Gifted profusely by the nature god, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a heaven on earth. The sky touching mountains, the sun kissed peaks, the kingdom of clouds atop the blue hills, the white rivers, the drizzling snow and the presence of excellent Soil & Vegetation of Jammu and Kashmir has made it a paradisaical land.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has diverse soil and vegetation owing to its varying altitude. Altitude of an area always influences the climate and rainfall, which in turn affects the soil and vegetation of the region.

Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with lush green forests, which forms one of the most important natural resources of the state. Covering almost twenty percent of the geographical area of the state, the forests of Jammu - Kashmir has a total area of 2236 Square Kilometers. The forest vegetation can be classified into: -

Coniferous softwood like pine
Non coniferous softwood
Scrub Forests
Deciduous Forests

Numerous trees grow in these forests. Some of the valuable ones are: -

Chinar
Deodar
Poplar
Fir
Pine
Partal
Kail
Mulbery
Walnut

Some herbs with excellent medicinal value are also found in these forests. Following are few names of such herbs: -

Menthol
Digitalis
Rubus
Artemisis

The main soil types in Jammu and Kashmir are: -

Gurti or clay soil
Sekil or sandy soil
Bahil or loam soil
Nambal or peats soil
Surzamin
Karewa

Last Updated on 8/29/2011

Geography