DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT

OF KUPWARA DISTRICT

Prepared By:

Dr Gh. Ud Din
Geological Division
Directorate of Geology and Mining
Baseera Complex Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar, J&K, 190008
 CONTENTS

S. No. Chapter Page no.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

01 Introduction 1-2
02 Brief History of the District 3-8
a) Location & Accessibility 5
b) Geographical set-up 5
c) Climate 6
d) Topography & Drainage 6
03 General Profile of the District 9-10
04 Overview of Mining Activities 11-12
05 Geology and Mineral Wealth of the District 12-17
06 Processes of Deposition of Sediments 17
In the Rivers of the District
07 Details of Royalty or Revenue received 18
in the last three years
08 Details of minor minerals production in the 19
last three years
1. INTRODUCTION
With reference to the gazette notification dated 15th January 2016, ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, the District- Environment Impact Assessment Authority
(DEIAA) and District Environment Appraisal Committee (DEAC) are to be constituted by
the Central Government for grant of environmental clearance for Category ‗B2‘ Projects for
mining of minor minerals, for all the districts in the country (hereinafter referred to as
Authority for the districts) vide S.O. 190(E) dated 20-01-2016 comprising of the following
members, namely:
1. District Magistrate or District Collector of the district — Chairperson
2. Senior most Divisional Forest Officer in the district — Member
3. An expert member to be nominated by the Divisional Commissioner or Chief Conservator
of the Forest — Member
4. Sub-Divisional Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Officer of the district headquarter
— Member Secretary
The Authority (DEIAA) for the districts shall base its decision on the recommendations of
the District Level Expert Appraisal Committee constituted under paragraph 5 of this
notification. For the purposes of assisting the Authority for the Districts, the Central
Government hereby constitutes the District Level Expert Appraisal Committee for all the
districts of the country (hereinafter referred to as DEAC for the District) comprising of the
following members, namely:-
1. Senior most Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department — Chairperson
2. Senior most Sub-Divisional Officer (Forest) — Member
3. A representative of Remote Sensing Department or Geology Department or State Ground
Water Department to be nominated by the District Magistrate or District Collector
— Member
4. Occupational health expert or Medical Officer to be nominated by the District Magistrate
or District Collector — Member
5. Engineer from Zila Parishad — Member
6. A representative of State Pollution Control Board or Committee — Member
7. An expert to be nominated by the Divisional Commissioner or Chief Conservator of Forest
— Member
8. Senior most Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department — Member
9. Assistant Director or Deputy Director or District Mines Officer or Geologist in the District
in that order — Member Secretary
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The DEIAA (District- Environment Impact Assessment Authority) and DEAC (District
Environment Appraisal Committee ) will scrutinize and recommend the prior environmental
clearance of ministry of minor minerals on the basis of District Survey Report (DSR).The
main purpose of preparation of District Survey Report is to identify the areas of aggradation
or deposition where mining can be allowed and identification of areas of erosion and
proximity to infrastructural structures and installations where mining activities should be
prohibited and calculation of annual rate of replenishment and allowing time for
replenishment after mining in the area. The District Survey Report shall form the basis for
application for Environmental Clearance, Preparation of reports and appraisal of projects.
This report contains details of Lease, Sand mining, other Mineral mining operations in the
District and Revenue which comes from minerals in the district.
This report is prepared on the basis of data collected from different concerned
Departments. The Report shall be updated once every five years. This District Survey Report
contains mainly Geology, Mineral wealth, details of rivers/nallas, details of Lease and mining
activities in the District along with Sand mining/river bed mining and revenue of minerals.
The present document is the District Survey Report for the District Kupwara of the state of
Jammu and Kashmir. District Kupwara is one of the newly created eight Districts of the state
of Jammu and Kashmir. The District came into existence after being carved out of the
erstwhile District Baramulla in the year 1979; the geographical area is 2379 sq. km. It is 90
km. from Srinagar, the summer capital the state of Jammu & Kashmir & is covered within the
geographical coordinates 34°17' - 34° 21' Latitude 73° 10 -73° 16‘ E Longitude. It has an
average elevation of 1615m above mean sea level.

