The animal was tranquilised in Dachigam National Park in November 2025 and relocated to the Tral facility in a planned operation carried out by the Department of Wildlife Protection.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Wildlife Warden for Central Kashmir, Parvaiz Ahmad said, “The ex-situ Hangul conservation project was restarted in 2023 with the introduction of two female Hanguls. Three more females were habituated in 2024. With the arrival of a male, the centre is now ready to begin breeding.”

Ahmad said the relocation was completed within an hour using camera traps, salt licks, nets, stretchers, and an ambulance, with veterinary supervision to ensure the animal’s safety.

The 2.5-hectare Hangul Breeding and Conservation Centre was developed to address low fawn survival, a key factor behind the species’ decline due to predation and human disturbance in the wild.

Wildlife Warden for Pulwama-Shopian, Suhail Ahmad Wagay, said, “After remaining in a preparatory phase since 2023, the facility is now fully operational with a balanced male-to-female ratio.”

Wagay said the programme aims to improve fawn survival and increase recruitment into the wild population.

Under the plan, fawns will be raised in a controlled environment until they reach the sub-adult stage, after which they will be released.

The facility is secured with chain-link and solar-powered fencing, controlled entry gates and surveillance systems to prevent access by predators such as leopards and feral dogs.

Security was strengthened after a previous attempt failed in 2011, when a Hangul was killed in a leopard attack, leading to the suspension of the project.

The animals are provided a regulated diet, and their behaviour, feeding and breeding activity are monitored through CCTV cameras.

Health checks, including regular deworming, are conducted by a veterinary-led team.

The Hangul, the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir, is a Central Asian red deer species found mainly in Dachigam National Park near Srinagar.

Once numbering between 3000 and 5000 in the early 1900s, the population declined sharply due to habitat loss, poaching, and disturbance.

A 2008 census recorded just 127 Hanguls.

Recent conservation efforts have led to a gradual recovery, with numbers rising from 261 in 2021 to 289 in 2023.

The latest census in 2025 recorded 323 animals.

Recognised as a distinct species in 2017, the Hangul is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Officials said conservation efforts now focus on habitat protection, scientific management, and controlled breeding to stabilise and increase the population.

The post Male Hangul relocated to Tral breeding centre, herd complete appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The road serves as an alternate link to the highway, connects NH-44 at multiple points between Qazigund and Lower Munda, and provides access to the tourist destination of Verinag and the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag campus at Dialgam. Locals say thousands of commuters use the road daily.

“We have seen significant improvement in road infrastructure across the region over the last five to six years, but this major road has been left out,” said Zahoor Malik, chairman of the Shahabad Development Forum.

Malik said the road is critical for mobility in South Kashmir. “It runs parallel to NH-44 and connects it at several places. The population depending on this stretch is nearly 300,000, and thousands of vehicles use it daily to access the highway,” he said.

He urged the government to grant the road National Highway status and extend it toward Doda to improve regional connectivity.

The Dooru Citizen Forum also raised concerns over the condition of the road, saying it has seen little change for decades.

“The status of the road is the same as it was 70 years ago. No widening or upgradation has been carried out,” said forum spokesperson Javaid Khan. He said the narrow carriageway leads to frequent traffic jams and creates difficulties for commuters, traders, students and emergency services.

Residents living along the Anantnag–Doru–Verinag corridor said daily travel has become increasingly challenging due to congestion and safety risks, especially during peak hours.

“This road leads to Verinag, which is a major tourist destination, and also to the GMC Anantnag campus at Dialgam. Considering its importance, upgradation of the road is urgently needed,” said Altaf Ahmad, a local resident.

Civil society groups and residents have urged the government to prioritise the widening and upgradation of the ADV road.

Responding to the concerns, Executive Engineer, Roads and Building (R&B) Dooru, Manzoor Khalid, said a proposal for upgradation of the Anantnag–Doru–Verinag road has been submitted under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).

“Out of the total 30 Kilometers of the road, about 20 Kilometers fall under the Dooru R&B division, while the remaining stretch falls under the Anantnag division,” Khalid said.

