Categories
BUSINESS

Floating village Kachri Mohlla – new attraction in Dal Lake!

Srinagar: Amidst the overwhelming tourist footfall this year, Kashmir tourism has added one more feather in its cap. Kachri Mohalla, a picturesque village in world famous Dal Lake has been developed as the floating village with home stay facilities.

The picturesque habitation nestled amidst the waters of the lake between Zabarwan and Kohimaran hills has made it to world tourism map. Conceived as the model tourist village, Kachri Mohalla a small village is being flagshipped as a tourism destination fully equipped with the state of the art facilities.

The Kachri Mohalla was developed as a Model village comprising home-stay and other facilities by Indian Army with support of some government departments. This would be a revolutionary transition for in influx of tourism towards inlands of Dal Lake. Subsequently government of Jammu and Kashmir would undertake five more hamlets for developing as Model Village.

The location is away from congestion and overcrowding which leads a peaceful, natural, serene homely stay. Experts said this would be major boost to tourism industry, employment generation and upliftment of the society.

According to official of the Indian Army,  who looked after the development of Kachri mohalla into model village, “the Jetty or Ghat has been developed near the destination and the houses of village have been painted to give aesthetic taste to the onlookers.”

“We also undertook the leveling of the ground and plantation drive. The labour involved in face-lifting the neighborhood was all from the locality and that has also helped in providing employment avenues for local population.”

The area has been declared as plastic free. Bestowed with the serene beauty and calm, the destination is projected as one of the better home stay abode in the valley as the place is away from the congestion and crowded commercial places. As the valley has recently seen the full occupancy of accommodation across the major tourist destinations, it is believed that the place is going emerge as a major crowd puller in Dal Lake.

“Conventionally the place has been almost cut off from the city for the lack of proper road connectivity. The development of the area as a model village will definitely help in proper connectivity with city on modern lines “, says Muhammad Afzal Moti, a local resident from Kachri Mohalla.  Moti further says, that the project has given the local population a ray of hope for better life.

Since the place is bestowed with natural landscape, the culture and tradition exhibited in the village provides on hands experience of local and natural lifestyle. Apart from having insiders feel in the village, there are many things tourists can indulge in. Angling, boating and swimming are another activities the people can enjoy from in the village.

As the houses in the locality glow in same colour for their “painted roofs and similar walls”, the beauty of the village serves a treat for the eyes of the visitors, who approach towards the village on water jetty. This is really a new look of the area. It is extraordinarily amazing! I have come here for a photoshoot, says a Majid Ali, a college student from neighboring town Pampore.

While the village is being projected as a major tourist attraction, local inhabitants are optimistic about future of the village. “They will come here, stay, buy consumables, handicrafts and our services. And this will surely help in generation of the employment in the area,” hopes Tasaduq, a young local.

Experts believe that the village with humble economic and educational parameters would see the boost in socio-economic indicators with robust tourism activity.

As the jetties with tourists move across lake from Boulevard to Kachri mohalla, the development of the floating village inside Dal lake is seen as an act of empowerment in the area. As the tourism activities picks up, the area will see more happiness and prosperity, believe the experts.

As Kachri mohlla emerges as the first model tourist village in  Dal, Tourism department along with other government agencies are mulling to develop four more such villages around the water body to increase the tourism avenues in the valley.

Srinagar Municipality Corporation has recently announced the development of cycle tracks in the area. According to an official from the corporation, the cycle track will come up under the smart city programme in the area and would cater to long pending demand of adventurists and cyclists from the city. The paddling activity in the area will add to the projected hustle and bustle around the lake.

Tourism community too is feeling buoyed by the tourism related developments in the area. People from the trade believe that it would provide more options of accommodation and sightseeing for tourists. They believe that such projects should be taken in other parts of the valley too.

While the boats and jetties  steer towards the interior neighbourhoods of Dal, tourism activities in Kachri mohalla, the first floating village of the valley are gaining momentum.

Categories
CITY

Hot Air Balloon-a new tourist attraction in Srinagar!

NASIR YOUSUFI

SRINAGAR: Known for its beautiful landscape and mesmerizing nature, the world famous Boulevard on the banks of Dal lake has come up with yet another tourist attraction. A multicolored-large sized contraption gliding in the skies hundreds of feet above the surface sends any onlooker into tizzy!

Yes, you have figured it right! Hot Air Balloon hanging mid air, over looking Zabarwan hills is a new adventurist sensation in Srinagar. The endeavor is gaining popularity among locals as well as tourists from other parts of the country. People in droves can be seen booking and waiting for their slots to glide through the air in the balloon.

“We have come to valley for the second time after a gap of about 15 years. It is as beautiful as it used to be. But we have seen this balloon for the first time in Kashmir. As soon as we saw it from hotel room, we decided to take our kids for its ride. My kids are so ex-cited to board the balloon,” says Dr Sidartha Gautam from Delhi, who along with his wife and two kids are waiting for their turn to have a dream ride.