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2. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT

The beautiful district Kupwara is located in the state of J&K (Figure 1). Though no
record proof is obtainable as to why Kupwara is called so, however, there exist a number of
legends associated with it. A story goes that there was a small hut built by an unknown
person in the nearby forest. This hut went by the name Kopar meaning a shabby hut. Many
accidents would take place here especially related to the disappearance of animals; they
would either roll down the hill or be killed by beasts. The neighboring area was named after
this hut Kopar. Some elders of the region also believe that this name was given to the place
by a saint named Zati Shah Wali who referred to the place as ― Ko-pore ― which meant
people of bad repute. He called it so because children here would throw stones at him
whenever he crossed it. Some others say the famed saint Syed Mohammad Gabi called it
―Kuferwari‖ which meant a land of skeptics. The tomb of this well-known saint located in the
middle of Kupwara. Later the saint changed the people here and converted them into Islam.
Therefore the customized and altered name of Kopar or kuferwari is Kupwara. Kupwara was
made out from district of Baramulla in 1979. The district headquarter is located 90 km away
from Srinagar the summer capital of the state. Farming in Kupwara is the main occupation of
the people as more than 80% of the population is engaged with it, thus made has the district
as one of the important districts of J & K state. Main income of the district comes from
agriculture. The district consists of hill stations and tourist destinations. The topography of
the district represents a mix of mountains, valleys and streams offering tremendous potential
for developing scenic and adventure tourism.

Bungus Valley- one of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential in
the valley of Bungus lying within the Trans–Himalayan area. It is a unique ecological
combination comprising a mountain biome, which include grassland biome with flora at
lower altitude. It lies at an altitude of 10000‘ (amsl) in the Northern part of the District
Kupwara within Handwara Sub-district occupying an area of 300 sq. Km (15x20 sq. Km), the
principal valley is locally known as Bodh Bungus (Figure 3). The valley is surrounded by
Rajwar & Mawar in the East, Shamusberi and Dajlungun Mountain in the West & Chokibal
and Karnagali in the North. It small valley known as lokut Bungus lies in the Northeastern
side of the main valley.

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Figure 1: Location map of Kupwara district

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Lolab valley, named after Maharaja Lolo, is known for its lush green forest and pastures
stretching across nearly 25 km from Northwest to Southeast varying in breadth from few
yards to 5 km. It is traversed by a stream known as Lalkul (Lahwal). It is also known for the
Satbaren & a cave in the Jungles of Madmadav. Lolab valley has a well-developed
infrastructure & good connectivity with rest of the region. It provides road connectivity to
Machil which is known for the waterfall –Rangil. Lolab has been appreciated by the saints,
poets & philosophers for centuries together. Satbarran Kularoos a unique place where the past
& the present architecture meet, a unique place of ancient architecture situated on the
outskirts of the village Madmadav village in Kalarooch area. Dranyari 7.5 km from
Chockibal Kupwara is considered a complete tourist destination in itself & is very famous
among the local population. It lies on the foothills of the Nattishanner Gali on the road
leading to Karnow valley. The River Kishanganga originating from the Himalaya, flows
through the outer areas of the district East to the West and finally merges into the river
Jhelum at Domel in POK.

a) Location and Accessibility

Kupwara district falls between 34°19′49.2″-34°39′22.7″ North Latitude and 73°45′20″ –

74°35′10.00″ East Longitude, covered under Indian Survey Sheet no.43 J/2,43J/3,43J/7,43J/14
and43J/15 with average altitude of 1615m (amsl). Kupwara is the backward frontier district of
Kashmir Valley, has a well developing infrastructure and road connectivity from District
Headquarter to the far flung areas. It has good road connectivity with its neighboring District
like Baramulla and Bandipora and are connected with the Summer capital (Srinagar) of J& K
through (a) Srinagar- Kupwara National Highway through Baramulla and (b) Srinagar–
Kupwara road through Sopore.