He said the detailed project report (DPR) for the Dooru division has pegged the cost at Rs 180 crore. “

Another official said an additional Rs 70 crore approximately has been proposed for the road falling in Anantnag division, taking the total project cost to around Rs 250 crore.

He said that the project includes several bridges too.

However, the official did not specify a timeline for approval or execution of the project.

“The compensation to the people whose houses or land will be acquired during road widening is on the higher side; that is the reason the project is not taking up,” he said.

The post Civil society calls for upgradation of 30 Km Anantnag-Doru-Verinag road appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Placards reading ‘save Vaishaw Nallah,’ ‘save water bodies, ’ ‘stop illegal mining’, and ‘save fishermen’, were displayed as locals demanded an immediate halt to the use of heavy machinery for extracting sand and boulders from the stream.

“This river is a lifeline for Kashmir,” said a local environmental activist, Yasir Ahmad. “We are not opposed to legal mining, but unscientific extraction in violation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders and Jammu and Kashmir mineral rules must stop.”

The Vaishaw stream, a major tributary of the Jhelum, originates from the Kausarnag-Aharbal area and joins the river at Sangam.

It carries the highest discharge among Jhelum’s tributaries and supplies nearly six million gallons of drinking water daily to more than 100 villages in south Kashmir.

The stream also supports agriculture, horticulture, and fisheries across Kulgam and parts of the Anantnag district.

Residents alleged that heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, LMTs, and cranes, is being used indiscriminately, often during the night and wee hours, to extract riverbed material.

“There is no objection to limited manual extraction at designated sites,” Ahmad said. “But deep mechanised mining has lowered groundwater levels and polluted the water.”

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in August 2024 took cognisance of a December 16, 2024, Greater Kashmir report, ‘Vaishaw stream gasps for breath amid mining, pollution.’

The report documented how unchecked mining, agricultural runoff, and waste discharge were rapidly degrading the stream.

The matter is pending before the tribunal.

The report warned that continued deterioration could threaten trout and other sensitive fish species, compromise drinking water supplies, and increase flood risks in downstream villages.

Licensed fishermen said their livelihoods have been severely affected.

“We depend entirely on trout fishing,” said fisherman Sajad Ahmad of Pahloo village. “Polluted water and damaged aquatic life have reduced our catch.”

Residents also raised concerns about garbage dumping along the streambanks.

“There isn’t a proper dumping yard or waste segregation system,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local. “People are forced to dump waste near the stream, worsening pollution.”

Locals warned that excessive mining had weakened river embankments, increasing the risk of flash floods.

“Deep mining makes embankments fragile,” said Sayar Ahmad. “Entire villages could be washed away, like what happened during the 2014 floods.”

Environmental experts cited in earlier reports cautioned that mining during the trout breeding season, combined with pesticide-laden runoff and illegal extraction, has sharply reduced fish populations, degraded water quality, and heightened long-term ecological and disaster risks.

Residents urged the authorities to strictly enforce environmental regulations and protect the Vaishaw stream before the damage becomes irreversible.

The post Fishermen, locals rally to save Vaishaw stream from illegal mining appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The move follows a representation by Congress legislator Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who has urged the Centre to develop the road as an alternative all-weather link between Kashmir and Jammu through the Pir Panjal range.

In a written response to Mir, accessed by Greater Kashmir, the ministry said that proposals to notify state roads as National Highways are assessed based on connectivity requirements, National Highway norms, and alignment with the PM Gati Shakti framework.

“I have directed the concerned officers to examine your proposal in the light of the above guidelines,” the ministry said.

In his letter to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Mir described the road as being of “strategic and national importance” and sought its declaration as a National Highway, followed by preparation of a detailed project report by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

“The road serves as a reliable all-weather alternative to NH-44, which remains highly vulnerable to frequent landslides,” the letter said, adding that the corridor would link south Kashmir with the Chenab Valley and strengthen regional connectivity.

