JAMMU AND KASHMIR GEOGRAPHY

ITS IMPEDIMENTS AND PROSPECTS

DEFINITION

ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY IN THE SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF J&K

IMPEDIMENTS

PROSPECTS

SUMMING UP

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.“

DEFINITION OF GEOGRAPHY

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.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

IMPEDIMENTS

PHYSICAL FEATURES

AREA OF J&K

KNOW YOUR LAND & PEOPLE

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.

KNOW YOUR LAND & PEOPLE

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.

KNOW YOUR LAND & PEOPLE

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.

IMPEDIMENTS

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.

REMOTENESS AND ISOLATION

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.

CONNECTIVITY

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.  

ROAD CONNECTIVITY AS ON 2007-08SNO. DISTRICT

NO.OF VILLAGES CONNECTED THROUGH

ROADSNO. OF VILLAGES NOT

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

INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

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.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO NATURAL DISASTERS

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.

MINERAL EXTRACTION

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.

PROSPECTS

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

HYDEL POWER

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.

GEO-THERMAL ENERGY

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.

AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY

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.

TOURISM

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.

HORTICULTURE

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.

FRUITS EXPORTED(UNIT METRIC

TONNES)2003-04 2004-05 % INCREASE

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(UNIT METRIC TONNES) 2004-05 2005-06 % INCREASE

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

SERICULTURE

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.

LIVESTOCK SECTOR

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.

HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFTS INDUSTRY

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).

SUMMING UP…………