Jammu and Kashmir Geography - its impediments and prospects

1. ITS IMPEDIMENTS AND PROSPECTS

2.  DEFINITION
 ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY
IN THE SOCIO
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF
J&K
 IMPEDIMENTS
 PROSPECTS
 SUMMING UP

3. DEFINITION OF GEOGRAPHY
The word geography was invented by the ancient Greek
scholar Eratosthenes and literally means "writing
about the earth." The word ‘geography’ can be divided
into two parts -ge and graphy. Ge means the earth
and graphy refers to writing. A typical dictionary
definition reads, “ The science of the earth's physical
features, resources, climate, population, etc.“

4. Role of Geography
 Geography has strong and pervasive effects on economic and social
development.
 Geography plays an important role in economic prospects, national
integration, health conditions, and agricultural prospects.
 Geographical endowments present particular difficulties or opportunities
for economic activity. Any geographical challenge can be overcome with
sufficient effort and investment, but a difficult geography makes
development much harder.
Two simple facts suggest the magnitude of the economic impacts of
geography. Tropical countries have an average income per capita of just one-
third that of non-tropical countries. Likewise, landlocked countries have an
average income per capita of only one-third the income of countries with
access to the sea.

5. PHYSICAL FEATURES

6. PHYSICAL FEATURES
I M P E D I M E N T S

7. AREA OF J&K

8.  The J&K state is the northern most state of India situated
between 32.15 degree and 37.05 degree north latitude and 72.35
degree and 83.20 degree east longitude.
 The J&K is the 11th largest state of India having a geographical
spread of 101387 SqKms accounting for 3.20% of the total area of
the country.
 J&K ranks 19th most populous state of India having a population
of 101.44 lac souls (census 2001). The projected population of the
J&K state in the year 2007 was 118.72 lacs.
 The literacy rate of J&K is 55.52% with male literacy of 67% and
female literacy of 43% (census 2001) and as per BPL survey 2008
the literacy rate of J&K is 64.18 with male literacy of 72.32% and
female literacy of 55.35%.
 The State of J&K has 22 districts, 71 tehsils, 141 CD blocks, 2690
Panchayats, 6652 villages.

9.  Rice, maize and wheat are the major cereals of J&K. The Basmati rice of RS Pura
Tehsil of district Jammu is world famous for its taste and aroma.
 J&K is largest producer of Apple, Walnut, Almond and many other temperate dry
and fresh fruits.
 J&K holds number one position in saffron production in India.
 J&K is a major exporter of superior quality carpets, wooden art, embroiderical
clothes and many other valuable crafts.
 Leh is the largest district of J&K while Shopian is the smallest as per area.
 Jammu district is the most populous district of J&K while Leh is the least populous.
 Lotus is the state flower & Chinar is the State tree.
 Gujjars, Bakerwals and Gaddis are the major nomadic tribes of J&K.

10.  Gulmarg Gondola of J&K State is the highest Cable car project in the world.
 Drass sector of Ladakh region of J&K state is the 2nd coldest place in the world.
 Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar is the most picturesque sporting venue of the
country. This golf course is has been declared as the best Golf Course in India and
among the top ten in Asia.
 Estimated Hydro power potential of the state is 20,000 MW out of which only
around 2000 MW is realised till date. The Water resources of J&K are just like oil
reserves of Arab Countries.
 Dal Lake is the world famous water body and has been described as Lake Par-
Excellence by Sir Walter Lawrence. The Dal Lake is host to world famous Shikaras
and Houseboats which vie with each other with eye catching name surrounded by
Mughal Gardens.
 The Railway network in J&K State is the highest altitude railway network in India.

11.  REMOTENESS AND ISOLATION.
 CONNECTIVITY
 INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
 SUSCEPTIBILITY TO NATURAL DISASTERS.
 MINERAL EXTRACTION
 UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES
 CULTURAL HETEROGENITY AND LANGUAGE DIVERSITY
 SLOW PACE OF DEVELOPMENT.