Mir said the route could serve as a dependable alternative to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, particularly during frequent closures of the Banihal-Ramban stretch.

“This is the shortest possible road to the Chenab Valley and Jammu,” he said. “Being a hard-rock road, it is less prone to landslides, shooting stones, and avalanches.”

Mir said the road would benefit fruit growers, traders, yatris, and the defence movement.

“It can be used for fruit trade, yatra, and defence logistics,” he said. Mir said he first took up the project in 2014, but it failed to progress after a change in government.

He urged the Centre to either declare the road a State Highway and hand it over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, or notify it directly as a National Highway under NHAI.

According to Mir, the road could be developed as an extension of the Bani-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda road network.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad have also acknowledged the importance of the route, he said.

On the Kashmir side, the road is currently motorable beyond Hengipora up to Habal Mundu in Kapran.

On the Jammu side, it is almost fully motorable beyond Manjami to Gayi and Mangal-Thata.

Earlier, the road was motorable only up to Manjami, forcing residents of the Desa area to trek about 35 km to reach Doda town.

Despite repeated correspondence, the project has seen little progress. In April 2023, the office of Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh wrote to NHIDCL highlighting the road’s importance as an alternative Kashmir-Jammu link, but no follow-up action was reported.

An NHIDCL official said the agency cannot prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) unless the road is formally declared a highway.

Officials of the Roads and Buildings Department said delays in finalising DPRs had further stalled the project.

A senior official said the preliminary DPR for upgrading the 47-km Kashmir stretch had remained under review for more than nine years, with the initial cost estimated at about Rs 210 crore, excluding a tunnel.

The proposal dates back to 1958 during the tenure of Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad and gained momentum in 1966 following an agitation by Doda residents.

Former chief ministers Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, and Mehbooba Mufti later supported the project. In 2016, former chief minister and then Member of Parliament Ghulam Nabi Azad also sought National Highway status for the road.

Once completed, the route would link the districts of Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar with Anantnag in south Kashmir, reducing the Srinagar-Doda distance by nearly 90 km.

A tunnel across the Pir Panjal is considered critical for year-round connectivity.

Although a 7-km tunnel near Gayi in Desa was announced in 2009, a survey has yet to be conducted.

“This is the shortest and safest route to Kashmir,” said Ishtiyaq Deva, an activist from the Chenab Valley. “A tunnel would make it all-weather and boost tourism in the region.”

Chairman of the Shahabad Welfare Forum, Zahoor Ahmad Malik, said he had met Gadkari several times.

“The minister’s position has been that once the road is declared a highway, the project can move forward,” Malik said.

Greater Kashmir has reported on the project’s importance and lack of progress for more than a decade.

The post Breaking Bottleneck Beyond NH-44: Long-stalled Pir Panjal road project back in focus appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Along the banks of the Lidder River, families posed for photographs, newlyweds lingered by the rushing water, and pony handlers once again called out to passersby – scenes that had largely vanished for months after an April attack at the nearby Baisaran meadow triggered widespread cancellations and left the resort unusually quiet.

For first-time visitors like Vaishnawi, 24, from Madhya Pradesh, the experience has been reassuring.

“This is our first visit to Pahalgam, and we are completely taken in by its beauty,” she said during a stroll through the main market with her family. “We were initially a little hesitant because of what happened earlier this year, but once we arrived, all our fears disappeared. People here are incredibly warm and caring.”

Vaishnawi said her family arrived three days ago and plans to visit Gulmarg and Sonamarg next.

“We feel very safe and comfortable,” she said. “It feels like home, just colder.” Nearby, a group of tourists from Bhopal chatted with pony handlers offering rides toward the surrounding meadows, a welcome sight for locals who depend on the short tourism season.

“The weather is beautiful, and the mountains are mesmerising,” said Shurbhi Shah, 30, who is visiting with her husband and children. Though her family is settled in Germany, Shah said Kashmir offered a unique experience.

“We went to Aru Valley to see the snow,” she said. “The snow-covered meadows and the river flowing through them felt heavenly.” She also praised Kashmir’s clean air and local cuisine.

