Geography of J&K — Soils & Minerals
1. Introduction
- Soil: The naturally occurring thin layer of unconsolidated material on the earth's surface that has been influenced by parent material, climate, relief, and physical, chemical, and biological agents.
- Soils exhibit differences in physical and chemical characteristics — soil structure, soil temperature, soil texture, soil humus, soil water.
- Differences in soils arise from the mineral composition of parent materials and differing climatic conditions.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Zonal Soils: Broad latitudinal zones
- Inter-Zonal Soils: Resulting from special parent rocks
- Azonal/Immature Soils: New material on which soil forming processes have not had sufficient time
2. Soils of Jammu & Kashmir
- Under existing geo-climatic conditions, a wide range of soils — both of residual and alluvial origin — are found in J&K.
- J&K is essentially hilly and mountainous.
- Outer plain of Jammu with alluvial soils was deposited by running water and fluvial-glacial action.
- Hilly and mountainous areas are covered by residual soils.
- Upper reaches of Chenab and Jhelum and their tributaries are covered with alluvial and morainic soils.
3. Hill Soil
- Found in the entire region except the levelled plain of Jammu and the valley floor of Kashmir.
- Altitude: Above 700 m from sea level.
- Generally acidic in character; deficient in potash, phosphoric, and lime.
- Need regular manuring and fertilization for good yields.
- Devoted to cultivation of maize, pulses, orchards (almonds, apples, peach, pears), oilseeds, barley, wheat, oats, and fodder.
4. Alluvial Soils
- Deposited by the action of rivers.
- Found in river channels, floodplains, estuaries, lakes, and fans at the foot of mountains.
- Includes all consolidated fragmented material from coarsest gravels and sands down to finest clay and silt-sized particles.
- Most productive soils of the region, found mainly in:
- Jammu-plain
- Valley floor of Kashmir
- Narrow river terraces along tributaries of Chenab, Jhelum
CLASSIFICATION OF ALLUVIAL SOILS
- Old alluviums (Bhangar): Lie above banks of rivers; generally free from floods.
- New alluviums (Khadar): Relatively coarse in texture; contain more sand than Bhangar; frequently inundated.
IN THE VALLEY OF KASHMIR
- Largely devoted to paddy, maize and orchards.
- In Jammu plain — wheat, gram, pulse, paddy, mustard, barley, sugarcane, oilseeds, potato, berseem, vegetation, and fodder crops.
SALINE AND ALKALINE SOILS
- Found in Jammu plain in areas of canal and tube-well irrigation (Intra-Zonal saline soils).
- Become useless and unproductive.
- Reclamation methods: Mechanical and chemical devices; flushing salts; removal of top layer; application of farmyard manure, gypsum, sulphur; cultivation of green manuring crops (dhancha, sani, berseem, legumes); plantation of trees.
- Rice, lucerne, and barley can withstand saline and alkaline formations to some extent.
5. Karewa Soil (Wudar)
- Karewas are fresh-water (fluviatile and lacustrine) deposits found as low flat mounds or elevated plateaus.
- Found in:
- Valley of Kashmir
- Kishtwar and Bhaderwah tracts of Jammu Division
IMPORTANT KAREWA LOCATIONS
- Kulgam, Shopian, Badgam, Qazigund, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Baramulla, Laithpora, Chandhara, Pampore, Bijbihara, Avantipora, Islamabad (Anantnag), Mattan, Tral, Ganderbal
COMPOSITION & USES
- Composed of fine, silty clays with sand bouldry gravel.
- Coarse detritus restricted to peripheral parts; finer variety towards central parts.
- Enormous agricultural potential.
- Commercial crops: Saffron, almond, apples, walnut, peaches, pears, cherry, plum.
- Pampore Karewa is famous worldwide for saffron cultivation.
- Soil erosion and depleting soil fertility are major problems.