b) Geographical Set-up

The Name Kupwara is derived from ‗Kuferwari‘ which meant a land of Skeptics. Syed
Mohammed Gabi well known saint who‘s tomb lies in the middle of the Kupwara altered the
name Kuferwari into Kupwara. Kupwara District is full of scenic beauty. Dense forests &
rich wild life make it significant from tourism & wildlife point of view. The famous River
Kishenganga separates POK in Machil, Karen Titwal areas. Kupwara district lies on the
Northwest side of Kashmir Valley with borders lying on the line of control (LOC) that

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divides India & Pakistan. On the Southeastern to Southwestern side of Kupwara lies Sopore,
Badipora & Baramulla respectively.

c) Climate, Fauna and Flora

Kupwara district experiences warm and temperate climate and snowfall is limited between
Dec. to April. It experiences a pleasant weather from April to Oct. with scanty rainfall. The
annual average rainfall is 843mm & the average annual temperature 14.10C. The higher
reaches experience severe winter with heavy snow fall and the rains are common in these
areas besides these rugged areas experiences scanty rains during lean spells that result
drought like conditions. Nature has been very kind to Kupwara. Dense forests & rich wildlife
make the district significant from the tourist point of view. The pastures of the highlands like
Bungus are the regular haunts of the cheerful shepherds who bring up their flocks for grazing.
The higher reaches around the district headquarter are coated with dense forests which
besides lending charm are a great factor of healthful fragrance to the atmosphere. The best
varieties of pine and deodar are found in these forests specially the Lolab valley is rich in
them. There is wide range of wild life among the animals blackbear, redbear, tigers, markhor,
wildbuls and muskdeer are found in these forests.

d) Topography and Drainage System of the District

The entire topography of the district is mountainous with rugged terrains ,steep slopes &very
high relief characterized by high peaks like Nasta Chhun (3128m) & Taya (3048m) in the
Shamshabari Range and the peaks like Kalai (3827m), Birindar ( 3638m) , Kowatdav(
2706m) & Mangawar (2656m) located in the higher reaches of Machil and Lolab , form part
of the Inner Kashmir Himalayan Ranges & the water shed between the Kishanganga & the
Jhelum Valleys (Figure 3). On the whole the area is thickly forested which resulted in the
growth of thick soil cover thereby restricted the free flow of water & at the same time
concealed the Rock Formations existing in the area. The topography of the district represents
a mix of mountains, valleys and streams offering tremendous potential for developing scenic
and adventure tourism. The rugged topography is characterized by high peaks & precipitous
slope indirectly reflecting the rock type and their fabrication (texture & Structure). The Panjal
Volcanics & Low grade metamorphosed Precambrian rocks with wide spread distribution in
the district; & the early to middle Palaeozoic Formations (existing along the Shamsabari
Syncline in the Northern end that represent the core of the Syncline) being resistant to
weathering stand out thereby forming abrupt cliffs, escarpments, deep incised gorges& steep

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longitudinal profiles due to the differential erosion at lithological contacts. These mountain
Valleys are traversed by subsidiary fault lines/lineaments which are the main cause
responsible for landslip/landsliding. Along the low-lying areas Precambrian rocks crop out in
the form Hillocks encircled by the soft rock formations of the Karewa Group.