As the balloon has turned into a major tourist attraction, the people associated with tourism are happy with in-creased tourism activity around the place.

Bilal Ahmad, a shikara owner near Zabarwan Park says that the contraption like aerospace has turned into an at-traction in the area. A good number of tourists who take the shikara ride here enquire about the balloon and we ask them to visit the booking counter in-side the park.

“The new adventure has increased their work also,” Ahmad says adding, the adventure has added to tourism ac-tivity in the area.

Run and operated by Highland Excursion India Pvt Limited , a company known for its niche in adventure tourism, the idea of facilitating a unique experience of gliding in hot air balloons to tourists has been conceived by a young entrepreneur, Ifshan Mehraj. Apart from air balloons, young entrepreneur is also successfully operating the raft and para gliding adventures in different parts of the val-ley.

“Earlier we had put the aero balloon on the same spot. But due to some reasons we had to wind it up in 2019. This year, we decided to give a unique experience to adventure enthusiasts around the lake and thus brought a hot air balloon here”, says Ifshan, CEO, High-land Excursions.

The young CEO says that the company plans to start such more ventures in future, as there is an encouraging re-sponse from the people to these activities in the valley.

Tourism authorities have been also supportive and provided all possible support to start the venture. There is a tremendous scope of adventure tourism in Kashmir, as the field still remains untapped, opines Ifshan.

According to Zuhair Hussain, Manager Hot Air Balloon Counter, the company arranges almost 30 trips into air, carrying about more than 100 visitors in mid air daily. There is a good response from the visitors and adventure en-thusiasts as the people need to book their slot sometimes days ahead of actual ride.

While deliberating upon the functioning of the balloon, Zuhair says that the contraption glides into air by means of hot air which is constantly blown into it through gas flames controlled manually. Though 5 to 6 people can be ac-commodated in the basket, we prefer to accommodate only 4 people and a pilot per trip. Zuhair says, the balloon rises about 200 feet from the surface giving a panoramic view of the city to gliders. Adding the company offers the adventure ride for a nominal amount of Rs 750 per head, Zuhair says that the rates are the cheapest ones in the coun-try.

As the balloon gradually rises high into the air, the team who manages it from the ground works hard to ensure the safety and protection of the people aboard the basket. Made from world class fire proof fabric , the balloon is equipped with sophisticated fire extinguishers and a trained pilots.

“It was a remarkable experience to have such a panoramic view of the whole lake and hills. It will stay back very long with me,” ex-claims Naman , a tourist from Gurjrat, after taking a ride in the balloon.

Amidst the increased footfall of tourists this season, the hot air balloon ride is emerging as a major crowd puller in the capital city of Srinagar!

Categories
SPORTS

Sringar boy paddles to Kargil to fight drug menace

NASIR YOUSIFI

SRINAGAR: Moved by increased incidents of drug abuse in the community, a nature lover takes to adventure to spread the message for humanity. With a slogan scripted clear on his T-Shirt against drug menace, adventurist goes on solo bicycle ride to and fro from Srinagar to Kargil.

Mir Itrat Hyderi, 27 year old young man from Bagwanpora area of Srinagar is an ardent nature lover and adven-turist. A business man by profession, Hyderi often slips into mountains for trekking and do bicycle riding at high altitude places. Though the adventure is a routine in his life, the young boy has recently shot to fame for his coura-geous and brilliant solo bicycle ride from Srinagar to Kargil and back. Completed in about 5 days from May 4 to May 8, the solo display of biking techniques and stamina from a young lad was overwhelmed by a beautiful message- ‘Save Humanity, Avoid Drugs’. Hyderi did not only carried his bicycle and biking techniques all along, But he car-ried the more important message regarding the drug abuse in the society.

“The main purpose of my solo ride was to spread a message against drug abuse in society. It is painful to watch the disgusting condition of some youth who are addicted to these drugs. The menace has devastated many lives and has put the honour of many families at stake. Through this ride, I wanted to reach the masses enroute to spread the message against the drug abuse in our society ”, says Hyderi, while explaining the main reason behind his long dis-tance bicycle ride. I want to tell the people especially youth that the world is full of beauty and worth to live. To-day’s youth can engage him or herself in constructive activities like sports, games, mountaineering and other nature enthusiastic activities. These activities are helpful in many ways. Apart from maintaining discipline in our life, these activities help in maintain physical as wel as mental fitness of an individual.

The main aim of my solo ride is to encourage youth to participate in activities which are a source of physical , mental an aesthetic development, Hyderi adds while elaborating upon the motive behind the bicycle ride.

Driven by his passion for adventure and unflinching regard for the youth of the society, A young businessman says that it took him about 35 hours and 30 minutes of actual paddling to ride to and fro from Srinagar to Kargil and back. Though few of my friends asked me get a new bicycle for this high attitude long distance ride, I intentionally rode on this very bicycle to show the youth that one does not need a high cost equipment for the purpose, But a will-power to achieve the goal. These days our youth ask for high cost sports and games equipment. But if there is a will, the goals can be pursued with meager resources too, the young adventurist Hyderi says.

