Subdivisions
The Union Council is subdivided into the following areas: Bandi Sararha, Banota, Chamiali, Khokhriala, Larri, Sialkot, Maseena Kalan and Pattan Kalan, Kottlion. Dhand Kheter (Bandi Chamiali), a mountainous area located in Abbottabad District, is the largest village of Galiyat/Circle Bakot located approximately 40 km from Abbottabad on the Abbottabad-Muzaffarabad Road. A lush green valley full of pines, this place is often termed as the most peaceful place in Pakistan. It is free from the hustle and bustle of city life located approximately 7,000 feet above sea level.
Dhand Kheter (Pattan Kalan) is located on the eastern edge of Abbottabad district, where it forms part of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's border with Muzaffarabad District, Kashmir. It also borders the following Union Councils within Abbottabad district: Kukmang and Boi to the north, Kuthwal to the west, Beerangali and Nambal to the south. The people of Dhand Kheter are all Muslims. Most of the people of residing here belong to the Qureshi, Gujjar, and Abbasi tribes. The mother tongue of the people of Dhand Kheter is Hindko.
The highest peak in Abbottabad District, Thandiani, is located in Dhand Kheter, and is located in the south of Abbottabad District at 34°13'60N 73°22'0E[ and is about 31 kilometres from Abbottabad city in the foothills of the Himalayas. To the east, beyond the Kunhar River, lies the fabulous snow covered Pir Panjal mountain range of Kashmir. Visible to the north and northeast are the mountains of Kohistan and Kaghan. To the northwest are the snowy ranges of Swat and Chitral. The hills of Thandiani are about 9,000 feet (2,750 m) above sea level. The nearest villages are Inderseri, Chattri, Okhrila, Khokhriala, Lari, Banota, Sialkot and Dhand Kheter.
Thandiani was originally granted as a lease to some members of the famous Battye family, in British India, who were dynamic Christian missionaries and also found in civil and military service, and who produced such famous scions as Wigram Battye and Quintin Battye. Subsequently, the Battyes gifted the location to the church authorities, where a Sanatorium and various other facilities were set up during the British rule, mostly for the convenience of missionaries, Anglican church personnel and officers stationed at the neighboring cantonment of Abbottabad. It contained some private European houses, a camping ground, a small bazaar, and the small seasonal church of St Xavier in the Wilderness, which were occupied only during the summer months.
Thandiani is characterized by excellent weather and lush greenery in the summer months, and snow-covered vistas and hills in the winter. Many tourists from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and all over Pakistan visit the area, especially during the summer. Being at a high altitude, with attractive scenery and several fine hiking trails into the forests and other nearby locations, it is a very attractive tourist destination. The mountains around Thandiani are still quite thickly forested, compared to most other hill stations in the locality, which have suffered some degree of deforestation over time. The local wildlife includes leopards, monkeys, several kinds of pheasants and the increasingly rare flying squirrels and Pine Marten, to name a few.
Winters in Thandiani are extreme, because of its location above sea level. Winter here lasts from October to April. April tends to be quite pleasant as the climate is temperate. The summer season is very pleasant and humid the temperature rises maximum to 25-30 degree, due to which it is a good picnic spot. From mid July to mid August people enjoy the fifth season, monsoon, which provides relief after the hot months of May and June.
Farming is the main occupation of the people. The farming is done by oxen in the remote parts, but int the villages proper, e.g. miali, Pattan is ploughed by machinery. The two crops growing seasons are called rabi and kharaif. The major rabi crop grown here are potato and maize. The kharaif crop grown there is only wheat, in very small area of village. There are two main purpose of this crop: for cattle, and for grain. Some vegetables are also found here like turnips, radishes, peas, pumpkins, beans and mustard. Fruits like pears, apples, black grapes, grapes, figs, peaches, damson plums, mulberries, wild figs, lemons, apricots, and cherries are found in abundance in Dhand Kheter.
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. Most of the area of these hilly hamlets is covered with trees. Peaks are covered with evergreen trees including pine, walnut, oak and maple trees. Herbs, shrubs, wild flowers and thorny bushes can be seen in abundance. Goats and other pet animals graze the pastures. Wood is the primary source of fuel and home construction. Wood is used as fuel, it is the primary source of fuel. Gas cylinder are also used as fuel but in very low quantity.
Public facilities • Government Boys High Secondary School (Chamiali) Established 1919 • Government Boys High Secondary School (Chamiali, Kanthiali, Pattan Khurd) • Government Boys Middle School (Sialkot, Dheri Sharif, Salol Bandi) • Government Girls Middle School (Bandi Sarara, Sialkot, Chamiali, Pattan) • Government Primary school (Dhand Kheter, Darviali, Riala Bandi, Khori, Sehri, Narwuchi, Kutla, Okhrila, Dheri Sharif, Salol Bandi, Kotlian(Boys),Kotlian(Girls) & Sialkot) • Police Post (Bandi Sarara) • Post Office (Chamiali, Pattan Kalan) • HOSPITAL. A newly re-constructed Basic Health Unit with residential accommodation for doctor and staff (Chamiali) • Picnic spot at the Salol Stream (Barian Bridge), Kunhar and Jhelum River (Pulhair Bridge), Thandiani & Dewansir. Pattan Kalan Union Council
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