The Kupwara district is drained by the streams like Khamil, Pohru, Talri, Mawar,
Hardahkhaer, Varno-Lolab (Figure 2). These nallas flow over heterogeneous rock types. The
headwater region is composed of hard rock terrain such as Panjal Trap, Quartzite inclusions,
Dogra Slate, Gneissose Granite, Phyllite and Arenite , however, for most of their reaches
they flow over soft rock terrain i.e. Karewa & river alluvium. In general these nallas have a
larger catchment area & originate from many dispersed tributaries in their source area. These
nallas drain mostly over soft Karewa terrains with some prominent geomorphic features, for
example, much wider appearance, gentle to steep valley slopes, lateral shifts, braided bar
deposits (Mawar, Khamil and Talri) than over hard rock terrains where they have narrow
course , are entrenched and have steep valleys. While descending from different hard rock
terrains, these nallas enter soft rock terrain of Karewa & Recent to Sub-Recent Alluvium.
Most of the nallas merge into Phoru river before entering the River Jhelum. These Nallas are
the main source of coarse aggregate which cater to the need of all those agencies which
consume the sand, bajri and gravel for various construction purposes & developmental works
carried out in the district. These streams have special geographic importance in the district.
The entire drainage pattern has resulted in land erosion & sculpture of divergent types of
topography. In the hard rock terrains in the upstream course, the drainage divide is distinct
whereas in the downstream course, the drainage divide is with the adjacent sub-basins are
anomalous because of inter-basin cross-over of streams.

The Khamil nalla forms the main drainage system of the Trehgam area, having roughly an
East –West trend. The nalla flows from West to East upto Kupwara where it is joined by the a
prominent nalla from the East and after taking a Southerly bend forms what is known as
River Phoru. The Khamil nalla is fed by numerous tributaries both from the North & South
These tributaries include Kuzipther, Mannu, Reshwar . The Khamil nalla is fed by snow &
the springs. The discharge is hardly sufficient for irrigation as its decreases with seasonal
changes. The development & the courses of the Khamil nalla & its tributaries are to a large
extent controlled by the major & minor geological structures as is indicated by presence of
springs & the abrupt underground disappearance & re-appearance of the water after long
distances (Table 2).

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In Drangiyari- Tangdhar area, the Eastern part is drained by the North- South flowing
Drangyari Nar fed by several perennial streams like Bod Nambal Nar, Sari Nar etc. The
Western part of this area is drained by the East-West flowing Zasla Nar in which several
tributaries flow down from both sides forming the Batmaji Nar which merges into the Kazi
nag nalla & at end it merges into the Kishanganga River near Titwa.

The main drainage pattern in the Lolab–Machil area is of dendritic type. The ridge between
Hummer & Birindur peaks forms the water shed between the Northerly drainage of Machill
area & the Southerly drainage of Kalaruch Kupwara area. The Machill nala joins the
Westerly flowing kishanganga river further North. In the Kupwara Lolab area the Westerly
flowing Machhar nal forms the main drainage that is fed by the Southerly flowing tributaries
like the Gogal Nar, Kalaruch Nar etc. Futher West the Machhur Nala is named as the Lolab
Kol that joins the Easterly flowing Khamil Nala, South of Kupwara, to form the South-
Easterly flowing what is known as the Phoru River. Between Drugmul and Mundij to the
South-East, the Phoru is further fed by a number of Southerly flowing smaller tributaries. The
Phoru river which has a meandering course, joins the Jhelum river at South-West of Spore
town. Mawar nalla is a pristine mountain stream originating from Qazinag range. This nalla is
the main drainage of the Langate area, having west to east trend. This nalla flows from west
to east upto Kachor where after it takes a Southern bend till it merges with the Pohru River at
Malbagh. It has a long & wide catchment area, is fed by snow melt and perennial springs.
Hardhakhar is an important tributary of Mawar. Numerous irrigation cannals take off along
the course of the nalla. It has steep to moderate bed slope with heavy bed material movement
during floods. The highest flood discharge is 15000 cusecs. This nalla flows over
heterogeneous rock types. The headwater region is composed of hard rocks such as panjal
trap & granite, however, for the most part of it reaches it flows over soft rocks terrain i. e,
Karewa. It is main source of building material to Kupwara.