6. Classification of Soils Based on Agriculture
LOCAL SOIL CLASSIFICATION
| Soil Type | Description | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Gruti | Clayey Soil; high water retention | Rice |
| Behil | Loamy Soil; rich humus; great natural fertility | Paddy |
| Sekil | Sandy Loam; lower edges of Karewas | Rice (with irrigation) |
| Dazanlad | Sandy Silt; water turns red when standing | High-yielding rice |
| Nambal | Peaty Soil; near Jhelum, Wular, Mansbal, Anchar lakes | Rape-seed, mustard, maize, oats, pulses, fodder |
| Tand | Mountainous Soil; reclaimed from forests | Maize, pulses, fodder |
| Zabelzamin | Alkaline Soil; unproductive unless treated | — |
7. Other Soil Types
OTHER LOCAL SOIL TYPES
- Surhazmin — Vegetable Soil
- Lemb — Tracts served by a spring
- Radh — Floating garden soil
- Shath — Sandy soil alongside rivers
- Tads — Stony and gravelly soil
- Kharzamin — Acidic or saline soil patches
BROAD CLASSIFICATION
- Hapludalfs: Soils developed on high table Karewa lands
- Ochraqualfs: Soils developed on valleys on recent alluvial formations
8. Soils of Ladakh
- Unique and have largely mechanical origin.
- Highly weathered rocks under mechanical impact of insolation and frosting result in fine-grained, light-coloured soils.
- Deficient in humus but rich in potassium, nitrate, and phosphate.
- Give excellent agricultural returns in tracts where irrigation water is available.
- On river terraces of Indus and its tributaries, soils are of alluvial nature.
- Cultivation: vegetables, grim (barley), wheat, small millets, pulses, fodder, apricot, and orchards.
9. Mineral Resources
FIRST SURVEY
- First survey of mineral wealth was made by renowned geologist Mr. Middlemiss in 1924.
- Intensive mineral survey was taken up in 1956.
- Department of Geology and Mining J&K established in 1960.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
- Mines and Minerals Development and Regulations Act, 1957
- Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 — for Major Minerals
- J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1962 — for Minor Minerals
- Mines and Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988
KEY MINERAL OCCURRENCES
| Mineral | Location |
|---|---|
| Coal | Kalakot, Metka, Moghla |
| Lignite | Nichahama |
| Sapphire | Padder Valley (Kishtwar District) |
| Graphite | Baramulla |
| Gold | Drass, Suru, Indus rivers, Sonamarg |
| Sulphur | Puga Valley |
| Gypsum & Limestone | Widespread |
| Dolomite | Rajouri, Reasi (used for refractory bricks) |
| Uranium | Ladakh Region |
USES OF LIMESTONE
- Cement
- Calcium Carbide
- Quicklime
- Bleaching Powder
- Glass
- Paper
- Paints
10. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. Karewa soils are also known as:
- A) Bhangar
- B) Khadar
- C) Wudar
- D) Gruti
Q2. The soil ideal for paddy cultivation in the Kashmir Valley is:
-
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- A) Gruti
- B) Behil
- C) Sekil
- D) Tand
Q3. Pampore is famous for the cultivation of:
- A) Apple
- B) Saffron
- C) Walnut
- D) Almond
Q4. The first survey of mineral wealth in J&K was conducted by:
- A) Mr. Middlemiss
- B) Walter Lawrence
- C) M.A. Stein
- D) Godwin-Austin
Q5. The Department of Geology and Mining J&K was established in:
- A) 1956
- B) 1960
- C) 1962
- D) 1988
Q6. Sapphire is found in which valley?
