Latest news with #Pampore
CNA
20-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Kashmir's farmers revive saffron cultivation indoors as climate change hits
PAMPORE: Farmer Irshad Ahmad Dar is worried about the future of his 'red gold' crops in the town of Pampore, the heart of India's saffron sector. He makes his livelihood growing and selling saffron – the world's most expensive spice – but crop yield in the Jammu and Kashmir region is facing a steep decline. The bright purple flowers, which used to flourish in the area, have in recent years struggled to grow due to climate change and erratic weather conditions. 'The crop no longer receives timely and adequate rainfall necessary for its growth,' Irshad told CNA. He sells his red-hued threads for US$4,600 per kilogram, higher than the global average. The region boasts the priciest saffron in the world, with its quality – rich colour and intense aroma – giving it premium value. KASHMIR'S RED GOLD It takes 150,000 flowers to produce 1kg of saffron -- fragile strands of crimson and fragrant filaments laboriously picked by hand from saffron bulbs. The spice is used in foods such as paella, as well as in fragrances, dye and medicine. In India, the industry is estimated to be valued at about US$45 million. Jammu and Kashmir produce about 90 per cent of India's saffron, of which a majority is grown in Pampore. It is the third-largest saffron-producing region on the planet, after Iran and Afghanistan. But Kashmir's crops, already dwarfed by that of Iran's which commands about 90 per cent of production worldwide, are dwindling even further. Production has withered from nearly 16,000kg annually in 1997 to 2,600kg last year – a drop of more than 80 per cent. Aside from global warming, fields cultivating the highly prized spice are also under threat from rapid urbanisation, and damaged by wild animals driven to farmlands by deforestation. Indian authorities have vowed efforts to boost production. BRINGING SAFFRON INDOORS In 2018, scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) tried to cultivate the crop in laboratory settings, using tubes containing moisture and vital nutrients. It was hoped that bringing the crop under controlled conditions can alleviate the challenges of harsh weather elements and wild animals. The experiment showed early promise across the sprouting, flowering and harvesting phases, and the method has been shared with traditional growers. However, farmers are struggling with propagation. Bashir Ahmad Ellahi, lead researcher at SKUAST's indoor farming experiment, said the project is still ongoing, and has shown that a controlled environment significantly reduces the risk of crop failure In contrast, farmers in the state of Haryana – some 500km south of Kashmir – have reported more success. "We created an artificial environment without using expensive equipment,' said indoor saffron cultivator Naveen Sindhu. '(We) adopted low-cost heat sheets to control the temperature and installed an air conditioner, a chiller and a humidity controller.' Naveen and his brother grow saffron in an indoor farm in the town of Hisar. They said they tasted success in their second attempt after learning from mistakes in the first failed batch. They price their saffron at around US$6,300 per kilogram, earning more than US$23,000 a year. The Indian government also has its sights set on transforming the northeast of the country into another saffron hub. Since 2021, its Mission Saffron initiative has expanded farming across the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, with plans to grow the spice even further.
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- India Gazette
Srinagar Police files case over online provocation, false information
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 9 (ANI): Srinagar Police has initiated legal proceedings against individuals accused of circulating false information and inflammatory content on social media, following recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Taking on X, Srinagar Police stated that it had initiated legal action against online provocation and false information prejudicial to peace and public order.' 'It has come to the attention of credible agencies that certain unidentified individuals, acting in furtherance of a larger enemy design, are systematically disseminating misinformation and inflammatory content on various social media platforms amidst the current rise in tensions between India and Pakistan. Preliminary findings indicate that these posts contain fabricated narratives, distorted facts, and sensitive information about ongoing covert operations within Indian territory. The unauthorised disclosure of such information poses a serious threat to national security and serves the strategic interests of hostile elements. The content being circulated is deliberately crafted to spread confusion, incite fear, and provoke unrest among the public. Initial assessments suggest that the dissemination of such material has already caused concern within sections of the civilian population and holds the potential to disrupt public order,' the Police said. Given the gravity of the situation and its impact on national sovereignty, unity, and security, Srinagar Police has identified the accused, Inayat Hussain Rather Shalina, Pampore, Rather Arif (Wanpora, Anantnag, and Sheikh Umar Farooq from Ichgam, Budgam, the post further added on X. In this connection, case FIR No. 14/2025 under sections 197(1)(d), 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered in PS Shergarhi, and investigation has been initiated to apprehend the individuals responsible for these unlawful activities. The general public is urged to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing unverified information on social media. Any suspicious activity or content may be reported to the concerned authorities for prompt action. Srinagar Police says it remains committed to preserving peace and ensuring the security of all residents. Any individual found promoting violence, disruption, or unlawful activities will face stringent legal consequences following the law.(ANI)
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pakistan military says 26 killed in Indian attacks
At least 26 people were killed in Indian attacks on Pakistani targets, the Pakistani military has said. A statement from the military also said that 46 people were injured. Earlier, India launched missile strikes across the border into Pakistan, claiming to be targeting the hideouts of militant groups behind a late April attack in the disputed region of Kashmir in which at least 26 civilians were killed. At least three civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling in the Indian-controlled part of the disputed Kashmir region, according to Indian reports. A person receives treatment for injuries sustained during a suspected Indian missile attack at a hospital in Bahawalpur, following missile strikes by India on cities in Pakistan, as reported by the Pakistani military's Inter Services Public Relations. Hussain Ali/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Security personnel cordon off the area following a plane crash in Pampore, as tensions rise after India launched air strikes on Pakistan on May 7. Basit Zargar/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Wreckage of Indian Air force fighter jet after fell down in Wuyan Pampore south kashmir. India launched airstrikes on Pakistan. Basit Zargar/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Indian Air Force personnel arrive at the Wuyan area of Pampore, where an unidentified fighter jet reportedly crashed after India launched 'Operation Sindoor,' striking nine sites in Pakistan. According to Pakistani officials, the missile attacks killed at least eight people and wounded more than 35, with Islamabad vowing a robust response to what it called an 'act of war.' Saqib Majeed/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