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 Figure 2: Drainage map of Kupwara district

3) GENERAL PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT

The district Kupwara is backward frontier district of Kashmir Valley. Kupwara Town is the
administrative headquarter of the district with Handwara as sub-district. The district has well
road connectivity. According to the 2011 census, Kupwara district has a population of
875,564 roughly equal to the nation of Fiji or the US state of Delaware. The District was
carved out of Baramulla in the year 1979; the geographic area is 2379 [Link]. It is bounded in
the East & South by the Baramulla & Bandipora District in the west & north there is LOC
which separates it from Muzaffarabad (Pakistan). The lofty mountain ranges of Shamsabri,
Pir Panchal make the district post card hill station. The lush green meadows of Bedi Behak,
Bungus, Lolab & Dringyari with rocky streams flowing through the valleys make them
delightful picnic spots although not yet fully developed to attract tourists to boost up
economy of district & explore nature. The climate of the district is pleasant in spring,
moderate in summer & cold in winter. Temperature rises to 37 ° C in summer to more than -
10°C Forests of Kupwara have Deodar, Kail, Fir, Pine and Elmin abundance. Kupwara is

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known for its Walnuts. Administratively Kupwara is divided into 11 blocks which include
Sogam, Tangdhar, Titwal, Ramhal, Kupwara, Rajwara, Kralpora, Langate, Wavoora,
Trehgam, and Kalarooch. Kupwara is having 2582 villages. Four tehsils viz. Kupwara,
Handwara, Karnah and Langate. Famous springs include Kazinag,Treghgam Nag, Ghazinag
& Shumnag.

Figure 3: Contour map of Kupwara district

Demography
There are five tehsils in the Kupwara district namely Kupwara, Handwara, Lolab, Karnah &
Langate with total population of 8,75,564 as per the census of 2011 out of which 4,74,190 are
females while as 3,96,164 are male. The district has a population density of 366 /sq. km. The
population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 34.62%. Kupwara has a sex ratio of
843 females for every 1000 males & the literacy rate of 66.92%. Figure 4 shows the overall
land use/land cover pattern throughout the district.

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 Figure 4: Land utilization map of Kupwara district

4) OVERVIEW OF THE MINING ACTIVITY IN THE DISTRICT

Coarse aggregate which form the basic raw material for cement concrete is extracted from
the main Nallas like Pohru, Khamil, Talri and Mawar. These Nallas are the main source of
coarse aggregate which cater to the need of all those agencies which consume the sand, bajri
and gravel for various construction purposes & developmental works carried out in the
district. Coarse aggregate (natural gravel) which form the basic raw material for cement
concrete is available along the beds of Mawar , Khamil, Varno-Lolab is usually extracted ,
however, the recent trend has been to use crushed siliceous Limestone or Panjal Volcanic
rocks for aggregate. Number of stone crushers installed in parts of the district to coupe up the
demand from rural development Departments. Stone quarries presently non-functional are
located at Khazanmatti, Kralpora, Shumnag,Gugloos Bala, Magam Handwara,Wudpora

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Handwara where basalt, siliceous limestone, sandstone, Phyllite was quarried manually & cut
into blocks for road metal & construction use.

