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| JK has enough reserves to meet Indian needs | | No need to import borax | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 13: The state has the potential to meet Indian demand of Borax and Sulphur. But the potential has not been tapped for unknown reasons. According to official figures, India used to import Borax worth 150 Cr. Surprisingly the huge Borax reserves of Ladakh were never touched. The state government did collect 18 tonnes of Borax, 2 tonnes of Sulphur, ½ Ton of Sodium Sulphate in 1976 and that was it. The collection of the important salt was abandoned even as the demand rose to 75000 tonnes (Borax), 10,000 tons (Sulphur) in the Indian market in 1980.
According to geological experts, Borax is found in abundance at Pugga (Ladakh). Pugga is around 120 miles from Leh and has severe climate. Borax oozes out from springs. The emission is accompanied with gases, contaminated hot water and Sulphur. The quality of Sulphur is very good (Crystalline) and gets accumulated on the outer ridge of the well. Borax remains at the center and can be collected by brooming. "More brooming yields more Borax and Sulphur. The state can meet the total demand of Borax in India if the salt is collected regularly", opine the experts.
Borax is also found in large quantities in Thsokar Lake. Thoskar Lake, experts believe, is the remnant of an old sea having no inlet or outlet. Similarly the waters of Pangong Lake are rich in Borax salts and can yield huge quantities of Borax. The salt is used as a cleanser either directly or in soaps. It is an essential ingredient of baking powder, food preservatives, flavoring extracts, syrups, pickles and insecticides. It is also a mild antiseptic.
Borax prevents rancidity in cosmetics, pastes and glues. It can be used for preservation of fruits, leather, textiles and paper. Borax aids tanning and gives a smooth finish to leather. It fireproofs wood and textiles. It gives flux to glass and adds to the quality of glazed paper.
Borax can also be used in small-scale units for manufacture of candles, oil, paints, polishes and drugs.
Similarly sulphur can be put to a number of uses. The state has all the raw material for manufacture of matches. "A match industry can flourish anywhere in the state if only the government takes the initiative or encourages private entrepreneurs to take up the activity", experts believe.
Valley had its own cracker industry. A good number of people in Fateh Kadal (Down Town, Srinagar) would manufacture crackers in bulk to meet the requirements of the local market. But, the industry died down in the late 80s. No measures have been taken to revive the industry notwithstanding the availability of raw material in the state.
Sulphur is also used in manufacture of fertilizers, dyes, coaltar, rubber, rayon and jute.
"It is a pity that the vast resources have not been tapped till date. The government needs to wake up and do the needful", experts suggest. |
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