Natural resources of jammu and kashmir.

 Natural Resources of jammu and kashmir. 

This Topic is important for Jkssb exams

Minerals. 

The mineral resources are the backbone of industrial and technological development of a country or region. Most of the minerals are finite , Exhaustable and non- renewable. 

Jammu and Kashmir has a limited mineral and fossil fuel Resources and much of these are concentrated in the jammu region. 

The first survey of minerals wealth in jammu and kashmir was made by a renowned geologist Mr. Middlemess in 1924 in collaboration with the government of Jammu and Kashmir. But an .concentrated mineral survey was taken in the year 1956, when systematic investigation began , as a consequence of which mineral exploitation  in jammu and kashmir was organised and developed. 

Coal: coal is the most important mineral which helps in the industrial development of a region. The major coal and deposits in jammu and kashmir are found at kalakote , jangalgali, Metka, Ladha, Chinkah, swalkote, Dhansal, Chakar, Moghla,  Sangarmarg and Kuli. 

Coal has also been discovered from Baramulla , Handwara and District of kashmir division.

It is pertinent to mention that jammu and kashmir has limited coal deposits. 

Lignite : it is an interior quality of coal and its deposits are known to occur in karewa  formations of jammu and kashmir. 

The major lignite deposits are found in Chowkibal, Nichahom, Shaliganga, Raithan, Tangmarg and Lolab valley. 

Gypsum : the Gypsum deposits occur in the areas of Assar and Batote in Ramban District and Boniyar in District baramulla. 

The industrail use of Gypsum is in the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers , plaster of paris , distempers and in the cement factories. 

Sapphire: in India, J&K is the only place in which sapphire deposits of good number are quality are found in paddar  near Sumjan in kistwar. The sapphire extracted in Deep blue in colour and it is known for its purity and transparency. It is considered to be of better quality than that of Sri lanka. Sapphire is mainly used in jewelry and has a high ornamental value. 

RUBY : in J&K ruby are found in association with sapphire bearing rocks in the areas of zankar, sumjan and paddar. 

Borax :  Large deposits of Borax are occur punga valley and Ladakh region. Borax is used in manufacturing of paper , ceramics, Glass , Soaps, Varnishes, Artificial Gems etc. 

Limestone : High quality Limestone both of cement grade and chemical grade occurs in abudance in Anantnag, pulwama, and Baramulla district of kashmir division. It is also found in Reasi , jangalgali, Balal, Bashali , kalakote , and khalsi (Ladakh). The limestone is used to manufacture of cement and lime. It is used as building stones mortar. 

Copper: copper ores are found at Aishmuqam, sumbhar (Anantnag), Lashtial (Baramulla), handwara, Sumbal, Kangan and Lolab valley in the province of Kashmir. 

Copper is mostly used in the manufacture of electrical equipments such as wiring and motors. 

uranium : uranium is found in Ladakh 

Iron ore : iron ore deposits occur in Sharda (Karnah Tehsil), khrew, Haral (Handwara). Uri tehsil and Lolab valley of kashmir. 

In jammu division, thick beds of hematite have been located at khandii-Rajouri. 

Gold : Gold veins in conglomerate deposits have been found in areas of Drass, Suru and indus valley in the kargil and Leh District of Ladakh Union territory. 

Graphite : Graphite is used in the manufacture of lead pencils. It is found in Bararipura, Uri, Karnah, Malogam, Piran and kistwar. 

Sulphur : sulphur is found in the pugga valley of Ladakh union territory. In spring waters, it is found at Anantnag and khrew. 

Natural Gas and Petroleum : The natural gas has been been reported by ONGC in kashmir valley near silk factory,  (Srinagar). 

Various petroleum reserves have been noticed at Ram Nagar, Udhampur and Surinsar which prove that in near future oil and natural gas may be found in Jammu and kashmir. .