Namli Mera Union Council facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Namli Mera
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Location of Namli Mera (highlighted in red) within Abbottabad district, the names of the neighbouring districts to Abbottabad are also shown
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| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| District | Abbottabad |
| Tehsil | Abbottabad |
| Population
(2017 Census of Pakistan)
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| • Total | 17,851 |
Namli Mera is a town and a rural area located in the mountains of Abbottabad District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful scenery and friendly people.
Namli Mera is one of the 51 union councils in Abbottabad District. A union council is a local government area. Its name comes from its two largest villages, Namli and Mera. The main town is New Kalwan City. These villages are built on mountain ridges. They are about 20 kilometers from the city of Abbottabad. They are also near the foothills of Miranjani, which is the highest mountain peak in the district. A paved road connects Namli Mera to the main Abbottabad—Nathia Gali road. This road offers another way to reach Nathia Gali from Abbottabad. Namli Mera is about 3 kilometers from Bagnotar on the main road.
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Weather and Farming
Namli Mera is high up in the mountains. This means it has very cold winters that start in October. Summers begin in April and are warm and a bit humid. Temperatures can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. July and August bring the monsoon rains, which make the weather cooler and more pleasant.
Farming is the main job for most people here. In remote areas, farmers use oxen to plow their fields. In villages that are easier to reach, machinery is used. Farmers grow two main types of crops: rabi and Kharif crop. Rabi crops are planted in winter and harvested in spring. The main rabi crops grown are potatoes and maize (corn). Kharif crops are planted in summer and harvested in autumn. The only kharif crop grown here is wheat, but only in small amounts. This wheat is mostly used for cattle feed and for making grain.
You can also find various vegetables in Namli Mera. These include turnips, radishes, peas, pumpkins, beans, and mustard. Many fruits grow here too, such as pear, apple, black grapes, fig, peach, damson plum, mulberry, wild fig, lemon, apricot, and cherry. These fruits are often used by the families who grow them. This is because the local people might not know how to sell them in bigger markets.
Most of the land around these mountain villages is covered with trees. The mountain peaks have evergreen trees like pine, walnut, oak, and maple. You can also see many herbs, shrubs, wild flowers, and thorny bushes. Goats and other farm animals graze in the open fields.
Jobs and Local Economy
The main jobs for people in Namli Mera are farming and raising animals. Farmers usually grow only one crop per season. This is because the weather conditions do not allow for two crops. Raising animals is another important job. People keep cows, sheep, and goats for milk for their families. Bullocks (male cattle) are used to help with plowing fields.
Many people have moved to nearby towns to find work. Some work in towns, while others join the army or civil service. Hotels in nearby hill towns like Nathia Gali, Ayubia, and Murree also offer jobs. After some difficult times in Swat, Namli Mera is becoming more popular with tourists from other parts of the country.
Wood is the main source of fuel for cooking and heating homes. People go to the forests to cut trees for firewood. This is because there is no natural gas in Namli Mera. Some families who can afford it use LPG gas cylinders for cooking.
People of Namli Mera
Most people in Namli Mera are Muslim and belong to the Sunni group. About 90% of the population are from the Karlal (Sardar) tribe. Other tribes living in this area include Turks, Awan, Abbasi, and a few Mughals.
The main language spoken by the people of Namli Mera is Pahari (پہاڑی). This language is a bit different from Pothwari. Locals also speak and understand Hindko, Urdu, Pashto, and English. Older people in the area can also speak and understand Persian and Arabic.
Education
Namli Mera village has a very high literacy rate, meaning most people can read and write. The literacy rate is about 92%. Some even say it is as high as 99.99%! Both government and private schools provide education for the children. There are primary schools for boys and girls, and also Government Boys High School and Girls High School.
Several private schools are also available. Habib Public School, Abaseen Public School, and Model Public School are some of the oldest and most well-known schools in the village. Other private schools include Al-Falah Public School in Chanati and Iqra Public School in Upper Mera Kalan.
Tourism
Since the earthquake of 2005, tourists have started to visit Nathi Gali and nearby areas. These areas include Namli Mera, Kala Bagh, Thandiani, and Mushkpuri. You can reach Namli Mera from both Murree and Abbottabad, as it is about 32 kilometers from each city.
Miranjani (also called "Choki") is one of the most popular places to visit in Namli Mera. Miranjani is about 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) above sea level. There is an old path next to Miranjani that connects Nathia Gali to Thandiani. Along this path, you can find an old forest rest house from the British era. Locals call it Dagri Bangla. This building is in the middle of a thick forest. Its old style and remote location give it a mysterious feeling.
2005 Earthquake
On October 8, 2005, a strong earthquake hit the northern areas of Pakistan and Kashmir. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6. It caused a lot of damage to homes and led to many deaths. Aftershocks, which are smaller earthquakes that follow a larger one, were felt until December of that year.