Exploratory mining (aditing) and drilling carried out in the Dardpura forest hill spur near
Lashtial in the Kalaruchh valley, Lolab at an elevation of 2134 m reveal presence of
persistent mineralization, quartz vein width from 6m to 12m & strike extension of 28m &
depth continuity of 600m. The vein is a fissure filling fault zone. The old working are in the
zone of oxidation in which the leaching & re-deposition in the zone of oxidation has taken
place. Sulphide mineralization in the quartz vein trending in S-W direction from Lashtial to
Lalpat , covering 1.6 km. Copper content of the mineral zone varies 0.04 - 0.40% with an
average content of the lode is 0.14, the arsenic content varies from 50 – 600 ppm. Evidences
of mineralization in the vein/ mine is furnished by the presence of Malachite & Azurite
encrustation (blue color).These are Gossans showing primary sulphide other than Pyrite and
Marcasite. The old workings are in the zone of oxidation in which leaching & re-deposition
of cu–carbonate has taken place. Prospecting is still on for copper deposits in the district
which merit further exploration. Sizeable deposits of lignite associated with Karewa Group
occur In Nichahom in Handwara Tehsil. Middlemiss (1924) estimated lignite reserves at
Nichahom to be 80 million tons. The lignite seams showing rapid variation in thickness &
quality. Drilling operations were conducted by geology & mining in the Nichahom-
Chowkibal areas where the reserves estimated at 4.5 million tons up-to the depth of 38m.
This lignite was stated to be poor quality with ash from 25-50%, moisture from 20-35% &
calorific value 2200-4500BTU/Ib. The outcrops of marble at waterkhani, as also several other
bands in Awra-Zirhama sector to North-West were exploited as an ornamental stone. For this
reason the district has witnessed a sprawling growth of marble industries. Department of
Geology & Mining established 50 million cubic meters of marble in the district Kupwara
followed by grant of 25 no. mining leases in 1981. Only 08 applicants continued exploitation
till the unfavorable circumstances in the Valley prevailed that led to the closure of their units.

05) GEOLOGY AND MINERAL WEALTH OF THE DISTRICT

The oldest rock Formation covering a large part of the District is that of the Salkhalas. It
exact thickness is not determinable because of the extreme amount of folding and imbrication
which these rocks have undergone. The Formation has been named Salkhalas from a little
hamlet situated on the left bank of Kishanganga in the Karnah where the Formation is found
developed in a typical form in a wide outcrop (Table 1). This Formation comprises a thick &

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monotonous pile of dark grey phyllites, frequent graphitic and ferruginised, thin crystalline
limestone and flaggy quartzite. The Outcrops of the Lower Paleozoic exposed within the two
synclines (Marham & Shamasabri) pass downwards into Precambrian & the entire sequence
rests on a Schistose Basement (Salkhala Formation) . The contact being usually a faulted one.
The Salkhala rocks of the Tangdhar valley evince considerably less metamorphism than those
of North side of the Basin. Granitisation is absent here except in the aurole round the Kazi
nag massif. The inner margin of the Salkhalas comes in contact with the Dogra Slates or they
undergo Cambrian beds near Nava Gabra for about 8km, such a contact is also observed
along a stretch of many km on the south limb of the Shamsabri Syncline of palaeozoic strata
at the head of Batamaji stream. From Dhanni to beyond Gabdori, Dora slates overlies
compact black Argillites (graphite bearing slates& dolomitic limestone & passes upwards
into a very thick sucession of sandstone & slates. According to D. N. Wadia the Dangiyari &
Tangdhar areais occupied by Salkhalas & Dogra Slates (Machhil Formation).

The name Machhal Formatiom is introduction by Raina & Razdan (1975) for a thick pile of
interbedded slate & phyllites typically developed in Machhal area & corresponds to the
Dogra slate Formation of Wadia. The Machhal Formation pass vertically into Lolab
Formation with a gradational contact. The age of the Machhal Formation (Dogra slate) could
vary from Pre-Cambrian to Lower most Cambrian. This Formation has a maximum outcrop
width of 10 km. The prominent ridges like Zand Dodi, Chandankhal etc, & valleys of
Korwali-Pushwari of Machhal area are located within this Formation (Figure 5).

