Jammu and Kashmir natural resources

2. ‘If there is any heaven on earth,
it is here in Kashmir’
Sheikh Sadia
‘If there is any heaven on earth,
it is here in Kashmir’
Sheikh Sadia

4.  Geologists believe that about 10 crore years have passed when
Kashmir Valley which was once a lake called Satisar, the lake of
goddess Sati, came into its present form.
 Historians say that Kashmir Valley was originally known as
Kashyapmar or the abode of Kashyap Rishi.
 The territories of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Gilgit form the
State of Jammu and Kashmir.

5. The seasons are marked with sudden change and the year is divided into six
seasons of two months each.
Spring March 15 to May 15.
Summer May 15 to July 15.
Rainy Season July 15 to Sept. 15.
Autumn Sept. 15 to Nov. 15.
Winter Nov. 15 to Jan 15.
Ice Cold Jan. 15 to March 15.
The seasons are marked with sudden change and the year is divided into six
seasons of two months each.
Spring March 15 to May 15.
Summer May 15 to July 15.
Rainy Season July 15 to Sept. 15.
Autumn Sept. 15 to Nov. 15.
Winter Nov. 15 to Jan 15.
Ice Cold Jan. 15 to March 15.
Geographically, j& k is divided into 4 zones – the mountainous and semi-
mountainous plain known as Kandi belt, hills including Siwalik ranges, mountains of
Kashmir valley and Pir Panjal range, and Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil.
Geographically, j& k is divided into 4 zones – the mountainous and semi-
mountainous plain known as Kandi belt, hills including Siwalik ranges, mountains of
Kashmir valley and Pir Panjal range, and Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil.
The climate of the state varies from tropical in Jammu plains to semi-arctic cold in
Ladakh with Kashmir and Jammu mountainous tracts having temperate climatic
conditions.
The climate of the state varies from tropical in Jammu plains to semi-arctic cold in
Ladakh with Kashmir and Jammu mountainous tracts having temperate climatic
conditions.

6. “Paradise on Earth”
“Flora and fauna”
“Horticulture and floriculture”
“Tourist destination”

9. Kashmir basin
65%mountanious area
35% flat area
Av. altitude ∼ 1580 m ; Area ∼ 5000 km2

10. Main Agriculture Crops:
Rice, Wheat, Maize
Main Horticulture Crops:
Apples, Cherry, Pears, Peaches, Apricots, Walnuts, Almonds and Saffron
Aromatic & Medicinal Plants:
Main Mineral Reserves:
Magnetite, Lime Stone, Bauxite, Lignite, Gypsum, Marble, Dolomite,
Quartzite

11. Vast Mineral Reserves
Good Hydrology
Enormous Forests
Agriculture Including :
I. Horticulture
ii. Sericulture
iii. Floriculture
iv. Cultivation of Aromatic &
Medicinal Plants.
Handicrafts
Tourism
I. Cultural
ii. Pilgrimage
iii. Adventure
Serene Environment for Precision work Craftsmanship
Skilled Human Resource
Work Force : 26 Lacks

12. Hydel Power Potential : 20,000 MW
Horticulture
Apple : 10,93,275 MT
(57% of Country’s production)
Pear : 40,250 MT
Cherry :7,365 MT
Walnut : 152.55 MT
(6th Largest Producer in the World, 92% of National Production)
Almonds : 13,473 MT
Saffron :15 MT
Apricot :11,975 MT

13. Mineral Million MT
Lime Stone 3355
Gypsum 95.83
Bauxite 8.6
Marble 35
Magnetite 7.00
Dolomite 12.63
Lignite 7.25
Quartzite 16.55
Coal 1.3

14. A Forest
B Non-Agricultural Land
C Barren & Uncultivable Land
D Permanent Pastures & Other Grazing Land
E Fallow Land Including Current Fallows
F Net Area Sown
G Area under Fruit Crops

15. The state is home to about 75 species of mammals, besides several sub-species,
belonging to 54 genera, 21 families and 8 orders.
Snow leopard, common leopard, brown bear, Himalayan black bear, hangul,
Bharal, red fox, markhor, musk deer, yellow-throated marten, shapu and
langurs.
Golden eagles, lammergeiers, black eagles, kestrels, hobbys, griffon vultures,
Cinnamon sparrows, the black and yellow grosbeak.

