Resources Kalat
The total geographical area of the district is 662100 hectares. The area "not reported" is 531,178 hectares i.e. 80.23 percent. Only 19.77 percent area of Kalat is reported. i.e. 130,922 hectares. Cultivable waste is 14.7 percent of the area. It may be developed for agricultural activities.
|
Land use 1994-95 |
Area (Ha.) |
% of total district area |
|
Total Geographical Area |
662,100 |
100.00% |
|
Area not Reported |
531,178 |
80.23% |
|
Area Reported |
130,922 |
19.77% |
|
- Area not available for cultivation |
19,932 |
2.90% |
|
- Area under forest |
83,776 |
12.50% |
|
- Area under permanent pasture |
- |
|
|
- Area under water logging and salination |
- |
|
|
- Cultivable waste |
18,552 |
2.80% |
|
- Arable land |
9,662 |
1.46% |
|
Potential area available for cultivation |
28,214 |
4.26% |
|
Source: |
Irrigation Department, GoB |
The conclusions that emerge from an overview of the district resources of Kalat are as under:
- It is unfortunate that district-wise data for Kalat is inadequate and weak. It should be remembered that Kalat district was bifurcated in 1992 into Kalat and Mastung. In 1997, most of the land use statistics still combined Mastung and Kalat district. Thus the absence of dis-aggregated data particularly makes it very difficult to have a complete overview of the district resources.
- This is aggravated by the fact that 80% of the geographical area is not reported. Cultivable waste land is about twice the arable land, which indicates there is some scope for expansion of agriculture.
- Kalat district has very limited mineral resources that can be exploited economically. The costs of exploration and exploitation are higher than the market value.
- The district is rich in vegetation. Juniper forest reserves, which are rare, are found in the district. The rural population uses juniper wood as fuel wood. There is a need to educate the masses about the historical heritage of these forests and to save them, cheap sources of fuel energy should be provided.
- It has been observed that the use of modern energy for light and cooking is gaining momentum. However, in rural areas animal dung, bush wood and fuel wood are mostly used for cooking and heating purposes. Gas cylinders are used by 3% households. The district has no piped gas supply.
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