India has discovered the world’s seventh-largest lithium reserves in the northern region of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This discovery has come as a surprise to many, as India was not known to be a significant player in the lithium market. The mineral is widely used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and other electronics.
Lucky day for India?
The region where the reserves have been found is part of the Ladakh area in the eastern Karakoram range. The area has been under Indian control since 1947 and is currently administered as a union territory. However, Pakistan, which also lays claim to the region, has opposed the Indian government’s announcement of the discovery.
India’s new discovery is expected to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on lithium imports, which is currently about 80% of the total demand. This move is in line with the Indian government’s goal of increasing the share of electric vehicles in the country’s transport sector. The Indian government has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% electric mobility by 2030.
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Concerns of human rights activists and environmentalists
The discovery of the lithium reserves in the disputed region has raised concerns among human rights activists and environmentalists. They argue that mining operations in the area could lead to environmental degradation and harm the local population. The region is known for its fragile ecology and is home to several endangered species, including the snow leopard.
India’s discovery of lithium reserves in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir is a significant development for the country’s efforts toward electric mobility. However, it is essential that the government takes adequate measures to ensure that mining operations do not harm the environment or the local population. It is also crucial for the government to resolve the long-standing territorial dispute with Pakistan to avoid any potential geopolitical implications of the discovery.
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