16. The flora of Himalayan Kashmir comprises about 3,054 species. About 880 species
are found in Ladakh. The flora of the Jammu district comprises 506 species.
Chinar locally called "The Booune" in the Kashmiri language, Chinar tree holds a
special place in Kashmiri civilization.

18. Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary 6 km from Jammu city, occupies an area of 31 km2
.About 8
mammal species of and 15 species of .
Kishtwar High Altitude National Park 248 km Jammu city, occupies an area of 400. The
park contains 15 species of mammals including the musk deer, Himalayan black and brown
bear, hangul, markhor, goral, langur, leopard, etc
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary 26 km from Jammu, spread over an area of 33 km2
. There are
about 8 mammal species in the area. The main species are leopard, wild boar, rhesus
monkey, goral, grey langur etc.

19. Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary has been named after the two lakes located on each
corner of the sanctuary. This sanctuary comprises an area of 98 km2
and located about 56
kms from the Jammu city.
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary is situated right on the banks of Ujh river, north of Jasrota
village. This wildlife sanctuary is spread over an area of 10 km2
. The entire area is mainly
dominated by bamboo plantations.
Dachigam National Park 22 kms. from Srinagar. Dachigam National Park forms almost half
of the Dal Lake's catchment area and is one of the famous natural reserves in India. This
park covers an area of 141 km2
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve 48 kms. to its south-west of Srinagar. This reserve covers an
area of 180 km2
. The sanctuary is of particular interest to ornithologists. The area holds a
rich cover of vegetation and consists of conifers which account for over 90% of area.

20. Mean ambient temperature of three different regions i.e. Jammu,
Kashmir and Leh of J&K state.
Source: Division of Agronomy, SKUAST-K, 2011

21. On average, Kashmir valley has shown a rise of 1.45°C while Jammu region has
shown a rise of 2.32° C over the last almost two decades.
Jammu & Kashmir with significant increase in maximum temperature by
0.05°C /year in Kashmir Valley and minimum temperature in Jammu region by
0.08°C /year.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

22. As per the testimonies of people across Kashmir, the quantity of
snowfall in Kashmir has clearly reduced over the last few decades.
In April 2007, Kashmir witnessed unprecedented heat for the
season. cherry, plums, peach and apricot develop prematurely. On
11 May 2007 resulted in the grapes being cut off from their trees,
resulting in 70% crop loss.
Fifty years ago, Kashmir’s forest cover was 37 % of its total surface
area, which has today reduced to only 11 %

23. Area under saffron cultivation has declined from 5,707 hectares in 1997-98 to
3,010 hectares in 2006-07.
Productivity of the saffron has decreased from 16 Mt to 8.5 Mt with the average
crop yield of 2.32 Kg/Ha
Implementation of National Mission on Saffron for economic revival of J&K
saffron, government is expected to increase the production of saffron to 5
Kg/Ha.
Climate change, adulteration, pollution are said to be causes of reduction of
saffron production.
J & k Agriculture Ministry

24. The study has analyzed seasonal and annual rainfall and rainy days at five
stations namely Srinagar, Kulgam, Handwara,Qazigund and Kukarnag to
decipher rainfall trends over the Kashmir Valley.

25. Kashmir Valley gets about 880 mm annual rainfall in about 60 rainy days.
The seasonal distribution of rainfall is 28%, 21%, 8% and 43% for pre-monsoon,
monsoon, post-monsoon and winter seasons, respectively.
Annual rainfall at four stations, namely Kulgam and Handwara (during the
period 1903–1982) and Qazigund and Kukarnag (during the period 1962–2002),
was found to be decreasing.
Srinagar station experienced a decreasing trend in annual rainfall during the
period 1903–1982, whereas it experienced an increasing trend during 1962–
2002 and also during 1901–2002

26.  Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir with over
65 % of its population depends on agriculture and allied sectors. These sectors
contribute around 27 % to the State's income.
 Rice, maize, wheat, pulses, fodder, oil seeds, potato and barley are the main crops of
the region.
 The farmers are now diversifying to cash crops such as flowers, vegetables, quality
seeds, aromatic and medicinal plants and mushrooms etc. round the year.
 Honey-bee keeping, fodder intensification
production of quality saffron, basmati rice,
rajmash, off-season vegetables, potatoes etc.
are also practiced in specific areas, belts and
clusters depending upon their agro-climatic suitability.