“There’s no pollution like in other cities, and we really enjoyed the traditional Wazwan,” she said.

Tourists from Maharashtra, West Bengal, and South India have also begun arriving in increasing numbers.

Among them is newlywed Irfan Ahmad, 25, who is visiting Kashmir with his wife for the first time.

Sitting by the Lidder River near Pahalgam’s main market, Ahmad said the couple underestimated the cold.

“It’s still very hot back home, with temperatures hovering around 35. So, we weren’t prepared for this weather,” he said with a smile. “We had to buy woollens here, but seeing snow for the first time in Aru Valley and Chandanwari made it worth it.”

For local businesses, the return of tourists has brought cautious optimism. “After the April incident, bookings dropped sharply, and many hotels stood empty,” said hotelier Ibrahim Raina. “Now, with the New Year, we are seeing a gradual increase in arrivals. Our priority is to make guests feel safe and welcome.”

Pony handlers, restaurant owners, and shopkeepers say the revival, though slow, has lifted spirits.

“This place had gone silent,” said a pony handler as he adjusted his saddle. “Seeing tourists return has given us hope again.”

Sabzar Ahmad, who manages a local restaurant, said the town is looking ahead with confidence.

“We hope the New Year brings more visitors,” he said. “Pahalgam’s beauty speaks for itself, and we are ready to host guests once again.” Tourists were also seen enjoying a winter carnival organised by the Pahalgam Development Authority in collaboration with the Tourism Department. Local artists and artisans showcased Kashmir’s cultural heritage through traditional music, dance, handicrafts, and cuisine, attracting tourists.

The post Pahalgam springs back to life appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The protest comes days after railway authorities conducted a survey in the village for the proposed rail alignment, triggering concerns among locals that the project would consume large stretches of agricultural land and houses. “We are not against the railway line or development, but this alignment will destroy our orchards, paddy fields and even our homes,” said Ajaz Ahmad, 35, a resident of the village. “This project will snatch our livelihood and leave us homeless.”

Joibal area of Veeri village is home to around 100 households, most of whom depend on horticulture and agriculture for their income. Villagers said they have already lost a significant portion of land to the proposed four-lane Uranhall–Pahalgam highway, which is planned as a bypass to the existing Khanabal–Pahalgam (KP) road. “Earlier our land was taken for the highway. We did not oppose it much,” Ahmad said. “But now, taking our remaining land and houses for the railway has shattered us.” Another protester, Shahid Farooq, 30, said even educated youth in the village rely on farming and orchards for sustenance. “Most of us depend on horticulture and paddy cultivation,” Farooq said. “If that too is taken away, where will we go?”

Women also participated in the protest, expressing fear of displacement and loss of livelihood. Nayeema, a local resident, said her family has lived in the village for generations. “We are a family of 12. Where will we go?” she said. “We don’t want compensation. We want to live in peace and protect our livelihood.”

She said the village survives on agriculture and paddy cultivation. “Our generations have depended on orchards and paddy fields,” Nayeema said. “We live hand to mouth.” The protesters demanded intervention by the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor to stop the project or change its alignment.

Supporting the villagers, National Conference MLA from Bijbehara, Syed Bashir Ahmad Veeri, termed the proposed railway project ill-conceived and against public interest. “This project is ill-planned and against the interests of the people,” Veerai said. “First of all, why is there a need to take a railway line to Pahalgam? And even if it is taken, there is sufficient land available along the banks of the Lidder river.” “Why should the agricultural land, paddy fields, orchards and homes of the people be snatched?” he asked. Veeri said he has written to the chief minister seeking intervention and would lead a delegation to New Delhi if required to present the grievances of the villagers. Last year, residents of Dirhama village in Bijbehara had also protested against the same proposed railway project, saying it would cut through their orchards.

The post Bijbehara village residents protest proposed rail line, fear loss of orchards, paddy land, homes appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

In 2025, the mountains reclaimed the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Repeated landslides and floods shut Kashmir’s only highway for weeks, exposing how aggressive construction, fragile geology, and ignored warnings turned the highway into a collapsing lifeline.

