations.

Flora and Fauna of Anantnag

The rich topography of this region endows it with an equally rich flora and fauna. The district of Anantnag has many well maintained gardens and parks exhibiting the lustrous natural beauty of this place along with its varied flora scattered in them. The exquisite flora of this area includes beautiful flowers like Tulips, cosmos, lilies, gladioli, and carnation. These flowers are largely grown here to be old in outside markets where they find many takers for these blooming flowers of Kashmir Valley. Other prominent vegetation of this area includes Abies Pindrow, Pinus Griffthii, and Deodara.


It is a paradise for nature lovers with the wildlife and avian life found in its forests. The thick jungles of Anantnag district have natural habitat for Hangul, Leopard, Brown Bear, Musk Deer, and Himalayan Mouse among others. Kashmir Rollers, Jungle Crows, Blue rock pigeon, and Snow Cock are the main birds found in these forests of Anantnag.

Water Bodies in Anantnag

As a land of numerous natural springs, there is no dearth of water bodies in Anantnag. There are famous springs of Verinag from where the River Jhelum originates, Kokernag spring, Achabal spring, Martand, Vasaknag, Malik Nag, and Nag Bal. Anantnag also has the highest number of streams or Nallas.


These include Sandran, Arpath, Brengi, and Lidder. Lidder is the most significant stream in Anantnag. It is fed by Sheshnag Lake and Kolohai stream. It helps to irrigate the majority of portion in this district. Brengi is also a bigger stream in Anantnag district.

Climate of Anantnag

The climate of Anantnag district is Moderate cum Mediterranean type. It is due to the presence of Pir Panjal Ranges in its South direction and Kakakoram towards its east. Northern parts of Anantnag are quite flattened as compared to rest of the region. As such, these parts are less cool than the eastern hilly regions of district. Otherwise, it has mildly cold temperature for most part of the year. Its weather is quite unpredictable as well. There can be sudden snow fall in winters and high discrepancies in average temperature of the city. The snow and rain accounts for annual precipitation in the region at around 916 mm. This phenomenon takes place for about 70 days in a year in Anantnag.


Summers in Anantnag are mild with high humidity and scanty rainfall. The hottest month here is July but the nights are always cool here due to high altitudes. The maximum recorded temperature during summers in Anantnag is 33 C. The district has more temperate climate in summers.

Winters are very chilly in Anantnag when temperatures fall down tremendously. Snowfall is also heavy during these months lasting from mid of November to mid of February or beginning of March. The lowest recorded temperature during winters is -11 C in Anantnag. It is enough to give chilly shivers to anyone.


Kashmir Valley is surrounded by high mountains on all sides. As such, Monsoons could not touch the prominent regions of valley including Anantnag. The district has rainfall all through the year instead of regular monsoon period as occurring in rest of the country. Spring season here has highest rainfall which becomes scanty in autumn while it is moderate in winters and summers.

Important Geographical Data of Anantnag

Area: 2917 sq km
Forest area: 2068 sq km
Net Irrigated area: 467.98 sq km
Soil: Medium to fine texture Hapludalf soil, Dark Brown Clay loam
Average annual Rainfall: 916 mm