SOILS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Soil types of Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir has a diverse climate, with cold and dry weather in Ladakh, a humid weather and moist winters in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir, and less moist winters and hot summers in the plains of Jammu. Diversity in climatic conditions of a region has an impact on the types of soil found in that region. Here’s a brief account of the types of soil found in Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.
The soil type in Jammu and Kashmir is described as alluvial, which is majorly found in Kathua and Jammu. This soil is loamy with little clay content and has lime and magnesium in small quantities. The Kashmir valley, located in the temperate zone, also has alluvial soil that has high quantities of nitrogen and organic matter.
The soil in Leh and Kargil is primarily sandy or sandy loam, and has medium to medium-high levels of organic matter. This soil has less water-holding capacity.
The soils of Jammu and Kashmir can be broadly classified into the following groups:
Brown forest Soil: Mainly found in the Doda, Poonch, Baramulla, and Udhampur districts, this soil has the texture of silt loam to clay; it is moderately alkaline, has a water holding capacity of 40% and a good amount of carbon and nitrogen. Apples, cherries, safflower, and wheat can be cultivated in this type of soil.

Mountain Forest Soil: This soil is found in regions at lower altitudes. It has a sandy loam to loamy texture, has a water holding capacity in the range of 30% to 40%, and is slightly alkaline.
Mountain Meadow Soil: Found in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, this soil is alkaline and has high levels of organic carbon. It can hold 50% to 60% water; it is sandy loam to clay loam and fine to course in texture.

Red and Yellow Podzolic Soil: Found in Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Poonch, this soil is course and has a water-holding capacity of 40%.
Grey-brown Podzolic Soil: This soil is clay to loam in texture and slightly acidic. It is widely found in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.


Lithosol: This type of soil is found on the slopes of forest hills in Jammu, Udhampur, and Poonch. It can hold up to 38% water and 0.2% to 0.6 % organic carbon.

Saline Alkali Soil: It is found in the alluvial belt of Jammu and Kathua and some parts of Ladakh.
Alluvial Soil: This soil type is found on the plains of Kathua, Poonch and Udhampur, Sindh in Ladakh and on the flood plains of rivers such as Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sindh.

The rural folk and farmers in Kashmir recognize the different types of soil by local names.
 Clayey soil is called Gurti, has a good water retaining capacity, and is found on the flood plains of Jhelum.
 Loamy soil is known as Bahil, is good for agriculture and rich in humus, and is found on the right bank of Jhelum.
 Sandy soil is called Sekil and is found in the Sind Valley.
 Peaty soil, locally known as Nambal, is the soil found on the banks of River Jhelum and near the Manasbal and Anchar lakes. Mustard, pulses and fodder grow in this t

1. SOILS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR By: Dr.Mohammad Subhan Lone Lecturer Higher Education Department Jammu and Kashmir

2. INTRODUCTION Jammu and Kashmir has a diverse climate , cold and dry weather in Ladakh, a humid weather and moist winters in the hilly regions, less moist winters and hot summers in the plains of Jammu Diversity in climatic conditions of a region has an impact on the types of soil found in that region By: Dr.Mohammad Subhan Lone

3. The soil type in Jammu and Kashmir is described as alluvial, which is majorly found in Kathua and Jammu . This soil is loamy with little clay content and has lime and magnesium in small quantities . The Kashmir valley also has alluvial soil that has high quantities of nitrogen and organic matter . The soil in Leh and Kargil is primarily sandy or sandy loam, and has medium to medium-high levels of organic matter. This soil has less water-holding capacity.

4. The soils of Jammu and Kashmir can be broadly classified into the following groups:

5. Brown forest Soil Mainly found in the Doda, Poonch, Baramulla, and Udhampur districts, this soil has the texture of silt loam to clay; it is moderately alkaline, has a water holding capacity of 40% and a good amount of carbon and nitrogen. Apples, cherries, sunflower , and wheat can be cultivated in this type of soil.

6. Mountain Forest Soil : This soil is found in regions at lower altitudes. It has a sandy loam to loamy texture, has a water holding capacity in the range of 30% to 40%, and is slightly alkaline .

7. Mountain Meadow Soil : Found in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, this soil is alkaline and has high levels of organic carbon. It can hold 50% to 60% water; it is sandy loam to clay loam and fine to course in texture.

8. Red and Yellow Podzolic Soil: Found in Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Poonch, this soil is course and has a water-holding capacity of 40%.

9. Grey-brown Podzolic Soil : This soil is clay to loam in texture and slightly acidic. It is widely found in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

10. Lithosol : This type of soil is found on the slopes of forest hills in Jammu, Udhampur, and Poonch. It can hold up to 38% water and 0.2% to 0.6 % organic carbon.

11. Saline Alkali Soil : It is found in the alluvial belt of Jammu and Kathua and some parts of Ladakh . Alluvial Soil : This soil type is found on the plains of Kathua, Poonch and Udhampur, Sindh in Ladakh and on the flood plains of rivers such as Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sindh.

12. The rural folk and farmers in Kashmir recognize the different types of soil by local names.  Clayey soil is called Gurti Loamy soil is known as Bahil , Sandy soil is called Sekil   Peaty soil, locally known as Nambal , Soil found on the mountain slopes is called Tand soil,

13. KEREWAS OF KASHMIR

14. In  Kashmiri , the word Karewa means “ elevated tableland .” Godwin-Austin (1859) coined the phrase , An   unconsolidated to semi-consolidated  sand-clay-conglomerate succession. These are the  flat-topped mounds  that surround the Kashmir Valley on all sides.

15. They are distinguished by mammal fossils and, in certain locations, by peat . these lacustrine deposits have seen and preserved countless human civilizations and habitations.

16. Formation of Karewa Geologists think that the region of Kashmir valley was formerly filled with water from the Tethys Sea during the Pleistocene Period (1 million years ago ). The Baramulla Gorge developed as a consequence of endogenetic stresses, and a lake was drained through it.

17. Formation of Karewa Sediments continued to flow in from rivers and deposit in the lake, eventually resulting in the formation of a lacustrine plain Over time, the water drained away, leaving behind deposits such as unconsolidated gravel and sludge. These deposits are referred to as KAREWA.

18. Significance of Karewas Sand, silt, clay, shale, mud, lignite, gravel, and losses sediments make up the Karewa deposits. As a result, it is extremely important for agricultural and horticultural practices in the valley . Agricultural – On these deposits, the world-famous kind of saffron, known locally as  zafron , is cultivated. It also supports the growth of almonds, apples, walnuts

19. Significance of Karewas Source of Livelihood : The majority of karewas are held by people who utilize them for farming and grazing, but others are owned by the government . Archaeological – Karewa strata include fossils and traces of several human civilizations and habitations, making them of archaeological interest. They are distinguished by mammal fossils and, in certain locations, by peat.

20. THE END