The highway, Kashmir’s only surface link to the outside world, endured one of its most turbulent years in 2025, repeatedly disrupted by landslides, flash floods and shooting stones despite being touted as an all-weather road.

The year’s warning signs appeared early.

In April, incessant rainfall triggered landslides at more than 20 locations along the Banihal-Ramban stretch.

Several vehicles were buried under debris, some were swept into the Chenab gorge, residential houses collapsed, and three people were killed.

The highway remained closed for over three weeks, cutting off Kashmir completely.

The situation worsened during the August-September monsoon, when intense rainfall and cloudbursts battered large parts of Jammu.

While multiple districts reported damage, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained repeatedly blocked, forcing long detours and trapping travellers for days.

In early September, massive landslides and flash floods severely damaged the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Bali Nala and Thard in Udhampur district, forcing repeated closures for several days.

The highway stayed shut for nearly 45 days during peak trading months.

The extreme weather also triggered deadly flash floods across Jammu’s mountainous districts, including Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi, and Kathua, where over 200 people lost their lives.

The most tragic incident occurred in Kishtwar’s Chasoti village of Paddar in August, where a flash flood during the Mata Machail Yatra swept away more than 80 yatris and locals into the Chenab River.

“These were not random events,” a senior official said. “The damage followed a pattern, especially where the terrain had been heavily disturbed.”

ECONOMIC LIFELINE DISRUPTED

The repeated shutdowns severely affected Kashmir’s economy.

Apple trucks heading for markets outside Kashmir were stranded for days, leading to large-scale spoilage.

“Fruits rotted on the highway, and shortages pushed up prices of essentials,” said Ajaz Ahmad, an apple trader from south Kashmir.

Supplies of fuel, vegetables and medicines were also disrupted, worsening public hardship.

FRAGILE GEOLOGY, AGGRESSIVE CONSTRUCTION

Experts say the highway’s repeated failures reflect a mismatch between ambitious construction and geological reality.

“The mountains along Srinagar-Jammu National Highway are geologically young, fractured, and unstable,” a geologist at the National Institute of Hydrology, Jammu, Riyaz Ahmad Mir said. “Unscientific slope cutting, blasting, and debris dumping have made even moderate rainfall dangerous.”

Mir said the Chenab Valley lies in Seismic Zone IV, crisscrossed by faults and shear zones.

“When rainwater infiltrates these weakened slopes, especially where tunnelling is ongoing, slope failure becomes inevitable,” he said.

Veteran highway workers say such risks were well known.

“This terrain required careful planning,” said a senior highway worker, recalling the 2022 tunnel collapse that killed 10 labourers. “The warnings were ignored.”

LIVING WITH RISK

For residents of Ramban and Banihal, the highway has become a seasonal threat.

“From March to September, every rain brings fear,” said Altaf Ahmad, a Ramban resident. “We never know when the mountain will give way.”

Shams, a teacher from Banihal, said locals were not opposed to development.

“But development must be guided by science,” he said. “Ignoring geology only increases danger.”

ENVIRONMENTAL COST

Environmental activists blame deforestation and illegal dumping of construction debris.

“Debris is dumped along the highway and even into the Chenab,” said an environmentalist. “When rains come, it gets washed downstream, worsening floods and landslides.”

He said that trees stabilise slopes and, by removing them recklessly, collapse is inevitable.

The environmentalist called for an independent environmental audit of the project.

ALL-WEATHER CLAIM TESTED

While new tunnels have improved winter connectivity, residents say the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains most vulnerable during the rainy months.

“Even light showers now trigger landslides,” said Abdul Rashid, a shopkeeper from Ramban. “The road no longer feels reliable.”

A FRAGILE ARTERY

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway sustains Kashmir’s economy, healthcare, education, and security, and its repeated failure affects millions.

