The JK has huge reserves of snow white gypsum (around 114 million tonnes) at Boniyar, Naloosa, Bijhama, Dhani Sayidan in Varmul district and Assar, Khoda Pani, Ganga, Kanga, Kannoli, Jattar and Parlanka in Doda district. Haji AM Butt, who happens to be a member of Indian Standards Institute (ISI) has conducted tests of gypsum found in the states. According to his observations, Kashmir gypsum is 94.20 percent rich and contains traces of chlorine. “This variety of gypsum is best suited for the manufacture of fertilizers,” he said. Butt said that a huge fertilizer plant at Varmul could relieve the Valley farmers of their woes and earn the state the much-needed revenue. “Every year the fertilizer manufacturers outside the state hoard their stocks to earn profits. The gullible farmers are forced to purchase fertilizers at high rates. A fertilizer plant here in the Valley can put an end to huge import of fertilizers,” he said. The Kashmir gypsum is also best suited for pottery. But Chinese alone know the art. However, it can be used as an auto salinity agent, in the manufacture of cement as a retarder, gypsum board, laths, building plaster etc. The lath/plaster board and wall board consists of thin sheets of paper, felt or thin wood separated by compressed plaster and can be used partitioning walls, roofing, fire-proofing and sound-proofing. Gypsum is also used in the manufacture of fillers, paints, crayons and insecticides. The government has tried its best to give boost to the gypsum industry but it could not take off as the lease of land and money (around 60 lakhs) sanctioned were not put to proper use. An enquiry was also announced in the scandal but till date the enquiry has not commenced for reasons best known to the concerned. However, notwithstanding the hurdles created by vested interests and the scandals that killed the industry before its birth, the Jammu entrepreneurs are trying hard to put the reserves to proper use. Plaster of Paris (POP) manufactured in Jammu is widely sold in the Valley. Butt believes number of plants can come up at various places in Varmul and Doda districts where gypsum is available in abundance. “The best thing about gypsum is that no huge machines are needed to make it a saleable commodity. It can be ground manually and sold as such to the agriculture industry,” Butt says, adding, “A leading gypsum manufacturer started humbly by grinding the stone in a big mortar commonly known as Kunz.” If dried at a temperature of 300 F, the stone, according to Butt, yields a fine powder that can be used in manufacture of medical grade plaster. The strength of the Kashmir gypsum has already been accepted by the ISI and bear No. IS 8273/74-1984. On the viability of the project, Butt says if the reserves are exploited fully and effectively, it could contribute a major chunk of State’s total budget.

The JK has huge reserves of snow white gypsum (around 114 million tonnes) at Boniyar, Naloosa, Bijhama, Dhani Sayidan in Varmul district and Assar, Khoda Pani, Ganga, Kanga, Kannoli, Jattar and Parlanka in Doda district. Haji AM Butt, who happens to be a member of Indian Standards Institute (ISI) has conducted tests of gypsum found in the states. According to his observations, Kashmir gypsum is 94.20 percent rich and contains traces of chlorine. “This variety of gypsum is best suited for the manufacture of fertilizers,” he said. Butt said that a huge fertilizer plant at Varmul could relieve the Valley farmers of their woes and earn the state the much-needed revenue. “Every year the fertilizer manufacturers outside the state hoard their stocks to earn profits. The gullible farmers are forced to purchase fertilizers at high rates. A fertilizer plant here in the Valley can put an end to huge import of fertilizers,” he said. The Kashmir gypsum is also best suited for pottery. But Chinese alone know the art. However, it can be used as an auto salinity agent, in the manufacture of cement as a retarder, gypsum board, laths, building plaster etc. The lath/plaster board and wall board consists of thin sheets of paper, felt or thin wood separated by compressed plaster and can be used partitioning walls, roofing, fire-proofing and sound-proofing. Gypsum is also used in the manufacture of fillers, paints, crayons and insecticides. The government has tried its best to give boost to the gypsum industry but it could not take off as the lease of land and money (around 60 lakhs) sanctioned were not put to proper use. An enquiry was also announced in the scandal but till date the enquiry has not commenced for reasons best known to the concerned. However, notwithstanding the hurdles created by vested interests and the scandals that killed the industry before its birth, the Jammu entrepreneurs are trying hard to put the reserves to proper use. Plaster of Paris (POP) manufactured in Jammu is widely sold in the Valley. Butt believes number of plants can come up at various places in Varmul and Doda districts where gypsum is available in abundance. “The best thing about gypsum is that no huge machines are needed to make it a saleable commodity. It can be ground manually and sold as such to the agriculture industry,” Butt says, adding, “A leading gypsum manufacturer started humbly by grinding the stone in a big mortar commonly known as Kunz.” If dried at a temperature of 300 F, the stone, according to Butt, yields a fine powder that can be used in manufacture of medical grade plaster. The strength of the Kashmir gypsum has already been accepted by the ISI and bear No. IS 8273/74-1984. On the viability of the project, Butt says if the reserves are exploited fully and effectively, it could contribute a major chunk of State’s total budget.

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