Divulging details about his experience from the trip, Hyderi says that he has been overwhelmed by the positive response from the general public back at home as wel as enroute. While crossing the Zojilla pass, I was warmly greeted and treated by a group of food stall owners at Zero point. These people did not only offered me free food but also valued my endeavour of spreading the message for the common good.

“You have taken on to such a great task for the welfare of the humanity. How can we charge you for a tea or few loaves of bread? Please consider this a small contribution to humanity from our part” , said Showkat Ahmad, a stall owner and these words still echoes around me to my solace.

Recalling one more incident along the track, Hyderi says, that on reaching a village Chanigund near the Kargil town, I was greeted by whole village. Almost every one women, children and men from the village greeted me , hon-oured and respected me. I had printed the slogan ’Save Humanity, Avoid Drugs’ on five T-Shirts. And they took selfies and photos with all of them. The praise and warm regard I got from the village for this humane act is self mo-tivating and an inspiration for me in the future.

Hyderi says that in order to inspire the youth and inculcate a culture of nature enthusiasm in them, He is going to do more such adventures with the greater message for humanity in near future.

Categories
KASHMIR

Rohen Posh; festival of cleanliness of water bodies

NASIR YOUSUFI

SRINAGAR: On a sunny day in the first week of May, scores of people assembled in the outer edge of a village near a large spring. Equipped with wicker baskets and mosquito nets, they wade into apparently muddy waters of the spring. Amidst hue and chaos while pushing and dragging baskets and nets in the water body, hundreds  of people are actually celebrating the traditional festival of collective fishing in a famous spring of the village.

Situated in South Kashmir’s Qazigund on the foothills of Pir Panjal, Panzath Nag or  500 springs in local parlance is not only known for its aesthetic class and economic treasure, the water body has a mark of hosting one of the unique festival in the world every year.

Every year hundreds of people from Panzath and adjoining areas take part in a centuries old ritual of catching fish in a waist deep waters of Panzath spring. Called Rohan Posh,the festival of fishing is celebrated by hundreds of locals with zeal and fervour.  The tradition gains significance as the annual fishing festival serves the more larger agenda of environmental preservation. According to locals, along with fishing the people remove weeds and slit from the water body which keeps the water bodies clean. “These Springs are very sacred for us. They are source of our livelihood. Besides irrigating our fields, the water bodies are a source of aesthetic and recreational activities in the area, says  Zubair Ahmad, a college student from the area while referring to the famous spring in the area. According to legend the term Panzath means five hundred and nag means spring. It is believed that the area on the foothills of Pirpanjal mountains was a host to about 500 springs, majority of which have disappeared or dried up , Zubair explains. As our ancestors were very careful about the Mother Nature, they used to carry out annual cleaning of these springs. While removing slit and weeds in baskets, they used to catch fishes too. Thus the tradition passed onto new generations in the form of fishing festival, says Zubair while deliberating upon a major but unique festival in the area.

 As the hundreds  people split into groups pushing and dragging  the traditional fish catching tools collectively  to get their share, there is a friendly  competition among people  in waters  for the catch.

“I use to wait for this day throughout year. I have been coming to this festival since my childhood, says Abdul Majeed from adjoining village of Panzath, who has come this time along with his 10 year old son to participate in the annual festival. It is not only the fish that is our motive, the day provides an ample opportunity for  the people of area to mingle together  and socialize too, adds Majeed.

As the hundreds  people split into groups pushing and dragging  the traditional fish catching tools collectively  to get their share, there is a friendly  competition among people  in waters  for the catch. “we have been trying to catch the fish for half an hour, But so far of no avail, say two teenage friends equivocally. Fish or no fish, But we are enjoying the moment say the duo while pushing their wicker basket through the muddy waters of the spring.”

As most of the baskets or nets remain empty for  large number of catchers. Every participant may not able to get the fish but one thing is sure, every individual returns with a more valuable stuff, a basket full of weed, says Sajad Ahmad, a middle aged villager who participated in the traditional event. This kind of fishing is a unique experience as every participant in the event at least carries out the de slitting and de weeding of the precious water body in the area.

As the festival has cultural connotations, the preparations for the annual event begin days ahead in this South Kashmir village. From baskets, mosquito nets to availing leave from the routine work, people make special arrangements on the day. It is not only the men and children who take the centre stage, the women folk too make special arrangements for the day preparing delicacies and a variety of fish curry on the occasion.

We too enjoy the occasion. Along with the men folk, the females too celeberate the annual festival. Though, they do not go into water body for fishing , But they play active role in giving festive outlook to the village and occasion. Zaitoona Begum, a middle aged lady from the village says, the women always wait for the outcome of the event as men folk return home with baskets.

As the villagers enjoy the day in traditional way, the uniqueness of the approach to celebrate the cleanliness of the  water bodies makes the festival a precedence for sustainable life.

