ENTREPRENEURSHIP ASSIGNMENT

on
RESOURCES OF KARNATAKA

SUBMITTED TO:

SUBMITTED BY:

Prof. N RAMESH

SHWETHA P
PG1529

RESOURCES OF KARNATAKA
MINERALS OF KARNATAKA:
The state of Karnataka is abundant in mineral resources. It is said to be one of the most mineral rich
states of India. The mineral belt covers an area of 1.92 lakh sq.km including 29 districts of the state.
Karnataka is also endowed with the green stone belt with valuable mineral resources such as gold,
silver, copper, iron-ore, manganese, limestone, dolomite, asbestos, bauxite, chromite, kaolin and
granite rock. The main minerals found in Karnataka are listed below:
Gold: The Kolar Gold Fields in Kolar used to be one of the major producers of gold in India, before it
shut down. Presently the gold mines of Hutti and Raichur produce almost 84 per cent of the countrys
gold. The other major centers of gold mining are Dharwad and Chitradurga. The gold mines produce
about 3,000 kgs of gold per annum. The district of Raichur is also famous for its silver deposits.
Iron ore: Karnataka has over 9,000 million tonnes of iron ore resources, of which the bulk is in the
magnetite form. The production during the year 2007-08 crossed 47 million tons. The districts of
Bellary and Hospet are the main districts, whereas Chitradurga, Bagalkot and Tumkur districts are
also produce significant amounts of iron ore. The chunk of the iron ore is exported to be used in steel
manufacture and pig iron and sponge iron plants.
Limestone: It is another important mineral with an estimated 51,000 million tons. Karnataka has the
largest limestone reserve in India. The districts of Gulbarga, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Shimoga and other
Uttara Kannada districts are endowed with extensive high grade limestone. The present and consistent
production of approximately 14 million tonnes provides for the cement plants in these districts.
Granite: Karnataka has vast resources of granite deposits. These deposits have brought the state into
the international scenario. The district of Mysore is famous for its black granite and the Bellary and
Raichur is famous for its pink version. Pink granite is also quarried at Uduvagere and Managalli in
Magadi taluk of Bangalore district, Deodurg, Mundargi, Masarkal, Savanthagal in Deodurg taluk and
in Bijapur.
Felsite: Karnataka is the only Indian state where felsite is produced. Large occurrences of Felsite
rocks are reported to have been found in Kirangur, Hosahalli and Srirangapatanam and Mysore. These
rocks display either grey or pink colour as well a combination of both theses colours.
Manganese ore: Karnataka has the largest recoverable reserves of manganese ore in the country. It is
mostly found in the Chitradurga district. Shimoga and North Kanara district as well as the Bellary and
Mysore districts are other places where manganese ore is found.

Other Minerals in Karnataka:

Other minerals found scattered across the state are Chromite, Dolomite, and Bauxite. Chromite is
found in altered ultrabasic rocks in the districts of Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Hassan, Mysore and
Shimoga. Dolomites presence has been recorded at a number of places. There is a possibility of a
reserve of 1112 million tonnes of Dolomite deposits in the regions of Belgaum and Bijapur districts.
Bauxite is found in the Chikmagalure district.

FORESTS:
Karnataka is spread across a geographical area of 191,791 square km (74,051 sq. mi). The recorded
forest area of Karnataka is 43,356.47 sq. km, as per the annual report of the states Forest Department
for the year 2014-15.
Karnatakas forest area is about 22.61% of the states geographical area. It accounts for around 6.18%
of Indias total forest area of 701,673 sq. km.
The percentage of Karnatakas forest area in comparison to its geographical area is slightly lower than
the all-India average of around 23%. The percentage recommended by the National Forest Policy is
33%.
Classification of forest area in Karnataka
The total forest area of 43,356.47 sq. km in Karnataka can be classified as follows:

Reserved Forests: 29,688.37 sq. km

Protected Forests: 3,540.07 sq. km

Unclassified Forests: 10,024.91 sq. km

Village Forests: 49.05 sq. km

Private Forests: 54.07 sq. km

Forest types in Karnataka

The state of Karnataka is blessed with magnificent forests. The impressive blanket of forest greenery
existing in the state is composed of 5 different forest types. The forest types found in Karnataka are:
1. Evergreen and Semi-evergreen forests:
The evergreen forests mainly comprises of evergreen trees that retain their green foliage throughout
the year. The semi-evergreen forests are a mixture of ever-green trees and deciduous trees that lose
their leaves seasonally.
The evergreen forests are found in the western slopes of the Western Ghats in the state. The semievergreen forests also cover the Western Ghats. Both these forest types are dense in nature.
2. Moist Deciduous Forest:
The suitable temperature conditions and moderate rainfall help moist deciduous forests to flourish in
the state. The moist deciduous forests mostly occupy the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats in
Karnataka. They are spread across the wet north-eastern parts of the Peninsula. These forests are
mainly dominated by Sal and Teak trees along with rosewood trees.

3. Dry Deciduous Forest:

The dry deciduous forests are actually a type of the Indian deciduous or monsoon forests. This forest
type thrives in warm climate. These forests are characterized by tall trees. They drop their leaves
during the dry winter and spring months. The dry deciduous forests dominate the lee side of the
Western Ghats in the state. This region does not receive much rainfall. The most significant tree found
in the dry deciduous forests.
4. Scrub and Thorny Forest:
The scrub and thorny forests are seen in the arid parts of the Deccan Plateau located in the northeastern part of the state. These forests receive less than 750 mm (30 in) annual rainfall. There is no
rainfall in this region during the months of November to April. The region experiences high
temperature during the summer season. Due to the scanty rainfall the vegetation of this forest type is
characterised by thorny trees, spiny and xerophytic shrubs, and dry grassland.
5. Un-wooded Forest:
There are several areas of grassland and wasteland found in Karnataka. In the heavy rainfall regions
of the state the grasslands occur at high altitude. These grasslands are un-wooded. Often the high
altitude grasslands of Karnataka are interspersed with pockets of shola forests.

Bhagavati Reserved Forest.

Bhadra Reserved Forest.

Bannerghatta National Park.

Kudremukh National Park.

Nagarahole National Park.

Bandipur National Park.

Anashi National Park.

Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary.

AGRICULTURE:
Karnatakas agriculture alone accounted for 12.3% of Indias GDP in 2009-2010. 58.4% of Indias
population relies on agriculture as their primary means of livelihood. Of all agricultural products,
wheat and rice accounted for 78% of Indias total food grains production in 2009-2010. Karnataka has
been the recipient of the Government of Indias numerous schemes for the agricultural development.
1. Suitability of Karnataka for Agriculture:

The state of Karnataka is located at the West Coast of India. Karnataka is blessed with more than
adequate rain and sunshine throughout the year, combined with fertile soils kept well irrigated by
major rivers such as Cauvery, Godavari, Krishna, North Pennar, South Pennar, Palar and several westflowing rivers. These rivers and their many tributaries allow the people of Karnataka to indulge in
farming activities. With state-sponsored organized farming and budgeted agricultural developmental
plans, these well-irrigated lands are yielding great results. The share of agriculture in the state GDP is
around 16%, which is higher than the current National Average. Of all the states in India, Karnataka is
the first state to come up with a separate agriculture budget. 65% of Karnatakas population depends
on agriculture as their main means of livelihood.
2. Agricultural Trade in Karnataka:
Karnataka is well connected to all major ports around the world, making this state a suitable place not
only for the cultivation of agriculture but also for trade. Karnatakas 300 kilometer long coast Line has
one major port and ten minor ports. Karnataka is also home to an international community that
represents an emerging market for value added products. Karnataka is excellently connected to the
complete domestic market. There are five major airports, airports, 14 national highways and 114 state
highways and railways to help with domestic trade. Agricultural products that are grown within
Karnataka are therefore easily transported to different locations within the country.
3. University Of Agriculture in Karnataka:
The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS, Bangalore) was established by a legislative act in
1964. Since then, UAS has been instrumental in carrying out the Green Revolution impetus given by
the Indian Government for the agricultural sector. Several agricultural universities were established
throughout India after the legislative act came about in 1964; UAS, Karnataka grew phenomenally
and was later bifurcated into two agricultural universities. This happened because of the growth of
UAS, and need to serve the different agroclimates in different parts of Karnataka. The result of this
split is two Universities of Agricultural Sciences, one based in Bangalore, Karnataka and the other in
Dharward, Karnataka. UAS, Bangalore has been entrusted with territorial jurisdiction over 15
southern districts of Karnataka. This jurisdiction comprises nearly fifty percent of the total area of
Karnataka. UAS Dharward has been given jurisdiction over the remaining area in the northern
districts of Karnataka.
4. Karnatakas Policy on Sustainable Farming:
Given the current global warming crisis, the world is focused on using sustainable methods of
growing produce to prevent the use of chemical-based pesticides that harm the ozone layer. Organic
farming is also the solution that helps rural areas to be self-reliant in terms of development, nature
conservation and food production. This approach is based on the sustainable use of bio-diversity;
focus is on agriculture's contribution to biodiversity and vice versa. Indias outlook, culture and
economic life have been shaped by organic agriculture over the centuries. People were unaware of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides until after Indias independence. The use of non-sustainable
agricultural practices has resulted in serious environmental degradation and various health hazards to
mankind, animal kind, the countrys economy and also its biodiversity. Karnataka has therefore
adopted organic and sustainable farming policies since year 2005 with great success.

MARINE:

Database on marine water fishes of Karnataka

Data on marine fishes is essential for identifying fish resources which in turn are of great help in
formulating developmental plans or enhancing fish production as also adopt conservation measure.
Implementation and monitoring of protective measures ensure rich biodiversity.
Karnataka state is endowed with vast marine and fresh water resources. The state has 300 km of coast
line, 27,000 sq. km continental shelf and 87,000 sq. km of exclusive economic zone besides 8,000 ha of
brackish water area. The marine fish production potential is estimated at around 4.25 lakh M.T. per
annum. Prior to introduction of mechanical fishing crafts and gear, marine fish landings were around 0.18
lakh M.T. per annum. With the introduction of mechanized trawlers for harvesting bottom dwelling fishes,
and purse seines for pelagic fishes and gill netters for mid water species, the fish landing recorded a high
of 2.23 lakh M.T. (1996-97) in a span of about 22 years (1964-1996). In subsequent years, there was
gradual decline in fish catches and a low of 1.28 lakh M.T. was recorded in 2001-2002.
During the 1997-2002 there has been decline in fish catches have been observed and the average fish
production was around 1.70 lakh M.T. per annum, though a fleet of 7,000 mechanised and 19,000 nonmechanised fishing vessels are engaged in operating different types of fishing gear. The landings of some
fish species have shown significantly declining trend and keeping these facts in mind, certain
conservation measures are being enforced. Declaration of a 'closed season' for fishing during monsoon
(June to August) under Karnataka Marine Regulation Act is a welcome measure. Similarly banning the
operation of mechanised fishing vessels in a 10 KM radius of foreshore has set apart a 3,000 sq. km area
for traditional fishing and thus prevent over exploitation in foreshore water. The ban on exploiting brood
fishes during spawning season (Monsoon) and prevent catching of juveniles using small meshed fishing
nets are measures aimed to improve fish production in years to come.
Decrease in fish production is attributed to discharge of domestic and untreated industrial effluents,
detergents, oil spillage, indiscriminate fishing by foreign fishing vessels in E Z area etc. The marine
environment should be protected by strict enforcement of the Marine Fishing Regulation Rules and other
marine laws.
In Karnataka, mackerals, sardines, anchovics and other elupeids form the dominent pelagic fishing while
catfishes, Sciaenids, Perches, sharks and rays etc. constitute the deep sea fishing. Soles, and prawns form
the major demersal fishery.
There are 276 fishes inhabiting marine and estuarine waters along the West coast of Karnataka are
described.