SRINAGAR: The crucial self-enumeration phase for Census 2027 commenced on Monday in the challenging, snow-bound areas of Jammu and Kashmir and across the entire Union Territory of Ladakh. This initiative allows residents in these remote regions to digitally submit their demographic information before the physical enumeration process begins.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Director Census Operations for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, announced at a press conference in Leh that the self-enumeration window for the snow-affected regions of Jammu and Kashmir will remain open from August 17 to August 31. Sharma specified that out of the 20 districts within Jammu and Kashmir, 16 have been identified with partially snow-bound areas where this self-enumeration will take place.
He further elaborated that the entire Union Territory of Ladakh has been designated as snow-bound, meaning the self-enumeration exercise will encompass all its areas. A significant aspect of this phase is the geo-fencing mechanism, designed to ensure that residents must be physically present within the designated snow-bound areas to successfully submit their census details via the self-enumeration portal. This measure prevents individuals residing elsewhere from submitting data on behalf of those in the remote regions.
Director Sharma provided a clear example, stating that a resident of Gurez who might currently be in Srinagar or Jammu would be unable to access the census website to file details from those cities. The application enforces geo-reference restrictions, requiring the individual to be physically present in Gurez to complete the information submission. This ensures data accuracy and relevance to the specific geographical locations.
Following the self-enumeration period, enumerators and supervisors are scheduled to conduct physical household visits from September 1 to September 30 to record population details directly. This blended approach aims to maximize data collection efficiency and accuracy in regions with varying accessibility.
Population enumeration for the rest of the country, including the plains of Jammu and Kashmir, is slated to occur later, adhering to the national schedule which has the main enumeration planned for February 2027. This staggered approach allows for tailored logistical planning based on regional conditions.
Information available indicates that the self-enumeration facility will be accessible to residents of 1,115 villages and three municipalities situated in the snow-bound, non-synchronous areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Doda district will see the highest number of such villages and municipalities, with 305, followed by Kishtwar with 158 villages. Other districts with a significant number of participating villages include Baramulla (93), Ramban (88), Udhampur (79), Kulgam (66), Anantnag (55), Kupwara (49), Reasi (49), Kathua (48), Pulwama (32), Shopian (32), Bandipora (28), Poonch (24), Ganderbal (seven), and Budgam (five).
The municipalities identified within these snow-bound, non-synchronous areas are Uri, Gulmarg, and Kishtwar. The commencement of this self-enumeration phase is a critical step in the decennial census process, particularly in regions where logistical challenges due to weather conditions are substantial. The data collected will be vital for policy-making, resource allocation, and understanding the demographic landscape of these remote areas.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