12.  Landlocked, and located far from major markets. For J&K
high transport costs make it harder to turn to major markets
to compensate for the drawbacks of the small size of its
domestic markets.
 In J&K a small domestic market combines with large
distances from other markets to reduce competition and its
spur to efficiency and innovation.

13.  Geographical factors govern transport and means of communication.
 A well-developed network of roads is necessary not only for the
economic development of the state but for its social, political and
cultural development.
 It is required to exploit the rich natural wealth of the state, to develop
indigenous industries, to explore new markets for its products and to
promote tourism.
 Although there has been great progress in transport and communication
system in the state, man is still the beast of burden in some mountainous
areas. Inadequacies and imbalances in transport threaten to constrain
economic growth and the quality of life in both urban and rural India. In
J&K, road length per 100 sq. km of area is quite low as compared to the
other States in the country. In J&K the average is as low as 5.9 per 100 sq.
km., compared to all-India average of 73 per 100 sq.km.

14. ROAD CONNECTIVITY AS ON 2007-08
NO.OF VILLAGES
CONNECTED THROUGH NO. OF VILLAGES NOT
SNO. DISTRICT ROADS CONNECTED
1 Anantnag 547 58
2 Pulwama 489 49
3 Srinagar 157 11
4 Budgam 413 57
5 Baramulla 573 66
6 Kupwara 289 73
7 Leh NA NA
8 Kargil NA NA
9 Jammu 904 139
10 Udhampur 309 285
11 Doda 206 448
12 Kathua 456 100
13 Rajouri 177 200
14 Poonch 142 30
Total J&K 4662 1516

17.  Industries play a vital role in the development of an economy.
 Unfortunately, J&K has not been able to attract investments in
industries and remained as an industrially backward state.
 The state does not have a strong industrial base, because
geographical location of the state is such that the setting up of large
industries with a large capital base is not feasible, besides adverse
Environmental consequences.

18.  J&K has become susceptible to natural disasters such as snow
tsunami, earthquake,cloud burst and drought which typically affect
large parts of the population and economy.
 These events cause income volatility which creates additional
hardship as the poor are less able to withstand negative shocks to
their incomes.

21.  Most of the mineral deposits are located in border areas and in difficult
terrain. This increases their cost of transportation to the site of production.
 Second, the only means of transportation is by road since railways are not
well developed in the state. Therefore the state cannot compete with other
states like Rajasthan which with a well laid-out network of railways covering
almost all the mining sites.
 The fragile ecology of the state also inhibits setting up of large industries
based on minerals. The social costs involved, in the form of environmental
degradation, pollution, soil erosion, would be much higher than the benefits
which would accrue to the people.

22.  HYDEL POWER
 GEO-THERMAL ENERGY
 AGRO BASED INDUSTRY
 HORTICULTURE
 TOURISM
PILGRIMAGE
RECREATIONAL
EDUCATIONAL
 MINERALS
 MEDICINAL PLANTS
 LIVESTOCK SECTOR
 SERICULTURE
 HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFTS

23.  Energy is an important input for economic development. The state has a
potential to generate 20,000 mws of hydro power out of which only 16200
mws of hydel potential has been identified. Out of the identified potential
of 16200 mws only about 1500 mws have been harnessed which reveals that
90% of hydel potential is yet to be exploited. The state is a consuming one in
this regard as the potential available has not been fully exploited.
 Hydel power has a large potential in the state, most of the unexploited
potential is located in difficult/inaccessible areas. In such areas, the role that
small and medium hydro projects can play in meeting the local power
requirements by tapping water streams and rivers of small discharge cannot
be overlooked.
 Moreover, the development of this source of power would also avoid the
necessity for using other expensive fuels for which the state has to depend
on external sources. This would not only increase the availability of power to
meet the increasing demand of the consumers but also reduce the cost of
generating power.

