A Preliminary Study and Characterization of Nasir Abad Hunza Marble Deposit Gilgit Baltistan

Marble is widely used in construction industry mainly in interior & exterior design of buildings due to its resilient physical, chemical & mechanical properties. The diverse geology of Gilgit Baltistan has naturally endowed this region with different varieties of marble deposits. These marble deposits need proper characterization to ensure their proper use in the construction industry. This research aims to conduct a preliminary study for the characterization of the Nasir Abad Hunza marble deposit. Samples from said deposit were subjected to different tests to study its chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Results of XRF analysis reveal that the deposit under study is dolomitic. The comparison of different physical properties of deposits with standard values confirms its originality. However, high variation in the strength of core samples was observed, which could result from incomplete crystallization by metamorphism. This variation in the strength of samples suggests strength-based definitions of deposit domains to propose the use of each domain separately.

Mineral Resources of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: An Update

The Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions are rich in mineral and natural resources. The gemstones, marbles and many other economic mineralizations are significant but these regions are relatively far from central and southern commercial areas of Pakistan. The gemstones of Gilgit-Baltistan Province are famous worldwide especially from Hunza and Skardu regions. The Azad Kashmir region also has a share of gemstone especially from the upper approaches of Neelam valley and marble, construction materials, coal, clays and other minerals found from different areas of Azad Kashmir. There is no common previous availability of comprehensive papers providing mineral data of Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions. This report provides a quick view of mineral resources occurred in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions.

Range extension of four highland agamid lizards in Shimshal Pamir,Pakistan

As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey in the ShimshaI-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009. The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species, habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan. The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park （KNP） along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey, conducted exclu- sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence, distribution and status in the study area. Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active, basking or feeding. A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks. Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution, tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department, Karachi for future reference. Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements. A detailed review of relevant literature, habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana, L. pakistanica, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana at 4,082 m, 4,172 m, 4,005 m and 4,240 m asl, respectively, which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m, 3,200 m, 2,500 m and 2,400 m asl. The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers, in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year, which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism. Although one of the four species recorded from the study area, i.e.L, pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana are new records from Shimshal, Pakistan, so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.

Robinia pseudoacacia leaves improve soil physical and chemical properties

The role of the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia L., which is widely distributed in the arid lands, on improving soil physical and chemical properties was analyzed at various incubation periods. The incubated soils added with 0, 25, 50 and 75 g Robinia pseudoacacia leaves were tested after consecutive incubation intervals of 6, 8 and 10 months and the different soil parameters were measured. The results showed the increases in organic matter (OM), extractable K, cation exchange capacity (CEC), aggregate stability and water holding capacity, but the decreases in pH value and bulk density after 6 months’ incubation. The gradual decrease in change rates of soil properties indicated less microbial population and organic residual mineralization under acidic conditions, which were resulted from fast decomposition of leaves after the first 6 months incubation. The increases in soil organic matter content, extractable K, CEC, aggregate stability and water holding capacity and the decreases in soil pH and bulk density provide favorable conditions for crop’s growth.