Pohru Group is being introduced to the large thickness of Early to Middle Palaeozoic strata
that are so well exposed on the either side of the Pohru Valley in a continuous & almost un-
interrupted succession of rock Formations ranging in age from the Earliest Cambrian to
Devonian .These rock Formations have their individual lithological characteristics & faunal
content which has therefore enabled five–fold classification of the Pohru Group into litho-
unit name informally as Formations- A,B,C,D & E. Some of these Formations are also
exposed along the Northern & Southern hill slopes of Machhal Nala, extending into the upper
reaches of the Lolab valley. In Pohru valley Formation A ( lolab/ Sagipura ) Lower Middle
Cambrian – Lower Cambrian, is exposed along the Left bank hill slopes of Pohru river. This
comprises a large thickness of 500m predominant siltstone quartzite arenite & Graywack.
This Formation is overlain by the Formation B (Nutunus Formation) despite its relatively
small thickness is highly fossiliferous & shows a complete development of Middle & Upper
part of Middle Cambrian. This Formation is exposed all along the upper reaches of Kandi-

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Natunus catchment area. Large part of this Formation is concealed either under the Karewa or
under the alluvium of Pohru river. The Nutunas Formation is succeeded by the Formation C
or the Trehgam Formation well exposed on the right bank of Pohru river in the Wodhpura-
Gosain Tang hill slopes & on the left bank of the river between Waterkhani and Drugmulla .
This Formation has a maximum thickness of 550m & its type section is exposed to the East
of Waterkhani. In addition to the several smaller bands & lenticules of limestone, the
Formation is characterized here by a thick unit of about 225m of highly siliceous &
recrystallized limestone/ marble extending over a strike of 2.5km. The age of this Formation
has been assigned Lower Ordovician–Late Middle Cambrian.

Rocks belonging to the Ordovician- Silurian age are reported from the ridge just East & East-
South-East of Drugmulla village. The area was hitherto considered to belong to Middle –
Upper Cambrian By Wadia (1934) & others (Shah, 1968).

The occurrence of small outcrops of volcanic rocks within the Early Palaeozioc succession in
Kupwara district is being reported which may have important bearing on the geological
history & palaeogeography of the period. These rocks occur in the form of purple colored
vesicular tuffs & as thin flows of vesicular & amygdaloidal lava exposed in the hill slope to
the North of Waterkhani /Tenkipur in Khurhama with an outcrop width of 25m however, its
exact position in the stratigraphic column is not fixed. The Upper Cambrian is completely
exposed at Trehgam. It is composed of a thick sequence of alternating shale & limestone
which towards the top bear a Middle Ordovician Fauna. A prolonged period of non-
deposition was witnessed in the area after the Ordovician- Silurian times as the next
succeeded sequence belongs to the Panjal Volcanic System of Upper Carboniferous to Upper
Triasic age. The Drangyari- Tanghdar area is occupied by the Salkhalas, Dogra Slate
(Machhal Formation), Lower Cambrian, Middle & upper Cambrian, Ordovician- Silurian,
Muth-quartzite, Agglomeratic Slate & Panjal Trap, for forming the Northern limb of the
Easterly Plunging Shameshabri syncline with its closer South of Tangdhar. Thick band of
Quartzite is found to occur in the North of Tangdhar.

Quaternary deposits occupy a very large tract of the Pohru valley and comprises the Late
Neogene to Quaternary Karewa sediments formed mainly of clays, loam, silt with thick
gravel bands and the Recent alluvium. These Karewa are widely distributed in the Kalarooch-
Manchuar Nala valleys & also in the Kandi-Arumpur areas. Both Naugom & Hirpur
Formations represent the Karewa Group in Kupwara District. The Hiirpur Formation is

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widely exposed in the Nichhahom area. The Karewa either overly the Precambrian-Cambrian
or occur as isolated mounds.

Table 1: The general Geological sequence of rock Types as noticed in the District is as given
below:

Group Formation Age

………………………................................................................................................................

