Jammu & Kashmir : Natural Resources

Forests

The state of Jammu & Kashmir has been bestowed with plentiful natural resources which are of great economic value. Forests are one of the important resources of the state spreading in an area of 2,236 sq. kms which accounts for 20% of the total geographical area. The Jammu region comprises forests type ranging from tropical deciduous forests to temperate and coniferous forests. A rich variety of conifers such as fir pine, spruce, deodar, chir, kali, etc. are also found in the mountain ranges. Special care is being taken by the forest department of the state for the promotion of this resource and preservation of dwindling species.

Industries dependent on forests:

Match Industry - Poplar wood available in the valley of Kashmir is mainly used by this industry.

Sports goods - The wood of poplar and willow trees is used for making cricket bats and mulberry wood is used for making hockey sticks.

Sentonin Factory - In Baramula the facory manufactures sentonin from artimisia. This drug is used as a helminthecide which is exported to foreign countries also.

Rifle Half - Wrought Factory in Baramula manufactures walnut wood rifle-butts.

Rivers

The major rivers of the state are Jhelum, Indus, Tawi and Chenab. Jhelum is the main waterway of the valley of Kashmir whereas Tawi is the main waterway in Jammu region in addition to Chenab. The Indus is the main river in the Ladakh Region. There are some beautiful lakes found in the state, most of them are in the Kashmir Valley namely Dal, Wular and Anchar. These lakes provide irrigation facilities to the farmers apart from being tourist hotspots.

Minerals

The state has inadequate deposits of minerals and fossil fuels. A little reserves of natural gas are found in Jammu region, and bauxite and gypsum are found in Udhampur district. Other important minerals include limestone, coal, zinc and copper. The economy of the state largely depends on these natural resources.