27.  Agriculture is the mainstay of more than 80% people in J&K
 Rice is the staple crop grown over an area of 37,400 acres with a
yield of about 2186 Kg/ha
 Wheat over an area of 11,6000 acres and yield is 1735 Kg/ha.
 Maize over an area of 30,3000 acres and yield is about 2005 Kg/ha
 Yield of Bajra is about 592 Kg/ha
 Yield of Pulses is about 464 Kg/ha

28.  The total area under Fruits is 205.08 ha with a
production of 1538.13 tones
 Area under Vegetables is 60.66 ha with a
production of 1023.65 tones
 Walnut is spread over an area of 103.02 ha
with a production of 152.55 tones
 Mushroom and honey sector is booming.
HorticultureHorticulture
Ministry of Agriculture, GOI

29.  State is facing the low productivity of all agricultural crops and there is massive
deficit in its own production of food grains (40 %), oil seeds (70 %) and
vegetables (30 %).
 The net sown area of 7.52 lakh ha (2004-05) is 35 % of the reported area as
against national average of 46 %.
 Over 70 % of the Net Sown Area is under food crops and the area under fruits
is a little over 13 %.
 Dwindling water resources is a major challenge as only
42 % of the cultivated area is under irrigation.
 Hilly terrain puts limits to mechanical farming and
transportation of Products, especially horticulture
produce.

30.  Fragile soil in hilly areas is susceptible to soil erosion and a single cropping season is
available in temperate and high altitude areas.
 Net irrigated area in the region is just 24% and double and multiple cropping is
followed on a larger scale in the intermediate and warmer plain sub-tropical areas.
 Basmati rice and rajmash (pulses) are valuable cash crops of the region. Vegetables,
oil seeds, spices and condiments, aromatic and medicinal plants and fodder are also
grown in specific areas of the region.

31.  Jammu and Kashmir has decided to boost bee-keeping by setting up 10,000
colonies this year - not only to help increase honey production but also to get a
higher yield of fruits like apples, cherries and plums.
 The state agriculture department is exploring new ways to adopt, promote and
take up schemes to boost bee-keeping that will also generate employment.
 Jammu and Kashmir is among the largest fruit producing areas in Asia with
about 2.5 million tones of apples, pears, cherries, plums, almonds and others
produced last year.

32.  Earlier, agriculture was contributing 56 % to the state's GDP (Gross Domestic
Product) which is now reduced to only 26 %.
 The Jammu and Kashmir government targets to produce 40 lakh tones of fresh
and dry fruits in the state by 2014.
 J&K has earned the 2011 Horticulture Award for introducing professional
audit in the Horticulture Department.

33. Source: Digest of Statistics, Government of J&K, Srinagar

34. Animal husbandry plays a significant role as 0.13 % of gross domestic product
(GDP) of the state is contributed by this sector.
The available infrastructure for the production of fish in the state includes 18
state-owned trout hatcheries and 22 fish farms.
Sericulture is the traditional occupation for a large section of the population in
Jammu and Kashmir.
It is estimated that 25.28 thousand families were engaged in the extraction of
silk fiber in 1999-2000.

35. There has been a steady increase in the net irrigated area by different sources
(canals, tanks, wells and others) during the last fifty years, reaching 2.61 lakh in
1998-99.
Canal irrigation constitutes the largest single source of irrigation accounting for
93.75%. Tanks, wells and other miscellaneous sources contribute the rest.
Many small and medium-scale industries have come up both in the traditional
and new areas in the state.
With the government’s support in the form of loans and incentives to set up
industrial units, their number increased from 35,641 in 1995 to 42,808 in March
2001.

36. State Power Availability
(Kw/ha)
Foodgrain Productivity
(Kg/ha)
Punjab 3.50 4032
Haryana 2.25 3088
Uttar Pradesh 1.75 2105
West Bengal 1.25 2217
Uttaranchal 1.60 1712
Assam 0.80 1443
Kerala 0.80 2162
Himachal Pradesh 0.70 1500
Rajasthan 0.70 884
Jammu and Kashmir 0.70 1050
Chhattisgarh 0.60 799
Orissa 0.60 799
Present Level of MechanizationPresent Level of Mechanization
Ministry of agriculture,2005

37. Apple IndustryApple Industry
 75 % of the country’s apples production over an
area of 87,000 ha with annual production of
10,93,275 MT.
 Occupies 40% of area
 Varieties include Amri, American trel, Red
Delicious, White Dotted Red, Benoni, Cox’s Orange
Pippin
 Pear, Cherries, Walnuts, Almonds, Pine Nuts or
Chilgoza and Apricot.
 J&K generates Rs 2100 crore annual income from
fresh fruits, Rs 250 crore from dry fruits.

39. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is world’s expensive spice having value between Rs 1,20,000/
Kg. India ranks first in area and second in production only after Spain (Anon 2008,
IAI 2010).
Jammu and Kashmir state enjoys a monopoly in the cultivation of saffron in the
subcontinent and contributes almost 99 % of the national production of saffron.
India exported 5.5 MT of the world’s costliest spice (saffron) during 2008-09.
(Anon 2009, KF 2010).

40. Presently 2,928 ha area is under saffron cultivation with 48.49 q of production, in J & K.
One kg of good quality of dried saffron is obtained from nearly 80-85 kg of fresh flowers,
corresponding to about 1.15- 1.50 lakh flowers .
The overall cost of cultivation was estimated Rs 263138.82/ha for 9 years and net returns
comes to Rs 412709.83/ha respectively.
The overall benefit-cost ratio comes to 1:2.57 on sample farms under study.

41. The time of planting and harvesting are similar in the two regions, however, in Khorasan
the rate of corm sowing is more frequent and the planting depth is much higher than in
Kashmir.
The area under cultivation and production of saffron is increasing in Khorasan while in
Kashmir it is on decline.

42. No documented differences could be found between saffron of Khorasan and Kashmir,
except the shorter style along with stigma in Kashmiri saffron.
Presently, Iran with a production of more than 70% of the global saffron ranks first, while
India, which produces 7.0 t, ranks third.
No effort is being made either by the Government agencies or the research centers to
incite farmers to use irrigation to increase their yield in kashmir.

44. Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture,
Srinagar (J & K).2008

45. Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture,
Srinagar (J & K).2008

46. Mechanization of Costly cropMechanization of Costly crop
 Difficult to mechanize as the plant is small
and delicate
 Weeding & hoeing accounts for major
labour cost component (35% of the total
labour cost).
 All the major operations are carried out
manually using indigenous tools
 Ramba or Khurpi for weeding
 Tungru–small and large for hoeing
 Bel (spade) for movement of soil/opening
drain

47.  Public nurseries established at Allowpora and Konibal over an area of 5.70
ha at a cost of Rs 44.53 lacs
 80 vermicomposting units established at a cost of Rs. 24.00 lacs
 12 research trials involving 76 tons of inputs conducted by SKUAST
Kashmir at a cost of Rs.9.12 lacs
 10 Acres of land identified at Galander, Pampore for setting up of Quality
Control Lab and Spice Park
 Identification of beneficiaries under the Mission in progress
National Saffron MissionNational Saffron Mission

48. Mechanized in Europe and IranMechanized in Europe and Iran
Microclimatic conditions
Harvesting by hand supported by machines
Mechanization of installations

49. Vertical air column for separation
stigma from the other parts of flower

50. The land of Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with exquisite natural beauty. With the snow
clad mountaintops, exotic orchards, lush green pastures, alpine forests and many more,
the divine and delightful land of Jammu & Kashmir is a boon to the worldwide nature
lovers.

51.  Jammu and Kashmir ended 2011 Saturday with the visit of a record number of nearly
12 million tourists and pilgrims to the state.
 On Dec 28, Vaishno Devi recorded, for the 1st time in its history, the visit of 10 million
pilgrims visiting the shrine, located in the foothills of Himalayas, about 50 km north of
Jammu, in a single calendar year.
 The arrival of nearly 1.18 crore visitors to J&K gave a very significant boost to the
economy of the state.
 The Dal lake and Wular lake, the Mughal Garden, Nishat Garden and Shalimar Garden,
house boats and Shikaras, the farms of saffron and the orchards of Apples, the yak
and Pashmina shawls are some of the most recognized and unique symbols of Jammu
and Kashmir.
J AND K GOVT.

52. Dal Lake(18-22 km2
) Nagin Lake Manasbal Lake(2.81 km2
)
Mansar Lake Wular Lake(16×9.6 km2
)

54. Originally, there may have been as many as 500 gardens created centuries ago, though
today, only a few survive.
Floating gardens are actually built up earth works in the shallows of Dal Lake. By raising
beds above the water level, these crops enjoy constant irrigation, and produce huge
harvests .
The floating gardens feature some fascinating examples of cucumbers, tomatoes or even
melons.

