Walnut Industry of Kashmir Under threat

Kashmir is known as land of walnuts. The walnuts of Kashmir are known for their superior quality and taste. They are locally known as 'akhrot' or 'doon'. Being organic in nature, demand of Kashmiri walnut in both domestic, and international markets increases. However, its production is decreasing every year. 

Kashmir enjoys its status as the major contributor of total walnut production in the country. Over 90% of the country's walnut production comes from Kashmir. In Kashmir walnuts are grown in Kupwara, Shopian, Baramulla, Budgam, Srinagar, Anantnag, and other hilly areas. There are three varieties of walnuts grown in Kashmir. These are locally called wonth, Kagazi, and Burzul. The Wonth is a hard nut to crack. It is mostly sold locally, and used for oil extracting. The Kagzi is a better sized walnut and thin outer shell. The Burzul is a medium sized variety.

Walnuts of Kashmir are demanded throughout the world, because of their quality and taste. The walnuts grown in Kashmir valley are considered organic, as no sprays and fertilizers are used. These walnuts have tremendous health benefits. Kernels are rich in omega-3 fatty acid, which may prevent heart disease and cancer. Nut oil prepared from walnut nuts is beneficial for women suffering from menstrual dysfunction. This industry also provides employment to lakhs of people in Kashmir.

The people in Kashmir associated with industry are facing a lot of issues at every stage, from planting, harvesting to marketing. There are many factors responsible for it. There is a shortage of quality plant material, poor orchard management, and long gestation period. Farmers are still using traditional methods. There is a lack of infrastructure like transport, power supply, roads, mandis, and packaging and processing facilities. The post harvesting methods used by the farmers are primitive, resulting in reduced productivity of the crop. Also, due to lack of export oriented policies, the exports have not grown much.

The domestic, and international demand of Kashmiri walnut has been increasing over the years. As in Kashmir production is decreasing day-by-day. We need to bring more area under cultivation, by providing quality plant material (High yielding varieties /strains), rejuvenate old orchards, develop cost-effective technologies, and improve facilities for processing. Government has also taken steps to implement sound policies to avoid further losses, and secure livelihood of associated people.

Ruhee Jon(M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K

 

Nund Rishi (RA) as sufi saint

 

Nund Rishi (RA), the founder of local Sufi order called the Rishi order. He (RA) won the hearts of Kashmiris by their integrity, virtue, simplicity and poetry. He (RA) also plays a magnificent role in preaching and delivering the message of truth and brotherhood.

Kashmir proves a suitable field for local Sufi Saints such as Zain-din-wali, Lal Arifa, Mukhdom Sheikh Hamza (RA). Sheikh noor-din-norani (RA) being a close disciple of Lal Arifa, plays a  pivotal role in inculcation of spiritual knowledge.He is   known as  Alamdari Kashmir (The flag bearer of Kashmir) and Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA)(The teacher of the world).

Sheikh noor-din (RA) is famous for his poetry and Islamic preaching. His poetry was used as a tool to spread the knowledge of absolute. His poetry is commonly called Shruks. The main subject of his poetry was Tawheed,Risalat and humanity. He categorically criticized the so-called Mulla's and other pseudo scholars. Sheikh-noor-din-noorani (RA) is also credited with translating the Quran in Kashmiri language. The teaching of Nund Rishi (RA) encourages unity, purity and safeguard the environment. He emphasis for importance of and conservation of living beings. His famous message regarding the conservation of natural resources in Kashmiri dialect; An poshi teli yeli Wonn poshi meaning Food will last as long as Forest lasts.

His teaching was preserved in Nur-nama. There are two prominent disciples of Nund Rishi (RA); Baba Bam-ud-din (RA), and Baba zain-ud-din (RA) both are of Hindu origin. Thousands of people embraced the teaching of Nund Rishi (RA) and became his true followers. He travelled village to village and spread the message of unity of God.

Barooj Ashraf (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K

 

Shrinking of Wular Lake

Wular Lake, the second largest natural freshwater lake in Asia, is situated in Bandipora district of Kashmir. The size of the lake is 16 km long and 10 km wide, but varies according to season due to varying water levels.The area of the lake has reduced from 157 sq. km to 86 sq  km in three decades. 

Wular Lake is located 50 km from the main Srinagar city. The lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 m. Its maximum depth is 14 m. The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity and the main source of water is Jhelum River.

 Wular Lake plays a significant role in the hydrographic system of the Kashmir Valley by acting as a huge absorption basin for annual floodwater. The lake with its associated wetlands is an important habitat for migratory waterbirds and supports rich biodiversity. Livelihoods of lakeshore communities are primarily dependent on lake resources, including fish and aquatic vegetation.

According to the action plan of Wular Lake (2007), the area of the lake was 217 sq km in 1911 which includes 58 sq km of associated marshes. Lake has shrunk to nearly half of its original area. The lake area has reduced mainly due to conversion for agriculture, plantation and encroachment on its shores. One fifth of the water holding capacity has been lost over the last three decades due to siltation.

