Mineral Resources of Pakistan

Mineral raw materials and deposits are essential to industry, construction, power generation and distribution, communication and agriculture. Their availability can ensure and stimulate the development of the industrial economy. To transform a mineral deposit into an asset, it has to be exploited and utilized.

MINERAL GEOGRAPHY OF PAKISTAN

After the partition of India, Pakistan inherited parts of western and the eastern flanks of the extra-peninsular mountains with their complex rock structure, deep and narrow but soil covered valleys, with powerful waterfalls and snow crested peaks, as well as part of the plains, flat wide, spacious and covered with deep soil which is considered to be one of the most fertile agricultural soil. Most of the positive relief is related to the structure of the underlying rocks, but the negative relief, like the river valleys and plains has been developed independently of these.

Main Geological Features. The geology of Pakistan, upon which the features of the state and its national planning greatly depends, is interesting from the point of view of the strait graphical sequence of the rocks and the minerals born of them. They are overturned, folded and dislocated at many places and are rich in plant and animal fossils. Regional details of mineral deposits of Pakistan are as under:-

1. Upper Indus Basin. The salt range is geologically the most important part of the upper Indus Basin. It contains a large number of geological formations, rich in certain minerals, from the oldest to the newest. The lowest layer is called "salt marl" because it contains beds or lines of rock salt. At "Khewera" the accumulation of both salt and gypsum is on a very large scale. The salt is purely crystalline, of a light pink colour and thickly bedded. Other rocks are magnesium sandstones, neobolus shales and purple sandstones. Tertiary (inferior) coal is available at "Dandot" and "Kalabagh".

2. Lower Indus Basin. The geology of the lower Indus Basin is important from the point of view of a regular series of "Tertiary Rock" formations. Although the life history of the rocks is comparatively brief, the evolution of the rocks is unique. The coastal areas, covered over with the oyster shells and other superficial deposits, extend for many miles along the coast. The "Laki Range" in "Sindh Kohistan" is a field museum of geology has an excellent stratigraphy, which contains some building stones, a few lignite deposits and clays of various kinds. Clay plays an important part in the mineral economy of this region. These were deposited in shallow seas and are closely connected with gypsum and limestone of the "Kirthar", "Laki" and "Gaj" areas.

3. North West Mountain Region. This area is largely unexplained. The "Siwalikes" and other tertiary rocks continue along the Kashmir Himalayas into this tract of Hazara District, Muzaffarabad and Muree. Some rock formations are traced in the Abottabad and Attock regions e, g. The Attock slates.

4. Baluchistan Mountain Region. Baluchistan region actually is a continuation of Iran series with typical geology and topography. The land of Paroli, the Hingoli and weird forms of rocks, that have so offered from sub-aerial denudation, and so the scenery is superb and awe-inspiring. There are many deposits and some extinct volcanoes. The Makran series, Khojak beds are found in the south and middle of the region.

Three Great Forests to Visit in East Sussex

Every once in a while, we need to go to the countryside and give our lungs the much needed breath of fresh air. If you live in or around East Sussex, you could actually consider yourself lucky. East Sussex is home to some of the most wonderful forests and woodlands. Going to these parks will not just offer you and your family some quality time together, you will also burn that extra calories you've been dreading to get rid minus the large bills that come with your usual vacation destinations. So without further ado, here are the forests and woodlands you would not want to miss in East Sussex.

Friston Forest

If you love walking or biking, you would definitely love Friston Forest. Its rolling terrain is famous among mountain bikers and walkers. Enjoying its abundant beech woods is easy with its way routes marked to help visitor explorer the area. Be ready to find ample wildlife population in Friston Forest. It is not uncommon that visitors are greeted by unique types of butterflies while wandering through the forest. If you are patient enough, you would even be able to see some deer quietly feeding on its luscious vegetation. Other activities to enjoy here include riding and of course camping. Riding however requires permit, but I assure you getting one is worth it.

If you are going by car, you can choose between two parking providers in the area. Both offer unique views and ways to start your visit to the great Friston Forest.

Abbots Wood

Abbots Wood is brimming with a variety of tree species each serving different purpose. Chip board and paper producers get their raw materials from the conifer plantations in Abbots Wood. Finding firewood is easy in this area because of its abundance of Hornbeam and Hazel trees. And by being a bit observant, you will be greeted with the unique kinds of butterflies and small animals that inhabit this woodland. As with Friston Forest, riding in Abbots Wood requires permit.

Battle Great Wood

Battle Great Wood is popular among people who love walking. This woodland is filled with beautiful conifers, lovely ponds, heathlands, and wonderful streams. Battle Great Wood is brimming with wildlife as well. Be ready to be surprised by sightings of deer, badgers, colorful birds, and interesting small animals. Aside from some undulating terrains, the walking ways here are easy even to the inexperienced.

These are just three of the wonderful woodlands and forest that East Sussex has to offer. If you want to take your wildlife adventure to the next level you may also want to join forest school and woodland activities offered in East Sussex. These activities will not just make you enjoy the outdoors more but will give you tons of helpful insights about the world we live in and about yourself as well.

Common Patterns - Nuclear Proliferation and The Flow of Invasive Species

The other day, I listened to an interesting University level lecture from a very famous Harvard graduated invasive species scientist, Mark Hoddle. He showed a very revealing chart of the increase in the invasive species problem globally. In looking at these charts, he also explained that it was the first world nations with the wealth which were doing the most trading and had the most tourists going to and from that ended up with the most invasive species problems. In many regards that makes sense because there is more travel, trade, and interaction. This is no surprise.

What I also found interesting was that when I looked at the old RAND Corporation charts and graphs of nuclear proliferation, they were strikingly familiar. Why is this? Was it due to the domino effect during the Cold War? Was it due to the increase in US trading partners? Why did the charts and graphs look so similar? It seems to me that there is a mathematical component that has to do with the sharing of information, the proliferation of weaponry, and traveling and trade. Since many of these components are very similar to the challenges of how invasive species are brought to and from, it should be no surprise that the charts look so close.

Now then, one could ask if the strategies we use to prevent nuclear proliferation might also be used to prevent the transportation of invasive species whether by accident, or purposefully. Some might say we are already doing this, as we have people at the airports checking to make sure that anyone carrying fruits or vegetables discharges those items before jumping on an airplane, ship, train, or bus - or even a car traveling from one nation to another at a border checkpoint. Even in the United States we have border crossings between states, where they looked to check for invasive species that might be accidentally transported.

Such checkpoints are also used, along with intelligence gathering to ensure that nuclear proliferation also doesn't make it into the wrong hands. In many regards we also use intelligence gathering to know what type of things we don't want in our country in the way of invasive species, and we look closely to prevent the moving of various species. There are rules and regulations about importing exotic reptiles for instance. Still, it's a very small invasive species, or an arms dealer that always seems to slip through the cracks. Species of weeds and plants often are tracked in on hiking boot from tourists.

Various insects might make their way into another region on firewood being transported as they are just hitching a ride. This is why we have to be very careful to watch the patterns to prevent nuclear proliferation and the flow of invasive species. It's a rather overwhelming task, but one we must face; and conquer. Please consider all this and think on it.