Karewa Group Naugom Formation Late Neogene to Quaternary

Hirpur Formation

Panjal Volcanic Group Carboniferous to Triassic

Muth Quartzite Devonian

Murhama Silurian-Middle Ordovician

Pohru Trahgam Lr. Ordovician- Late Middle Cambrian

Group
Nutunus Middle Cambrian

Sagipura/Lolab Lr. Middle Cambrian – [Link]

Marinag Early Lower Cambrian – Precambrian

Machhal (Dogra Slate) Late Neoproterozoic

Salkhala Proterozoic

…………………………………………………………………..……………………………

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 Figure 5: Geological map of Kupwara District

Economic Minerals

The phyllites and quartzite of Cambrians are widely used as road metal. The Panjal Traps are
used for building purposes. There is possibility of finding some mineralization association
with the abundant intrusions of quartz veins within the arenaceous sequence of Lower–
Middle Cambrian-Lolab Formation (Formation –A) Gagal forest Division where these occur
in the neighborhood of the known mineralized belt at Lashtial in Kalarooch valley.

The outcrops of crystalline limestone/marble at Waterkhani, as also several other bands in

Awra-Zirhama sector to North-West were exploited as an ornamental stone. For this reason
the district has witnessed a sprawling growth of marble industries. Department of Geology &
Mining established 50 million cubic meters of marble in the district Kupwara followed by
grant of 25 no. mining leases in 1981. Only 08 applicants continued exploitation till the
unfavorable circumstances in the Valley prevailed that led to the closure of their units in
1989. Sizeable deposits of lignite associated with Karewa Group occur in Nichahom in

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Handwara Tehsil. Middlemiss (1924) estimated lignite reserves at Nichahom to be 80 million
tons. The lignite seams showing rapid variation in thickness & quality. Drilling operations
were conducted by geology & mining in the Nichahom-Chowkibal areas where the reserves
estimated at 4.5 million tons up-to the depth of 38m. This lignite was stated to be poor quality
with ash from 25-50%, moisture from 20-35% & calorific value 2200-4500BTU/Ib. The
lignite seams showing rapid variation in thickness & quality,

6) PROCESS OF DEPOSITION OF SEDIMENTS IN THE RIVERS

Sediment is the solid that has settled down from a state of suspension in a fluid, but in
geological usage it includes all solid particles like those derived from pre-existing rocks
(clasts), chemical precipitates & organic remains. It is usually observed that like sediments
are formed under similar conditions. Sediment is a naturally occurring material that is broken
down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action
of wind, water, glacial and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particles. The material
produced on weathering & erosion are deposited at suitable places as sediments. Sediment
includes a variety of material size ranging from clay to big boulders. Sediments are most
often transported by water. Sediment is transported based on the strength of the flow that
carries it and its own size, volume, density, and shape. Stronger flows will increase the lift
and drag on the particle, causing it to rise, while larger or denser particles will be more likely
to fall through the flow. If the upwards velocity of the sediment is approximately equal to the
settling velocity, sediment will be transported downstream entirely as suspended load. If the
upwards velocity is much less than the settling velocity, but still high enough for the sediment
to move, it will move along the bed as bed load by rolling, sliding, and saltation (jumping up
into the flow, being transported a short distance then settling again). If the upwards velocity
is higher than the settling velocity, the sediment will be transported high in the flow as wash
load. As there are generally a range of different particle sizes in the flow, it is common for
material of different sizes to move through all areas of the flow for given stream conditions.
A river deposits its load of sediments as soon as its velocity is checked on the loss of
gradient.

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7). Details of Royalty or Revenue received in the last three years

Figure 7: showing revenue collected in 2014-2015

Figure 8: showing revenue collected in 2015-16

Figure 9: showing revenue collected in 2016-17

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8) Details of minor minerals production in the last three years

Figure 10: Showing mining of minor mineral in MT year 2014-15

Figure 10: Showing mining of minor mineral in MT year 2016-16

Figure 10: Showing mining of minor mineral in MT year 2015-16

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 Table 2: Salient features of the main stream in Kupwara district
S. No Name of the Total Length in Basin Area Place of Altitude of
stream the district (Km2) Origin Origin
(Km) (m)
1 Mawar 36.4 265 Bungus 3000
2 Kehmil 40 511 Bungus 3800
3 Lolab 31 350 2800
4 Pohru 33 Stream
confluence

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