Gilgit Baltistan’s mineral treasures and frozen water reserves
A fascinating Land, wonder of wonders lying in the vicinity of KPK province interspersed with an endless chain of mighty mountains housing 05 of the 14 highest peaks in the world, namely K-2 (8611.M), Nanga Parbat the killer mountain (8126.M), gasherbrum-I (8068.M), broad peak (8047.M), Gasherbrum-II (8035.M) and as many as 108 peaks above 7000.M height.
This Land popularly known as Gilgit Baltistan (GB) borders with China, Tajikistan, Kyrgezestan, Afghanistan and Indian held Kashmir and is likely to enjoy a central position at cross roads between central Asia and South Asia whence the CPEC is commissioned as per schedule in the year 2030.
Its awesome mountain’s glaciers and enchanting landscape possess an inherent attraction for climbers, tourists and trekker’s world over. Mountaineers from Europe, far East and America flock GB during summer and Autumn to scale the peaks. In their endeavour’s many have lost their lives, their mortal remains are still untraced but their passion of scaling down these peaks have not diminished as the splendour and awesome beauty of these peaks keep the mountaineers always lured.
With the advent of summer a steady stream of climbers mostly from far East, Europe and America are seen heading with local porters carrying their baggage and other essentials towards the peaks of their choice in GB. These alien climbers lend a festive atmosphere in GB which marks onset of summer after a terrible winter.
GB is home to 1.5 million people encompassing an area of 72496 sq KMs. Geological surveys indicate 34% of the total area is occupied with mountains, 4% by forests, 1% cultivated land, 1% cultivable waste, 8% uncultivable waste and 52% range land. Population density is 15 persons per Sq, km, probably the lowest in the world.
Former and incumbent governments have generously invested in health, education, power and communication sectors and have lifted this region on par with other developed areas of the country. In a short span of time literacy rate has risen to 55% or above. Academic and literary pursuits have further been augmented by launching ‘Karakorum International University’ about two decades ago.
A long spell of slavery under Dogra and British Raj Saw people in GB in absolute poverty ignorance and a sizeable number of populace were lowered to mendicants. This horrific scenario does not exist today. People in GB have broken the shackles of ignorance, poverty and have become educated and affluent enjoying the boons of liberty from subjugation and slavery.
CPEC, as is said a harbinger of prosperity and game changer first passes through GB and links rest of the country with China and Central Asian states. Look east instead of west, a partial shift in government policy is probably paying dividends. Standing on a tall mountain cliff in Gilgit Baltistan gazing China and beyond might further our economic and strategic interests in future.
GB apart from being a climbers and tourist heaven harbours enormous mineral treasures and frozen fresh water reserves in its belly. Approximately Rs 1.2-1.4 Billion value of Minerals including gem stone ore is extracted annually. An estimated 15 kg gold from placer gold is collected annually by local gold washers. Huge deposits of granite and white marble comparable to world class in quality are found here. A concise account of mineral deposits with their locations made public by ‘Mineral Department GB’. Sometimes back is detailed as such, gold is found in 168 locations, Platinum 106 locations, Pallidium-46 locations, copper 493 locations, Lead 280locations, Bismuth 1 location, Molybdenum 1 location, Antimony 02 locations, Iron ore 03 locations. In addition to the above named metals a very rare and expensive metal named ‘chevkinite’ is also found in GB.
GB boasts of world’s largest glaciers, sixteen in number outside polar region and accumulates mammoth reserves of fresh frozen water termed by glaciologists as ‘‘Water Tower’ of Asia in Pakistan.
Kem Hewith a world famed Canadian glaciologist while conducting glacial studies in Karakorum Range of mountains in the year 2005 detected a strange Phenomena with regard to glacial meltdown by global rise of temperature. He termed his findings as ‘Karakorum Anomaly’. Unlike glaciers in Himalayas and other parts of the world which are receding, glaciers in Karakorum are increasing in mass un affected by global warming and keeping its massive frozen waters intact. This can be attributed a divinely ordained bounty for the people of Pakistan in general and farmers of KPK, Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan in particular. This amazing phenomenon thwarts designs of Pakistan’s enemies who are brooding to turn our farm land into desert by diverting river courses flowing in to Pakistan.
Karakorum Mountains lying in the northern most part of Pakistan stand tall with their abundant mineral treasures and enormous frozen fresh water reserves act as a beacon of hope against thirst and hunger for generations to come.