 Lack of understanding of the values and functions of Wular Lake, wetlands have led to conversion of its large area. Agriculture settlements, willow plantations and government sponsored programs have led to shrinkage of the lake area. There is a need to adopt new guidelines of management and planning. Conservation measures should be taken as the lake is fast losing its aesthetic beauty.

Suhail Baba (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K

 

Dal Lake

A jewel in the crown of Kashmir

                                                                                                         

 

Dal Lake is sited in the heart of Srinagar city, in the mountains of Kashmir. It is the second largest lake of Jammu and Kashmir. It is shallow with a depth of around 6m. Currently it has an area of 16 sq km. previously it covered an area of 22 sq km, hence the area of this beautiful lake is shrinking.

Dal lake is a major attraction for tourism and recreation. Scenic views of the lake can be witnessed from the shore line Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh. The shore line of the lake, about 15.5 km is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal era gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels.

Dal Lake is also known as "Lake of flowers". It hosts a floating market where vendors sell their produce, directly from their boats. In some areas, swimming is popular as is canoeing and other forms of boating. During the winter months, there may even be the opportunity for skiing.  Dal Lake also offers some commercial uses such as fishing and weed harvesting for compost making.

Dal Lake has been encroached mercilessly and has already shrunk and polluted to an alarming level. Pollutants that enter in Dal Lake are sewage and sullage, agriculture runoff, detergents and soaps etc. Hence, it faces a serious pollution crisis.

Various effective measures should be taken for conservation of Dal Lake. Such as, afforestation of catchment area, installation of Sewage Treatment Plants, removal of house boats and hotels from Dal lake. Removal of excess weeds from Dal Lake on continuous basis. Educating villagers regarding the importance of construction of sanitation latrines, to prevent direct disposal of sewage into the Lake. All these effective measures will reduce the pollution and help to preserve this beautiful lake of Kashmir.

Sufiya Shabir (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K

 

 

Chinar

The heritage tree

Chinar, (Platanus orientalis) is a large deciduous tree and is considered as a living heritage of Kashmir. The shedding of chinar leaves marks the onset of autumn in the valley. The tradition of planting Chinars in Kashmir took deeper roots during the Mughal era. Today the chinar population in Kashmir is declining at a rapid rate.

Locally, chinar is called 'Boon' or 'Buen'. Chinar originally is a Persian word meaning 'blaze or fire' for changing its leaf color to red, yellow and amber during the autumn season. 

This majestic tree can be found everywhere in Kashmir and is very popular amongst the locals, who love to sit under its shade. Kashmir also has the World’s oldest chinar tree in Chattergam village of Budgam which is believed to be planted in 1374 by Syed Abul Qaim Hamdani (R.A).

Chinar trees were brought from Persia. Mughals were very fond of the tree and were thus declared as the 'royal tree'. Akbar alone is said to have planted around 1200 trees. Jahangir put forth the concept of Char Chinar (planting of four Chinars on four corners). 

Despite the laws imposed by the government like ban on felling and lopping of chinar trees, it is heartbreaking to know that illegal felling of these trees still continues. The population of the trees has dwindled down from around 42,000 in the 1970s to about 38,401 in 2007. People and administration cut down these trees for construction and for widening of roads. However, various efforts are taken by the state to revive this heritage. Chinar tree requires to be registered and considered State property. Each year Chinar saplings are being planted on 21st of March   (chinar plantation day).Removal of signboards installed on the chinar trees under Jammu and Kashmir Specified Trees Act, 1969.

The Chinars beauty is truly incomprehensible. I really hope that this legacy never dies and its trees always stand tall in all their magnificent glory.

                                                                                                                  Rahila Muzafar (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K

 

 

Kashmiri papier mache

A perishing art

Papier Mache is a French word meaning "chewed paper". The art of Papier Mache involves molding raw paper pulp into aesthetically pleasing objects. The valley of Kashmir is known for Papier mache. Unlike today, during earlier times one could witness the articles being sold at every nook and corner of the city. Unfortunately, the art is now vanishing from Kashmir.

This art form is primarily based on paper pulp, and is a richly decorated, colorful artifact; generally in the form of vases, bowls or cups, bases of lamps and many other small objects. These are generally made in homes or workshops, in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir.

In Kashmir Papier Mache originated in the form of making pen cases from paper pulp (Base). The qalamdans (pen cases) were in turn covered with floral or geometric patterns and finished with a coat of Rogan (Varnish). For this reason that the craft was initially referred as Kariqalamdan (the art of making pen cases).The art involves two processes: Sakhtasaazi (making of base product) and Naqashi (Painting) giving decorative touch, painting by fine hands for intricate designs done over it.

 Papier Mache has contributed a lot to the economy of Kashmir, but unfortunately this craft is becoming a part time activity. With new technologies and manufacturing techniques, the art of Papier Mache is slowly dying. The economic viability of the art has taken a hit due to machine carving and artisans preferring other jobs.

The end products generally have a higher cost because more time is involved to get the work. Lower quality, cheaper machine products have given a tough challenge to the sector, with artisans struggling to keep the sector going. People often prefer to buy the machine made products due to their lower prices. These are the bottlenecks leading to the dwindling of art from Kashmiri culture.

    Beenish Fayaz  (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K