Resources Jhall Magsi
Introduction
Land use statistics are not available yet for Jhall Magsi district alone. The Agricultural Statistics for 1994-95 indicate land utilisation statistics of Bolan and Jhall Magsi districts combined. Five percent of the combined area has not been reported yet. Two percent is under forest, 28 percent of the area is culturable waste of which one fifth is under water logging. The total geographical area of the district is 307,800 ha.
Eighty percent of Jhall Magsi district falls under plain area; another 20 percent is hilly. The district has a vast recourse of perennial water. Besides, all major flood rivers of Balochistan cross this district. Floodwater, however, is not well preserved yet within the district.
The figures in the table below refer to Bolan and Jhall Magsi districts combined.
| Land Use 1995 | Area (Ha) |
% of total land |
| Total Geographical Area | 1,111,404 |
100 |
| Area not reported | 53,446 |
5 |
| Area reported | 1,057,958 |
95 |
| - Not available for cultivation | 455,991 |
41 |
| - Area under Forestry | 20,988 |
2 |
| - Area under permanent pasture | -- |
|
| - Culturable waste | 314,961 |
28 |
| - Area under water logging/saline | -- |
|
| - Arable land/Cultivable | 266,613 |
24 |
| Potential area available for cultivation | 581,574 |
52 |
Conclusion and major Development Issues
Eighty percent of the soil is alluvial and is considered to be the best for agriculture. Flood water is available in large quantities in summer and winter in addition to different sources of permanent water. Still only 24 percent of the area of Jhall Magsi and Bolan districts together is being used for agricultural purposes; 28 percent of the total area of the two districts is considered to be culturable waste. This is a depressive situation, which needs attention and remedy by exploiting different resources, effective management and raising awareness among the agriculturists. The area for cultivation may be enhanced up to 52 percent of the total area of the two districts.
Fire wood and dung-cake are available as sources of energy. However, the vanishing of the forest as a result of the cutting of wood without any planting of seedlings for replacement, may have bad effects on the environment and climate conditions. The use of dung-cake creates health and hygienic problems. More villages should be provided with electricity.
Though pollution in the district is not a menace, dust pollution creates many health problems too. People are hardly aware of the relationship between health problems and environmental issues, neither of any preventive measures.
No minerals are explored in the district. However, local people are of the opinion that there are various minerals available. In vain they have approached the departments concerned. Twenty percent of the district is a hilly area where minerals might be explored after due efforts.
In general the prevailing conditions in the district present a positive picture for its development. The district has potential, but lacks proper attention from government departments.