Categories
KASHMIR

Braving hardships, Mudasir among JKBOSE toppers

NASIR YOUSIFI

sRINAGAR: Braving hardships, a boy from interior habitation of Mir Behri Dal in Srinagar has fared bright in recently held JKBOSE class 10th examinations. Securing a place among the toppers, the feat of the young lad is seen as an achievement and a source of inspiration as he had to overcome many socio-economic hurdles to emerge among the toppers.

As the time slowly tickles to Post Meridian three in evening, a mark when the link for recently held JKBOSE examination result is supposed to open for public, the throbs, anxiety and nervousness among a group of students at a private tuition centre in the vicinity of Dal lake determines the significance of the occasion. Amid the curiosity and tense, the tense boy from the interiors of Dal lake throw his hands into air making a gesture of prayers as soon his friend announces his result. The fair complexioned boy has come off with flying colours.

Mudasir Hussain Bhat, a 14 year old boy with humble background has scored 490 marks out of 500. As per the result declared by Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education Kashmir, Mudasir scored  98% marks securing 11th position in matriculation examination.

“Right from the day one of the examination, I was hopeful of securing a rank as I wrote my exams  very well”,  says content Mudasir. I am very happy with the outcome of my hardwork. Thanks to Almighty , the results are as per my expectations, adds jubilant Mudasir.

Having read from one of the government run  school in educational zone Nishat, Mudasir was a student of Government High School Nandpora, Mir Behri Dal. Mudasir says this school has an important role in grooming his reading and learning skills. I am indebted to a selfless support from my school all these years.  Apart from teaching learning activities, the benevolent attitude of school has always been a morale booster, Mudasir says.

Born to a family with humble background, Mudasir faced multitude of hardships while continuing his studies in a local government school. From extreme poverty, dearth of resources to lack of modern day gadgetry like cell phone and proper data signal, the boy from the poor habitation of Dal had to face a stark reality of underprivileged life. Continuous closure of schools for pandemic COVID 19 added to the miseries of the impoverished boy, as he lacked the resources for any form of online education. Virtually living in a hardly accessible habitation of Moti Mohlla in the interiors of Dal lake, lack of regular power supply to the area also hindered his preparations, as Mudasir says he could not study during night hours properly under the candle light.

In addition to lack of resources, the boy has to take care of his bed ridden grandparents as his father goes to work.

 The  boy  with stark eyes reflecting confidence never allowed these hiccups to impede his studies. “He has  proved how hardwork pays in life. The resilient boy stood firm by his resolve and never let the odds to distract him from the track”, Says Mohammad Afzal , a college dropout from the locality while commenting upon the commendable achievement of the boy. According to Mohammad Qazim, 60 year old neighbour of the boy, Mudasir is the first student from the area to secure a rank among the toppers in matriculation examinations.

According to one of the teachers posted at government run school where Mudasir did his schooling, the boy is a brilliant student with a quest for knowledge. He is also an ardent fan of eminent scientist Elbert Einstein says the teacher who used to teach him from class 8th.

It is not that Mudasir is not interested in sports or hobbies, He too loves to play cricket. “He often helps me in daily chores and regularly fetches  the fodder for a goat  from surroundings”, says his father Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, a labourer by occupation. Bhat is hopeful that his son would accomplish more feats in the feature and would bring laurels for the family and mankind too. Mudasir’s mother a house wife is says that his son would excel in studies and turn out to be a game changer for the literally lagging habitation. She is hopeful that the government and  well off section from the society  will come forward to help her son to pursue quality education and career.

Mudasir’s achievement in examinations is doing rounds on social media too. A number of posts published from different social media handles praising the brilliant performance of boy outdoing poverty and resource dearth have went viral on internet, with many netizens pouring all kind of praises for the humble background boy. “You are really an inspiration for underprivileged class”, wrote a netizen on one of the posts on social media.

Categories
KASHMIR

Symbol of identity, Pheran becomes the cherished winter garment

NASIR YOUSUFI

SRINAGAR: Surfing between the different portals on her Smartphone, a young university student is apparently going through an intense thought process. Twenty three year old Sadiya Jan from Srinagar is in a fix whether to visit her tailor for winter apparel or order it online from a portal. After a long thought, She clicks the Buy button on one of the local e-commerce site selling ‘Pheran’, the popular winter apparel in Kashmir.

“I have to attend an engagement function of my cous next week. Keeping the rush of customers for ongoing winters in mind, getting the Pheran stitched from the tailor in time seems impractical. So I decided to go for an online order, as the collection on these portals is worth to buy ”, says Sadiya who is hopeful to get her order within a few days from the online vendor.

A long loose gown made from woolen cloth, Pheran is traditionally a unisex garment worn by both men and wom-en during the winters in Kashmir. Believed to have been derived from the Persian word ‘perahan’ equivalent to shirt in meaning. Essentially a survival tactics from inclement weather conditions in the valley, It is thought that the most used and cherished winter garment of Kashmir came to valley through the Persian travelers who invented the garment to get protection from cold. One more popular belief is that the Mughal emperor Akbar introduced the Pheran in the valley in the 15th century A.D.