“These disasters are no longer accidents,” said Ghulam Hassan of Digdol. “They are the result of careless planning. Until development respects the mountains, this will continue.”

As 2025 draws to a close, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway stands as a stark warning: in the Himalayas, infrastructure built without geological and environmental caution can quickly turn from lifeline into liability.

The post Road that couldn’t hold appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

An official from the department said that moderate snowfall is likely in many parts of Kashmir on Tuesday, with the main activity expected to occur during the afternoon. “The weather will remain generally cloudy on Wednesday and Thursday, with light rain or snowfall expected over higher reaches,” the official said.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, about 3.4 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.

Gulmarg, the Valley’s coldest location, recorded a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, which was nearly three degrees above normal.

In south Kashmir, the tourist resort of Pahalgam registered a minimum of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, also 3.4 degrees Celsius above normal.

Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a low of zero degrees Celsius.

The Kokernag-Sinthan-Kishtwar Road and Gawran-Margan Top-Warwan Road remained shut.

Meanwhile, authorities ordered the temporary closure of key roads linking Kashmir with the Chenab Valley in view of snowfall forecasts and slippery road conditions.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kokernag, Prince Kumar, ordered the suspension of vehicular traffic on the Daksum-Sinthan Top-Chhatroo Road, which connects Kashmir with Kishtwar district, and the Gowran-Margan Top Road.

In an official order, the SDM said, “Snowfall on Sunday night, coupled with the forecast of further snowfall over the coming days, has rendered these routes unsafe for vehicular movement.”

The order said the decision was taken “in the interest of public safety,” adding that traffic on both roads will remain suspended until further notice.

“The roads shall be reopened only after snow clearance by the concerned departments and certification that the routes are fit for vehicular traffic,” the order said.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Larnoo has been directed to strictly enforce the closure by erecting barricades at designated checkpoints and preventing any unauthorised movement during the closure period.

Authorities have appealed to the public and all concerned departments to adhere to the order to avoid any untoward incidents.

Roads connecting the Chenab Valley regions typically remain closed for nearly six months during winter due to heavy snowfall.

While Kishtwar town remains accessible through the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway via Doda, the remote twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan, home to nearly 40,000 people across about 40 villages, remain cut off from the district headquarters during winter.

The 100-km Larnoo-Margan Top-Warwan Road, opened in 2007 to connect the valleys with Kokernag in south Kashmir, is their only surface link to the outside world.

In its absence, residents either trek long distances to reach Kishtwar or wait until summer to travel via the Kokernag-Sinthan route.

Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, which connects south Kashmir’s Shopian district with Rajouri and Poonch in the Pir Panjal region, remains open but may be closed if snowfall resumes.

The road was earlier shut following light to moderate snowfall and accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

The post Kashmir braces for fresh snow, nights stay warm appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kokernag Prince Kumar ordered the suspension of vehicular traffic on the Daksum–Sinthan Top–Chhatroo Road (NH-244), which connects Kashmir with Kishtwar district, and the Gowran–Margan Top Road.

In an official order, the SDM said, “Snowfall during the intervening night of December 28 and 29, coupled with the forecast of further snowfall over the coming days, has rendered these routes unsafe for vehicular movement.”

The order said the decision was taken “in the interest of public safety,” adding that traffic on both roads will remain suspended until further notice.

“The roads shall be reopened only after snow clearance by the concerned departments and certification that the routes are fit for vehicular traffic,” the order said.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Larnoo has been directed to strictly enforce the closure by erecting barricades at designated naka points and preventing any unauthorized movement during the closure period.

Authorities have appealed to the public and all concerned departments to strictly adhere to the order to avoid any untoward incidents.

Roads linking Kashmir with the Chenab Valley typically remain closed for nearly six months during winter due to heavy snowfall.

While Kishtwar town remains accessible through the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway via Doda, the remote twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan — home to nearly 40,000 people across about 40 villages — remain cut off from the district headquarters during winter.