- A) Liddar Valley
- B) Padder Valley
- C) Sind Valley
- D) Lolab Valley
Q7. Uranium deposits have been found in:
- A) Jammu Region
- B) Ladakh Region
- C) Kashmir Valley
- D) Poonch
Q8. Old alluvial soils are known as:
- A) Bhangar
- B) Khadar
- C) Karewa
- D) Gruti
Q9. New alluvial soils are known as:
- A) Bhangar
- B) Khadar
- C) Karewa
- D) Gruti
Q10. The soil that turns red in colour when water stands in the field is:
- A) Gruti
- B) Dazanlad
- C) Sekil
- D) Nambal
Q11. Peaty soils found near Jhelum and Wular Lake are locally called:
- A) Gruti
- B) Nambal
- C) Tand
- D) Zabelzamin
Q12. Dolomite is used in the preparation of:
- A) Cement
- B) Refractory bricks
- C) Glass
- D) Paper
Q13. Coal deposits in J&K are found at:
- A) Kalakot, Metka, Moghla
- B) Nichahama
- C) Puga Valley
- D) Sonamarg
Q14. Soils developed on high table Karewa lands are called:
- A) Hapludalfs
- B) Ochraqualfs
- C) Gruti
- D) Behil
Q15. The soil that has high water holding capacity (51%-61%) is:
- A) Alluvial Soil
- B) Mountain Meadow Soil
- C) Karewa Soil
- D) Hill Soil
11. Summary: Soils & Minerals at a Glance
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Old Alluvium | Bhangar |
| New Alluvium | Khadar |
| Clayey Soil | Gruti |
| Loamy Soil | Behil |
| Sandy Loam | Sekil |
| Sandy Silt | Dazanlad |
| Peaty Soil | Nambal |
| Mountainous Soil | Tand |
| Alkaline Soil | Zabelzamin |
| First Mineral Survey | Mr. Middlemiss (1924) |
| Geology & Mining Dept. | Established 1960 |
| Sapphire | Padder Valley (Kishtwar) |
| Coal | Kalakot, Metka, Moghla |
| Gold | Drass, Suru, Indus rivers, Sonamarg |
| Dolomite | Rajouri, Reasi (Refractory bricks) |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Karewa: Fluviatile and lacustrine deposits; elevated tableland; saffron cultivation
- Behil: Loamy soil ideal for paddy
- Dazanlad: Sandy silt; water turns red when standing
- Nambal: Peaty soil near lakes
- Bhangar: Old alluvium
- Khadar: New alluvium
- First Mineral Survey: Mr. Middlemiss (1924)
- Dept of Geology & Mining: Established 1960
- Sapphire: Padder Valley, Kishtwar
- Coal: Kalakot, Metka, Moghla
- Gold: Drass, Suru, Indus rivers, Sonamarg
- Dolomite: Rajouri, Reasi — refractory bricks
- Uranium: Ladakh Region
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Soils & Minerals of J&K)
Q1. Karewa soils are also known as:
Correct Answer: C. Karewa soils are also known as Wudar. They are fresh-water fluviatile and lacustrine deposits found as low flat mounds or elevated plateaus.
Q2. The soil ideal for paddy cultivation in the Kashmir Valley is:
Correct Answer: B. Behil is a rich loam of great natural fertility, ideally suited for paddy cultivation. It has high humus content which enriches soil fertility.
Q3. The first survey of mineral wealth in J&K was conducted by:
Correct Answer: B. The first survey of mineral wealth was made by renowned geologist Mr. Middlemiss in 1924 in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Q4. Sapphire is found in which valley?
Correct Answer: B. Sapphire is found in the Padder Valley of the Kishtwar District.
Q5. Old alluvial soils are known as:
Correct Answer: B. Old alluvial soils are known as Bhangar. They lie above the banks of rivers and are generally free from floods.
Q6. The soil that turns red in colour when water stands in the field is:
Correct Answer: B. Dazanlad (Sandy Silt) is a peculiar soil where irrigation water when stands in the fields turns red in colour.
Q7. The Department of Geology and Mining J&K was established in:
Correct Answer: B. The Department of Geology and Mining J&K was established in 1960 with the objective to explore the mineral wealth and groundwater resources.
Q8. Dolomite is used in the preparation of:
Correct Answer: B. Dolomite occurs in Rajouri, Udhampur, and Reasi and is used in the preparation of refractory bricks.
Q9. Peaty soils found near Jhelum and Wular Lake are locally called:
Correct Answer: B. Near the banks of the Jhelum River and in the vicinity of Wular, Mansbal, and Anchar lakes is found the rich peaty soil, locally known as Nambal.
Q10. Uranium deposits have been found in:
Correct Answer: B. Uranium has been found in the Ladakh region.