Whatever the origin is, the cherished winter garment has come a long way since its inception in the valley. From old aged people to youth and children, during winters, the loose gown is a part of everyone’s dress in the valley. Pheran is not only the part of Kashmiri culture, over the years, the garment has groomed into a trendy wear becom-ing a part of fashion and modern life. Traditionally a dress used at home only, the winter garment has gradually carved it space in our home away life too. With new trendy and catchy designs hitting the market, the popularity of the Pheran is on a rise.

“Earlier one could see ,only the women folk wearing the apparel outside home. But now from teenagers to young girls, to spot a pheran in everyday life , stitched in latest design and color is a common trend ”, observes Dr Sham-shad, a sociologist from Srinagar. It is not only for the females, the pheran design used by the men folk has under-gone a transformation too. From body fit designs, Zip collars to big button pherans , markets are flooded with a varie-ty of Pheran designs for men too, adds Dr Shmashad.

With the increasing popularity of this special winter apparel, the Pheran has globally emerged as a symbol of Kashmiri culture and identity. A large number of students, workers and businessmen living outside the valley act as ambassadors of this cultural symbol to the world.

Politicians, local celebrities and Kashmir Diaspora in particular have been also instrumental in popularizing the Pheran. Kashmir politicians wearing Pheran in official meetings and during press briefs has helped in lending an official signature to Pheran. People living outside Kashmir in different parts of the country and world , proudly re-taining the winter ware as a part of their life style have popularized the winter garment globally. Local artists and models showcasing the prized Kashmiri Pheran also glamorize the Pheran. Last year a famous Kashmiri origin de-signer organized a ramp walk on the beaches of California with models flaunting different designs of embroidered Pheran.

The rising popularity of traditional garment linked with cultural identity of Kashmir has opened new market vis-tas for the people dealing with Pheran.

Mohammad Asif Malik, a young garment entrepreneur from HMT area in the outskirts of Srinagar has been mak-ing Pheran for last four years. He says that the sale of the winter garment has increased over the years. Making Pher-an for both men and women, 30 year old entrepreneur says that earlier he used to supply readymade Pheran to re-tailers and customers within the valley only. But this year, on the suggestion of a friend he started to showcase his products on a facebook page. Asif says, he has now scores of customers from outside the valley too.

Mohammad Asif is not alone, a female designer Shaista from south Kashmir’s Anatnag district has thousands of followers on her Instragram handle. She offers a home delivery of her specially designed pheran to customers. “In last two years , I have sold a good number of Pheran online. This season only, I have successfully delivered scores of Pheran outside the valley ”, Shaista says.

While cultural symbol of Kashmir, Pheran treads the path of global emergence, its market offline and online sees surge locally as well as globally.

Categories
BUSINESS

CHANGING TRENDS: Dairy farmers look beyond milk

NASIR YOUSUFI

SRINAGAR: As the valley witness bumper production of milk over the past years, the dairy farmers have taken to production of nature based home made dairy products. Be it curd, butter, ghee or cheese, the demand for these home preparations trends in urban Kashmir.

Equipped with two large canes, a man juggles door to door early morning in a distant village of South Kashmir. Most of the households scattered over a picturesque hamlet at Ladhu in south Kashmir’s Pulwama produce surplus milk. Ghulam Mohammad Lone , a middle aged milk vendor from adjacent locality regularly collects the surplus yield from the village. Lone does not resell the raw milk but he uses it to make paneer for the market. Lone says, He has found a new line to earn a livelihood.

Lately hundreds of dairy farmers are engaged in the production of homemade dairy products in the valley. Owing to the increased demand coupled with surplus yield, dairy farmers find extra cash in homemade milk products.

While demand for dairy produce across the country is growing, the price of milk and allied products across Jammu and Kashmir is also picking up. Seeing the grass greener, many farmers across the valley have taken to the produc-tion of homemade dairy products to capitalize on the increased demand.

Thirty kilometers away from Lone’s home, 45 year old Abdul Ahad Bhat pushes curd laden bicycle through subur-ban Srinagar. Every day, the old aged Bhat , flaunting a trimmed grey beard paddles twice through the lanes and by lanes in Ishber and Shalimar. While on the evenings, he purchases loads of raw milk from the households, Bhat spends the whole mornings in supplying the ‘Zamdud’ or curd to the market.

My single daughter and an elderly wife spend hours together to process the days collection. After boiling the milk for hours together, they distribute milk among ‘ vaer’ or earthen matka of different sizes and 15 litre buckets. After adding a pinch of ferment, the pots are left overnight to get the curd, says the septuagenarian.

Five year back, I used to sell raw milk in the market. But as the competition increased due to surging production, I switched to curd making. There is a good demand for curd. I sell about 100 units of curd packed pots every day, says Bhat, while delivering the value added milk to roadside eatery adjacent to a famous tourist spot, Mughal garden Shalimar.