The 100-kilometer Larnoo–Margan Top–Warwan road, opened in 2007 to connect the valleys with Kokernag in south Kashmir, serves as their only surface link to the outside world. In its absence, residents either trek long distances to reach Kishtwar or wait until summer to travel via the Kokernag–Sinthan route.

Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, which connects south Kashmir’s Shopian district with Rajouri and Poonch in the Pir Panjal region, remains open but may be closed if snowfall resumes. The road was earlier shut following light to moderate snowfall and accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

The post Snow forecast prompts closure of key Kashmir–Chenab Valley roads appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering after the conclusion of the party’s Kath Bath programme in Anantnag town, Mufti said the PDP was not there to make long speeches but to listen to people’s concerns.

“I know since August 5, 2019, everyone here feels suffocated. They have nowhere to go with their problems,” Mufti said. “We are not here to give long speeches, but to listen to your voices.”

The PDP had earlier organised similar outreach programmes in Srinagar, the summer capital, and Jammu, the winter capital of the Union Territory.

People from various sections of society, including traders, civil society members, lawyers and unemployed youth, raised issues ranging from unemployment and rising prices to lack of sports infrastructure and alleged curbs on dissent.

“You spoke your heart out, but still there were several issues you could not express, as voices of dissent have been curbed for long,” Mufti said. “This outreach is aimed at ending that suffocation. I will take forward your concerns on whatever platform I can – whether with the UT government or in New Delhi.”

Mufti said peaceful protest was a democratic right and expressed concern that even that space was shrinking.

“Peaceful protest is our democratic right, whether it is about unemployment, reservation or development,” she said. “But what we are seeing is that even this has been criminalised.”

She cited the alleged prevention of leaders from joining solidarity protests on reservation with students. “Whether it is Aga Ruhullah, Waheed Parra or Iltija, they were not allowed to join peaceful protests scheduled today,” she said.

On the issue of reservations, Mufti said educated youth had every right to express their concerns. “The issue of reservation concerns everyone,” she said.

The PDP chief also opposed any proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union, Chile or the United States, warning it could hurt Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector. She said a similar agreement with New Zealand had already affected local apple growers.

“A deal like this exposes our farmers to unfair imports,” Mufti said. “Flooding markets with imported apples risks destroying the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture.”

She said Kashmir was self-sufficient in sectors such as power and horticulture but was unable to reap benefits. “Even our tourism has suffered a severe blow,” she added.

Mufti said she had been raising issues related to prisoners lodged in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir and the denial of passports to educated youth on the pretext of verifications or adverse reports without any genuine reason.

“Youth also raised the lack of sports academies, whether cricket, football or other sports,” she said. “Others spoke about skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and unemployment. I will take these up with the government.”

She also expressed concern over what she described as harassment of Kashmiri youth and Muslims outside Jammu and Kashmir.

“A Hindu was lynched in Bangladesh and everyone rightly condemned it,” Mufti said. “But here in our country, such incidents have been happening frequently. This has to stop as it damages the secular and pluralistic fabric of our country. Hindus , Muslims and other religions should live in harmony like they do in Jammu and Kashmir

Earlier, a tribal youth raised concerns about displacement and lack of representation. “We don’t have any representative to plead our case, so we request you to be our voice,” he told Mufti.

Another youth emphasized on the need for prison reforms. “Undertrials should not be dehumanised. They are innocent till proven guilty,” he said.

Concluding the programme, Mufti said dissent must have space in a democracy. “We want there to be a place for dissent and for people to be given space to talk,” she said.

She said her party stood for “peace with dignity.”

“What we want is that every Kashmiri should be able to walk with their head held high,” Mufti said. “My father and party’s founder – Mufti Muhamad Syed strived for the same all through  his life despite being in opposition mostly.  So ,taking a leaf from him, we too have decided to carry forward his legacy rather than waiting for elections.

“What we want is that youth should not be pushed to the wall, so that the situation does not arise where this lava finally erupts.”

The post PDP’s Kath Baath reaches Anantnag, Mehbooba says outreach meant to break ‘suffocation’ appeared first on Greater Kashmir.