Kashmir
Kashmir’s turquoise crafts may fade into oblivion
Turquoise jewellery encapsulates Kashmir's rich cultural heritage. The traditional craft got severely impacted due to covid as many craftsmen moved to other jobs. Mohammad Hanief finds himself the sole torchbearer of this tradition today.
Tosha: A traditional sweet delicacy of Kashmir
Tosha is a sweet delicacy of the northern districts of Jammu and Kashmir. It was once the preferred sweet on special occasions but had since lost its appeal. However, over the last couple of years, it has witnessed a resurgence, and its demand has increased again.
Crafting Warmth for children
Abdul Rehman Mattoo is a 75-year-old blanket craftsman who has devoted his six decades to crafting blankets. Today despite his declining health and modest sales, Abdul Rehman persists in continuing his ancestral work at his workshop in Chattabal, Srinagar.
Gufkrals: Oldest caves in Kashmir
In South Kashmir’s Tral area, 3000-year-old caves, are still being inhabited by the potters who see these caves as their inheritance. These caves, according to archaeological survey were occupied for five periods and were utilized by the potters.
Dry winter hits Gulmarg tourism
Kashmir’s Gulmarg doesn't have much snow this season. A dry winter has been devastating to Gulmarg, one of Asia’s highest ski resorts, in India.
From Mud-walls to Wilderness: Inside Kashmir’s Nature School
Concerned by the degradation of the natural environment and widespread lack of environmental awareness, a lawyer, launched Kashmir's first Nature School, aiming to produce future environmental stewards.
Photos that reveal Kashmir’s hidden wildlife treasures
Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, a forest guard who joined the wildlife department reluctantly, is now a passionate photographer who wants to make people interested in the rich natural fauna of the region.
Homestays open doors to Kashmir’s final frontier Keran
Amid a captivating landscape, the homestays in Keran become a bridge across borders, inviting guests to feel at home in one of the remotest frontier villages in Kashmir
Kashmir stares at a saffron sunset
Pampore, the hub of Kashmiri saffron, casts a gloomy picture as production of the prized spice declines due to climate change, encroachment of fields, inadequate irrigation and intrusion of cheaper Iranian variants
Kashmiri women navigate success in water chestnuts
Locally known as Singhara, water chestnuts grow naturally on the margins of Wular - one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. From harvesting the produce to selling, it is an industry run primarily by women.
Kashmiri Muslims preserve ancient Shiva temple
The existence of an ancient Shiva temple in the predominantly Islamic village of Payer in Pulwama becomes a tale of communal harmony and historical preservation.
Kashmir’s walnut harvesters are in danger
Amidst the lack of proper protective gear and ignorance of safety techniques, the walnut growers in Kashmir urge for safer means of harvesting to avoid life-threatening accidents.
Kashmiri man’s plastic venture turns scrap into success
Manzoor Ah Dar, a 50-year-old from Anantnag’s Turka-Tachloo village, rose from a humble background devoid of formal education to become an inspiring entrepreneur
Kashmiri Muslims light up Hindu homes for Diwali
In Kashmir, septuagenarian Abdul Salam Kumar crafts diyas (clay lamps) for Diwali. Despite his age, he diligently fulfils a 20,000 diya contract beneath Zabarwan peaks near Dal Lake.
Kashmiri women influencers you need to follow
Women from rural Kashmir are challenging societal norms, one social media post at a time, in an inspiring wave of digital change sweeping through the region.
Copperware carves way for Kashmir women’s empowerment
Defying gender barriers, young women are training to be coppersmiths in Kashmir and working towards making their mark in a male-dominated craft sector to ensure social and financial empowerment.
Shielding trout from climate change in Kashmir
Fish farmers combat autumn dry spell with a groundwater harvesting technique that ensures a continuous, round-the-year flow of fresh, cold water vital for their trout.
What a ‘grape’ village!
Over 600 years ago, Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Wali praised Repora in Kashmir's Ganderbal district as 'Dachi Repora, Nazar chay cxopoor,' which means, "Repora grapes, your gaze extends everywhere." Today, Repora's vineyards are renowned for top-quality organic grapes, rivalling Italy.
Border tourism boosts Keran village
Standing on the banks of the roaring Kishanganga river, Keran has become a new tourism sensation in J&K bringing both hope and fortune to the villagers.
For the love of farming
Nestled among the lush apple orchards of Gagran village in Shopian district in Kashmir, Ali Mohammad Mir’s two-story mud house is a site for a thriving vermicomposting unit. The seventy year old farmer defies conventional farming practices and embraces eco-friendly entrepreneurship.