The contribution of the dairying sector to the national income is invaluable. This sector helps in increasing the crop production by providing the drag power, organic manure and cash income on a regular basis,” said the experts. Ex-perts also say that it is very easy to produce milk in a green land like Kashmir.

Not too far from Shalimar , Mohmmad Aslam Khatana a middle aged man from Dara village has taken to the pro-duction of Ghee. Located in the foothills of Mahdev mountain peak, the remotest village in the Srinagar has good population of livestock. Area supplies hundreds of liters of milk to urban areas every day. Seeing the surplus sup-ply, like many others, Aslam has taken to the making of Desi ghee.

The increased level of health consciousness gradually creates a demand for the nature based food, the demand for homemade dairy products gets the boost.

A large number of customers prefer the home made dairy products. I usually sell the stock of homemade curd and butter within an hour in the morning. There is a growing demand for these dairy products. People often ask for these products. However, I can cater to few given the limited stock I get from a local dairy farmer. In particular, there is a dearth of desi ghee and butter in the market.

Towards the north, in Odina village of Bandipora, middle aged , Shakeela along with her husband , Mohammad Jaf-far Bhat runs a successful business of Cheese making. Within a few years, the family produces about a 300 kilograms of Cheese every day from hundreds of litres of surplus milk collected from cattle rearing households in the nearby villages. Like Shakeela, there are many dairy farmers who are taking to newer means of value addition to their pro-duce in the market.

“Jammu and Kashmir is producing 70 lakh litres of milk per day, also strengthening the public private partnerships, besides this Kashmir alone is producing 40 lakh litres of milk per day,” says Ms Purnima Mittal, Director Animal Husbandry Department Kashmir.she said Kashmir alone produces 40 lakh while as Jammu produces 30 lakh litres, respectively.

Categories
CITY

Bawlis around Khushalsar crave for life

Srinagar: Once a treasure of fresh water, the Pokher or Springs around Khushalsar are gradually losing their being. Craving for both the public and authorities’ intervention, these fresh water resources are facing the silent extinction.

Located on a corner of the densely populated Shehr-e-Khas or Down Town area of Srinagar, a fresh water body, Khushalsar is spread over acres of land, playing a pivotal role in water rich natural drainage system of the valley.

Around the perimeter of the oval shaped Khushalsar, a large number of springs in the midst of the habitations extend its waters.

Known locally as Pokher or Bawli, a nomenclature of Persian decent, these water treasures of recent past are at a verge of extinction for the constant apathy from concerned authorities and public negligence.  Once forming a network of fresh water supply to local inhabitants, the golden heritage of the city has turned into large pits harbouring human refuse and emanating stink.

At Amdakadal Jogiwan vicinity adjacent to Khushalsar, Srinagar, there is a large Bawli. Despite, fortified with a concrete work and iron fencing, the Bawli craves for life. The precious water resource is in a dilapidated condition emanating a foul smell and presenting a look of a large dustbin. “This Bawli had a clean and transparent water until recently. NALCO a local NGO had restored it a decade ago. People used to consume its water. Children used to take bath in a part of it. But the devastating floods during 2014 led to choking of its drainage system. Till date its defunct drainage has not been rectified,” says Ghulam Rasool, a local resident  while ruing both the public and government apathy towards these precious water bodies. These Bawli’s play a pivotal role in maintaining the balanced level of water in larger water bodies or Sars, adds Rasool.

President NALCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo says, that it is the duty of both general masses and the concerned agencies to protect and preserve the nature’s bliss. Civil society should also come forward to play their role in conserving this natural heritage.

As per records, there existed a network of Bawlis interwoven around Gilsar, Zoonimar, Eidgah, Narwara etc. But urbanization, horizontal expansion of houses amidst the lack of proper drainage system has led to their disappearance.  According to Altaf Hussain, a middle-aged local resident and nature enthusiast, there used to be about Hundred springs around Khushalsar, but over the time they have either disappeared or rendered defunct for the want of care and proper drainage system. Alluding towards a defunct Bawli at Kralpora, Zadibal, He further adds that the level of drains pouring out the water from these Bawli’s into larger water bodies or Sars has rose due to encroachment of Khushalsar and rapid urbanization.

Resultantly, sometimes there is a reverse movement of water into these springs, thus rendering the natural system into a mess.

“I used to take bath in this Bawli during my childhood. We had ablutions from its waters. Its water was very clean those days. It also quenched our thirst amidst the lack of proper tap water supply. But over the years, pollution and filling has rendered the water body useless and instead turned it into dustbin like structure ,” says Abdul Rasheed, while deploring the ruined condition of Bawli at New Colony, Zadibal. Despite repeated appeals to LAWDA, Municipality and others, the concerned agencies have so far failed to restore the glory of these springs, Rasheed laments.

Seconding Rasheed, the views of Syed Amjad from Gasiyar vicinity of Zadibal are same. Before thirty years, there was a proper natural drainage system which drained out the waters from these Bawlis properly. As these outlets are choked and raised now, the water in these bodies is stagnant. These Bawlis served a purpose during the past, but now they are a source of filth and foul smell especially in summers , rues Syed.