55. According to J & K state pollution control board the rate of sewage
discharge into the dal lake is 348 liters/ sec resulting in deposition
of 12 tones of nitrate, ammonical nitrogen and phosphorus per
month.
About 111 tons of Phosphorus and 380 tons of nitrogen are
estimated to flow into the lake from point sources and 4.5 tons of P
and 18.1 tons of N from non-point sources.
The extend of dead weed is 40-50 thousand tones annually.

56. Wular Lake , Idia's largest fresh water lake is located in Bandipore, spread over nearly
200-km2
Wular Lake is an important fish habitat, the main species being the Common carp, rosy
barb, mosquitofish , Nemacheilus sp., Crossocheilus latius, and various snowtrout and
contributes about 60% of the fish yield of the Kashmir Valley.
This lake in is grossly encroached by farmers who convert vast catchment area into
agricultural land. Besides, pollution from fertilizers and animal waste, hunting pressure
on waterfowl and migratory birds and weed infestation has led to problems

57. State-wise sewage generation of Class-I Cities and Class-II Towns
CPCB2009-10

59. Unrestricted Peak Power Demand MW 2120
Peak Demand met MW 1458
Peak Deficit MW 662
Peak Deficit % 31.23%

60. Solar energy
The percent share of electricity for agricultural consumption is 21.97% in India and 3.48% in J&K
state.
If only 10% of solar radiation (1 kW/m2
surface) is harnessed in the state at 10% conversion
efficiency, 0.01% surface area of total geographical area has the potential to generate 2.22 × 10⁹ MW
energy, which will be sufficient for domestic energy requirement.
In Ladakh, solar radiation is one of the most abundant natural resources, with annual solar
radiation of 2149 kW h/m2 and potential of 10000 MW of energy.

61. Biomass and biogas technology
 The potential of agricultural residues alone is estimated as 480 metric ton with
residues from food grains contributing about 100 metric ton.
 About 70% of the population in J&K state derives its livelihood from the agriculture
sector and use firewood and cattle dung cakes for cooking as fuel.
 The cost of providing kerosene, LPG or
even firewood in J&K is 20-25% more than
what it is in other parts of the country,
and high transportation costs is one of the
prime reasons for the differential.
 Availability of 104.73 lakh livestock in the
state, which reflects vast potential for
biogas generation .

62. Geo-thermal energy
It is estimated that around 40 MW of power can be obtained from this source and
exploitation of the same can ease the power situation in j and k.
Some estimates suggest potential of as much as 40 MW in Puga Valley of Southeast Ladakh

63. Hydroelectric power (hydel power)
 The estimated hydropower potential in the state is more than 20000 MW, of which
projects for 16200MW have already been identified and able to develop a power
1474.65 MW.
 The major hydroelectric power plants in the state are Uri Hydroelectric Dam (480 MW),
Dulhasti (390 MW), Salal (690 MW) and Baglihar (450 MW)
 In J&K state, diesel based power plants are Bemina (5.00 MW), Kamah (0.06 MW), Leh
(2.18 MW) and Upper Sindh (1.7 MW). Two gas-based power plants in the state have
been installed in Pampore namely Pampore Gas Turbine Station I&II of 75 and 100
MW capacity respectively.

64. Name of the basin Hydro potential
Identified (MW) Developed (MW)
Jhelum 3560 732.60
Chenab 10360 724.50
Indus 2060 8.55
Ravi 220 9.00
16200 1474.65
Source: JKEDA

65. Jammu & Kashmir India
Electricity consumption for agricultural
purposes (KW h)
145.90 90292.40
Total electricity consumption (KW h) 4188.54 417886.9
Percent share of agricultural consumption, % 3.48 21.97
Source: Agricultural statistics at a glance, GOI, 2007

66.  As a state with unique features and a strategic location, the speedy
development of Jammu and Kashmir needs an integrated approach.
 State finance should also receive proper attention in order to ensure better
fiscal management.
 A sound policy should be devised to exploit the potential in the sectors of
strength.
 The development of potential sectors such as horticulture, handloom and
handicrafts, biotechnology, tourism and information technology will have
strong inter-linkages with the rest of the sectors.
 In a nutshell, sound policy and good governance can lead the state of Jammu
and Kashmir to a faster development path.