By : Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar
Almighty Allah has gifted Pakistan with such natural resources that cannot only boom the country financially but can also make us independent in every field of life. The soil of Pakistan is too fertile, and suitable for crops. The unconsolidated material covering the surface of the earth is known as soil and it supports plant growth. Alluvium is transported and deposited by running water and that deposited by winds form aeolian soil.
A large land area of Pakistan is under cultivation. The country has one of the largest irrigation systems in the world. According to Wikipedia, “the most important crops are cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize, sorghum, millets, pulses, oil seeds, barley, fruits and vegetables, which together account for more than 75% of the value of total crop output.” The fertile lands of Punjab are capable to provide crops two times more than that is required by the current population of Pakistan.
Forests of Pakistan specially in Azad Kashmir are extensive, continuous areas of land dominated by trees. The forests of Pakistan reflect great physiographic, climate and edaphic contrasts in the country. Forests are very important in different ways; they help to maintain a balance in the environment by checking pollution and protecting the soil from erosion. By preventing soil erosion, the trees on the slopes of hills also regulate the supply of water to the reservoirs thereby reducing floods.
Human beings, animals and plants cannot live without water. Water is essential for sustaining quality of life on earth. This water, the natural blessing has a direct bearing on almost all sectors of economy. In Pakistan its importance is more than ordinary due to the agrarian nature of the economy.
Azad Kashmir is rich in minerals and natural resources, including gemstones, industrial minerals, and construction materials. Specifically, the region boasts deposits of copper, gold, silver, coal, rubies, sapphires, and tourmaline, along with marble and granite.
Geological surveys had indicated huge reserves of minerals and precious stones, but due to the lack of resources and indifferent planning we are not been able to realize the full potential of these natural resources.
Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Neelum and Reshan region are full of bauxite, laterite and ochre, copper, red iron oxide, and graphite. Sheet mica and lithium mica are found in Neelam valley; nephlene syenite from Reshian region, coal from Kotli region and limestone and marble from different areas.
Azad Kashmir represents many gemstones from Neelam valley like orange-red spessartine garnet in pegmatites, ruby, green tourmaline, black tourmaline and quartz from different gem localities.
The Gilgit Baltistan Province is also full of natural resources and minerals. The Karakorum region, Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, chilas, Nanga Parbat and Astor posses arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite, pyrite, bauxite, copper and gold associated with gossan, ochre, iron, lithium/lepidolite, sheet mica, uranium, graphite, limestones and marbles, coal, aquamarine, emerald, moonstone, quartz, red ruby, rose quartz, topaz, tourmaline, beautiful pyrite, malachite and azurite etc.
Proper utilization of natural resources in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is very crucial for sustainable development and poverty reduction. AJK’s economy heavily relies on foreign remittance, agriculture, forestry, minerals and livestock, making it essential to manage these resources effectively. Addressing issues like deforestation, water pollution, and unsustainable agricultural practices is vital for long-term prosperity and environmental protection, so the Government of Pakistan must apply its own resources to utilize the natural resources of Azad Kashmir and make sure that the application of modern technology brought fruitful results and helped in the prosperity of the region.