According to one of the official from Lakes and  Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), the department has carried few cleanliness drives of these water resources.

The condition of other remaining Bawlis is also shabby. At Abiyar, Zadibal, a bawli constantly emanates the foul smell from the human refuse stuck around the weeds grown on its seemingly muddy waters. At Narwara and other adjoining areas surrounding Khushalsar, these precious water bodies are craving for the attention and proper preservation.

President NALCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo says, that it is the duty of both general masses and the concerned agencies to protect and preserve the nature’s bliss. Civil society should also come forward to play their role in conserving this natural heritage.

Categories
BUSINESS

Pencil Village The Wood that goes in to the making of Pencils in India is supplied from Kashmir

Surrounded by apple orchards, emanating mouth watering aroma, a habitation in Vakhoo from Kakapora area of Pulwama has come to lime light for good reasons. Catching on the special wood from poplars grown in the wetlands of the district, the village is a hub of manufacturing pencil slates. Supplying 70% of processed wood to the pencil industry in India, Vakhoo has carved a niche in preparing the basic raw material for the writing stuff, earning an epithet ‘Pencil village of India’

 Pencil slate manufacturing units in Vakhoo   from Kakpora Pulwama give any onlooker the feel  of an industrial area. As the village witnesses a great industrial activity for thousands of workers, men and women engage in the processing of Pencil wood from their houses , since most of the units engaged with the trade operate from the local houses.

The process starts with the growing and felling of special poplars  that fetch the basic ingredient ‘wood’ for the slates. Laden with right amount of moisture, that makes it fit for the making of pencil wood,

the kind of a special poplar trees grows in abundance in the wetlands around.  After shearing the trees into cut size logs, the finest of wood is selected to make the Planks. These planks are then trimmed into five millimeter thick slates of standard pencil size.

The process does not stop here. After it has been seasoned into a particular size, the slates undergo a cycle of quality checks, ensuring the removal of knots if any and smoothing of rough edges. It is only after drying these slates stacked in a tall and wider ring patterns, the half processed pencils are ready to be packed. Packed  800 pieces in a bunch, these slates are dispatched in large nylon bags  to the respective destinations outside Kashmir says Mubashir Ahmad, a unit owner from the village, while explaining how these units process the wood for the pencil  industry in India.

Village supplies more than 70% of processed wood to pencil industry in India. Our main buyer is Hindustan pencils , the maker of  Natraj says, Manzoor Ahmad Allaie, pencil slate manufacturer and President of Pencil Manufacturing unit holders union, Kashmir. Off late, we have started to get orders from many Multi National Companies within and outside India, informs an enthusiastic entrepreneur Manzoor.

Apart from adding to the exchequer of Kashmir, the trade is a generous job creator. Large number of workers local as well as non locals, both men and women are employed in these units. Barkat Saw Mills owned by Feroz Ahmad has hundreds of people on its payrolls. “My unit provides job to about 200 people throughout the year”, says another unit holder , Firdous Ahmad. “I am happy that our endeavor is helping educated and unemployed youth to earn a respectable livelihood”,Firdous adds.

Women workers have their due share in the manufacturing activity. Along with the male counterparts,  a sizeable number of educated young girls are dispensing their services stacking, drying , packing the pencil slates. Keeping the records and operating the computers, some girls engage in the official activities in these units. “Despite being a college dropout, I earn a handsome monthly salary ”, says a content Shaheena, employed in one of the pencil slate manufacturing unit in Vakhoo.

Started decades ago, the pencil village in Pulwama can become the economic hub in the valley, provided  proper and sustained attention at administration level is paid to the trade, says Nissar Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir. “Twenty four hour electricity supply, provision of Government or personal land to the pencil slate manufacturing unit holders, Hassle free documentation and tax exemption are can be major encouragement to this budding industry”, says Nissar.

“Since this  school allied industry, creates almost five thousand jobs directly and more than ten thousand indirectly, government should actively think to downsize the present  GST from 12% slab to 5% slab applicable to essential goods”, Nissar demands.

According to some entrepreneurs from the village, lack of land to expand the operations is another hiccup in this potential job creating business. “There is large portion of government owned land vacant, adjacent to my unit. If provided on lease or purchase basis, I would have to double the employee size of my unit, since  large number of orders from many MNC’s are pending for the want of expansion of unit operations”, claims Manzoor Allaie.

The recent statement from the top officer of the district  Raghu Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama has encouraged us, says hopeful Manzoor. Deputy Commissioner , while speaking to the media  recently had announced that the village will be soon officially declared as the ‘Pencil village of India’.