24.  Puga valley in Ladakh has a high potential for geo-thermal energy.
The Geological Survey of India has done a preliminary survey of the
valley by drilling at various spots. Its results are awaited. However, it
is estimated that around 40 MW of power can be obtained from this
source and exploitation of the same can further ease the power
situation in the region.

25.  There is a tremendous scope for setting up agro-based industries in
the state since the raw material required is locally available.
 This will also provide additional employment for the local youth in
packaging, marketing and transportation of the products.

26.  The state has a world class potential in tourism which ranges from
historical and religious sites to its natural attraction.
 Tourism is one of the major industries of the State. This industry
provides employment to lakhs of people directly and indirectly .
 Private and public sector agencies provide necessary facilities to the
tourists and every year the number of tourists increases.

27.  Horticulture is another potential sector for income as well as
employment generation.
 Presently, some 20 lakh people are employed in this sector. Developing
this sector will not only increase direct employment but also increase
employment in related activities such as servicing of inputs, packaging,
transportation of fruits, etc.
 The State is endowed with varied agro climatic conditions for growing a
variety of horticulture crops like fruits and vegetables, plantation crops
and floriculture. High quality saffron is cultivated in Kashmir Valley at
Pampore, near Srinagar. Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice and
the most popular ingredient for colouring and flavouring butter, cheese,
confectionary and medicines.

28. FRUITS EXPORTED
(UNIT METRIC 2003-04 2004-05 % INCREASE
TONNES)
FRESH 7,62,401.1 8,20,412.06 7.07
DRY 12,892.5 1,39,77.22 7.76
TOTAL 7,75,293.6 8,34,389.28 7.08
FRUITS EXPORTED
2004-05 2005-06 % INCREASE
(UNIT METRIC TONNES)
FRESH 8,20,412.06 7,59,654.89 7.07
DRY 1,39,77.22 9,223.6 7.76
TOTAL 8,34,389.28 7,68,878.49 7.08

30.  Sericulture is one of the traditional occupations of Jammu and Kashmir.
 It is the only traditional univoltine belt in India, capable of producing silk
comparable to the fine qualities of raw silk imported in the international market.
 Kashmir introduced far better silk both in quality and quantity than Italy and Japan
60 years ago.
 The climate of Kashmir is temperate and congenial for rearing both univoltine and
bivoltine silkworm species for cocoon production.
 Developing sericulture can generate employment opportunities in the state.
 This sector has the potential of absorbing the entire family and becomes an
important source of employment for female workers who would otherwise remain
unemployed or under employed. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop this
sector through improved silkworm rearing, mulberry cultivation, etc.

31.  The development of livestock plays an important role in terms of providing
basic necessities. Livestock have formed an integral part of the farm
economy.
 Livestock provide income and employment to the weaker sections in the
rural areas.
 In Jammu and Kashmir animal husbandry constitutes a vital activity. From
the point of view of the farmer, nearly 0.13 per cent of gross state domestic
product (SDP) is contributed by this sector which is an important segment
in the over all 33 percent contribution by the agricultural sector.
 The state has a precious wealth of livestock in the form of cattle-
buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry etc.
 About 79 per cent of the population in Kashmir is based in rural areas and
depends largely on the income generated by the agricultural and animal
husbandry sector. Cattle and poultry amongst all livestock are considered
the most important tool for the development of rural economy.

32.  Handicrafts and handloom activities, in view of their peculiar
characteristics , are best suited to the state as they are less capital intensive
and provide scope for generation of large employment opportunities.
 Handicraft goods, especially Kashmiri Shawls and carpets, wood carving,
papier mashie, etc. are famous all over the country. Kani shawls made in
Budgam district of western Kashmir have won fame all over the world.
 During the year 2006-07 production of handicrafts was estimated to be of
Rs. 950 crore and handicraft goods valuing Rs. 785 crore were exported. This
sector employees a large Chunk of population, i.e. 3.45 lakhs in Jmuo890&K
State (2005-06).

33. 