J&K's Wullar lake rid of encroachments

the Jammu and Kashmir government launched a major eviction drive to remove encroachments from the catchment area of Wullar lake in Baramulla district. A vast piece of land was cleared in Magnipora village. But in the face of stiff resistance, the police and paramilitary forces had to burst dozens of teargas shells and even fire in the air to get the tract vacated. Fortunately there were no casualties.

Indus water row resurfaces

in a major development, the Jammu and Kashmir (j&k) legislative council has passed a resolution urging the Union government to review the Indus Water Treaty in the best interests of the people of the state.

High court verdict in Kashmir shahtoosh workers' favour

the Jammu and Kashmir (j&k) High Court (hc) has asked the state government to regulate the trade of shahtoosh shawl-making and shearing of Tibetan antelopes in such a way that the art and livelihood of artisans is protected.

Beyond the odds

The young volunteers of Jammu and Kashmir-based Nature's Oath to Obtain Reliance (noor) are deeply engrossed in a mission that started about a year ago as part-time activism: creating awareness about activities harmful to the environment, particularly among people living in remote areas .

Sharp reminder

the Jammu and Kashmir High Court recently passed an order directing the state government to effectively enforce the ban on sale and manufacture of shahtoosh shawls. Though the court had prohibited trade in shahtoosh shawls in 2000, the sale and manufacture of the shawls continued clandestinely. Shahtoosh is obtained by shearing the endangered Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsoni) or chiru.

Do the dirty on

Deer under threat

two incidents of recent deer deaths have brought home the stark reality that so-called protected areas are no longer safe havens for these animals.

Picturesque no more?

IN TERMS of its rapidly deteriorating air quality, Kashmir is fast catching up with Delhi. A recent study conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board (PCB) has brought to light the startling fact that vehicular pollution has reached alarming proportions in the valley. Experts fear that if the issue is not addressed post-haste, the situation may get out of hand.

Fund flow fraud

funds meant to depollute the Dal lake may have been embezzled. Rajinder Tickoo, Jammu and Kashmir vigilance commissioner, has alleged that out of the Rs 88-crore grant released to the state government, Rs 15 crore has been siphoned off by Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (lwda) officials in the name of integrated development of the lake.

Left high and dry

jammu and Kashmir is reeling under a drought-like situation that has wrought havoc with crop yields in the Valley. While it had taken its toll on paddy earlier, the dry spell has led to the failure of saffron crop now. The state's farmers have suffered heavy losses with almost 60 per cent of the total saffron plantation not yielding any produce in 2001.