Categories
WILDLIFE

Hangul – remains endangered

Srinagar: Rolling fingers gently over the pointed and branched  antlers, put at a display on the entrance of their grandparent’s home, two siblings Muafiq and Faizan often cherish the majesty of unseen red deer. Septuagenarian Mohammad Yousuf Wani, their grandfather recalls how occasionally ,’Kashmir’s prized animal’ used to stray in as close to their premises, while turning nostalgic on the mention of the animal. A spectre,  Muafiq and Faizan in their early twenties have never been able to witness unlike their grandfather at their  ancestral house in Barji Harwan, a small hamlet situated at a stone’s throw from Dachigam National Park, harbouring the world famous species of Himalayan red deer.

The Hangul or Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu) is the only subspecies of European red deer found in India.

Its limited distribution and small population  makes it a worlds critically endangered species.

With drastic decline in the numbers  over the years, the risk of its extinction looms large. IUCN Red Data Book, which records the list of species facing the risk of extinction, has declared this state animal along with Markhor and Chiru found in the himalyan ranges of J&K  as most endangered species.

Dwindling Numbers:

Pegged once at around 5000 in 1900 A.D, the population of Hangul has saw a constant fall over the decades. Counting carried out in 2017 by the department of wild life and protection in collaboration with other agencies, puts the number of Himalyan red deer as low as  182.

Annual Hangul counting started since 2004 using scientific methods estimates the population  at 197(2004), 153 (2006), 127 (2008), 175 (2009), 218(2011),186(2015) and 197(2017).

Hangul Population trends in Dachigam Landscape, 2004 to 2017.

Though  the last two decades have shown  some stability in the population estimates, the  low numbers put the state animal of J&K  at the constant risk of extinction.

Fragmented habitat, Inbreeding issues, poaching and poor female-fawn ratio are the main concerns faced by this unique species of Himalayan Red Deer.

In 2004, sex ratio was 19 males per 100 females  which dwindled between 21 males  in 2006, 22 males in 2008, 26 males in 2009, 29 males  in 2011, 22 males  in 2015  to 16 males per 100 females in 2017.

Fragmented Habitat and Inbreeding depression:

Once widely distributed in the mountains of Kashmir with the small population outside J&K  in the Chamba district of Himachal Pardesh , the Hangul distribution range has drastically declined , confining the animal to  141 sq Km Dachigam national park  only.

“Hangul is a long ranging animal. Earlier Its traditional habitat stretched  between Kishtwar to Gurez . Unfortunately this corridor connectivity has been lost to many biotic factors, leading to the inbreeding depression ”, says Dr Khursheed Ahmad Scientist and Head Division of Wild Life Sciences SKAUST Kashmir, while deliberating on the eminent causes of the decline in Hangul population.

“Disconnectivity among  the main set of population in Dachigam and the adjoining protected areas like Wangat, Shikargarh etc leaves the chances of genetic spread at ebb. Isolated population leads to the lack of population progression” adds Dr Khursheed.

Female Fawn ratio and predation:

In 2004, female fawn ratio was 23 fawns per 100 females .There were  9 fawns per 100 females in 2006, which remained unchanged in 2008. Then after the ratio swung from 27 fawns  in 2009,  25 fawns in 2011, 14 fawns in 2015  to 19 fawns in 2017, reveals the annual census exercises carried by the Department of Wild Life Protection, Jammu and Kashmir.

Very low fawn survival is attributed as  the  main cause of poor fawn female ratio.

 In addition, Biotic factors, fairly good population of  local dogs as wel as belonging to Security forces camped in the area, harsh winters, natural predation by leopard and fox and the coinciding of movement of livestock with the fawning season are other major factors affecting the fawn survival, explains Dr Khursheed. 

Conservation measures and some hope:

According to the renowned wildlife conservationist, M.K Ranjitsinh in her famous book ‘A life with wild life’, Dachigam national park is only hope for the critically endangered Hangul. “Shifting of the sheep breeding farm from the national park has a been a big step in conserving the whatever population has been left now” says the expert in his book.

“Shifting the sheep farm would result in more natural fodder for the animal” says an employee working for past 20 years in the department. “Proper feeding of the animals during winters in the form of dried Salix leaves and salt licks, when the prized species normally face scarcity of the fodder has also helped in maintaining  the numbers for last few decades” claims, the employee.

Establishment of 5 acre breeding centre in shikargarh Tral is another big project for improving the population of Hangul through In-Situ breeding. 

However, there is still a large way to go, adds Dr Khursheed. “Establishment of corridor connectivity between mainland Dachigam and adjoining relic protected areas, Conservative breeding programme , re-introduction programme and elaborate research are needed to increase the population of Hangul”, opines Dr Khusheed.

As the fate of world precious Kashmir stag still hangs in balance, Kashmir’s top wild life officer , Rashid Yahya Naqash, Regional Wild Life Warden Kashmir has a message for public on the eve of wild life week celebrated annually from October 1 to October 7.”The department seeks cooperation from public at large  to save and conserve the wild life especially the priced Hangul ”, appeals Rashid.

Amidst the efforts and appeal, the likes of Muafiq and Faizan in particular the nature lovers long for the smooth and durable survival of the Kashmir’s pride.

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