Karewa Deposits

In Context 

• Kashmir’s highly fertile alluvial soil deposits called ‘karewas’ are being destroyed in the name of development, much to the peril of local people

About Karewa

• The word Karewa in Kashmiri dialect means, “elevated table-land.” 
• This term was first used by Godwin-Austin (1859) and later by Lydekker (1878) for an unconsolidated to semi – consolidated sand-clay-conglomerate sequence. 
• These sediments occur as terraces, plateaus and mounds and rest over the Paleozoic-Mesozoic sediments of the Kashmir ‘basin’. 
  • Since the Paleozoic and Mesozoic sequences form the basement for the Karewa sediments, a short description of these is also included for a regional overview
• Most of the cultivated fields in the Kashmir Valley are situated on the Karewa sediments.
• Utility: 
  • They are thick deposits of alluvial soil and sediments like sandstone and mudstone. 
  • This makes them ideal for cultivation of saffron, almonds, apples and several other cash crops.
    • Kashmir saffron, which received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2020 for its longer and thicker stigmas, deep-red colour, high aroma and bitter flavour, is grown on these karewas.
  • The karewa sediments hold fossils and remnants of many human civilisations and habitations and are also the most fertile spots in the valley.
  • They are also being excavated to be used in construction. 

Source:DTE