Thursday, May 19, 2022
Monday, April 25, 2022
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
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
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