Growers from Bhaderwah in Doda district—where nearly 4,000 farmers have shifted from traditional maize cultivation to lavender—said the influx of cheaper imported lavender oil has severely impacted domestic prices, eroding incomes and discouraging new cultivation.

“Lavender changed our lives initially. It required less water, gave better returns than maize and opened new market opportunities,” said a group of farmers from Bhaderwah. “But unchecked imports have crashed prices, and many of us are now struggling to even recover our costs.”

The Purple Revolution, promoted under national mission programmes, positioned lavender as a game-changer for hill agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the temperate belt of Bhaderwah. Farmers say the crop helped diversify agriculture, reduced dependence on low-value cereals and generated rural employment, especially for women.

However, growers allege that imported lavender oil and raw material, mainly from overseas markets, are entering India at low tariffs, undercutting locally produced oil. “We are competing with countries where production costs are much lower. Without tariff protection, Indian farmers cannot survive,” said a lavender distiller from the region.

Farmers have demanded a rational increase in import duty on lavender oil and related products to ensure a level playing field. They also sought assured procurement, minimum support mechanisms and expansion of domestic value chains to stabilise prices.

“Our request for Budget 2026 is simple—protect Indian lavender,” said another grower. “If policy support is withdrawn now, farmers will be forced to abandon the crop and return to maize, undoing years of progress.”

Agricultural experts warn that neglecting lavender farmers could weaken confidence in alternative cropping models promoted in ecologically sensitive regions. “Policy consistency is crucial. Farmers took risks based on government assurances. Sudden market shocks can push them back into subsistence farming,” an expert said.

The growers have also sought increased support for processing units, branding of Bhaderwah lavender and export facilitation to strengthen domestic competitiveness.

As Union Budget 2026-27 approaches, lavender farmers say timely intervention is essential to sustain the Purple Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir and protect livelihoods built around the aromatic crop.

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Snowfall on the eve of the first day of the year, followed by bright sunshine, attracted a large number of tourists from different parts of the country to the snow-filled alps along the Bhaderwah–Pathankot highway, bringing cheer to both visitors and tourism stakeholders.

Locals in general and stakeholders in particular said that the much-needed snowfall—the season’s first after a prolonged dry spell of nearly two and a half months—attracted more than 200 tourist vehicles to the famous winter destination of Jammu province, Guldanda, located at an altitude of 9,555 feet above sea level along the Bhaderwah–Pathankot highway.

The sudden rush of visitors brought smiles back to tour operators and hoteliers, as all hotels and homestays were packed with tourists—something they described as a good omen for the winter tourism season ahead.

“The tourism industry here was literally on a ventilator, as after the Pahalgam terror attack followed by hostilities on the border, very few tourists visited here. But snowfall on the first day of 2026 acted as a catalyst to break the ice, and for the last two days all the hotels and guest houses are packed with tourists, as pan-India tourists are converging here in large numbers. I hope this trend will continue,” said Manish Kotwal, a hotelier from Nalthi, Bhaderwah.

Not only the hoteliers but also the small vendors who have installed their makeshift shops at Guldanda are smiling from ear to ear to host the sudden rush of visitors.

“After the snowfall, tourists are enjoying themselves and are very happy, and so are we, as the arrival of visitors means a mode of livelihood for local youth working here. I hope this phase will continue for a longer period,” said a vendor at Guldanda, Yasir Wani.

Tourists from Kanpur and Rajasthan who seen enjoying the snow filled peaks of Guldanda and Chattargalla said it’s like a fairy tale to see the beauty of Guldanda and adjoining alps.

“We are regular visitors of Vaishno Devi Shrine, but this is our first visit to Bhaderwah and it’s unbelievable here, the beauty of this valley is unbelievable and the vibe here is so good that we want to stay here forever,” said Aadiya Vajpayee (21) tourist from Kanpur (UP).

“We are si excited to see the snow for the first time in our life, this is like like a fairytale for us and not me and my husband, but our toddler seems to be enjoying this,” said another tourist Monica Senior from Chooru Rajasthan.

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Although fire tenders could not reach the Puneja village immediately which is just 7-km away from the town but the incident site is located at hill top 1-km from motorable road.

SDPO Bhaderwah Naveed Qazi who was supervising the fire extinguishing operation said that despite being located 1-km uphill from the motorable road, the fire has been brought under control.

Locals along with police and fire tenders did a commendable job and risked their lives to bring the rapidly spreading fire under control, but till then four houses got gutted in the fire.

The cause of the fire is not known yet while locals alleged that the fire could have been controlled easily and property worth crores saved if there would have been a motorable road to the village which has a population of about 1500 people.

“I noticed the flames coming from the top floor and due to wind the fire rapidly spread to the adjoining houses, although we informed fire tenders immediately but it took them one hour to trek the hill and reach the incident site,” said Mohd Iqbal, an eye witness.

“If there would have been a motorable road to the village, there would have been a minimum loss. Still we are thankful to SDPO and his team who risked their life to douse the flames,” Iqbal added.

“We are a meager vote bank for the politicians and only get promises which always turn fake, the motorable road could have saved the homes of poor but there is no one to listen to our miseries instead every time we get lame excuses,” Siad Durga Devi, a resident of Puneja.

The post Four residential houses gutted in J&K’s Bhaderwah appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The mammoth black wild bear was spotted by the villagers trapped in the fast currents of Dangar Nullah, accordingly they informed the officials of Wildlife Protection Department, who immediately swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of locals and army.

Incharge of the rescue operation, Range Officer Wildlife Protection Department, Shafer Iqbal said, “The trapped wild animal which was one the largest ever spotted in the area took 48-hours of hectic operation to rescue the beast from the fast currents”.

“The animal turned out to be heavily pregnant female and the brave sleuths of our department risked their lives and took utmost precautions to avoid injury to the bear and after capturing it, the mammoth black bear was released in the natural habitat,” officer added.

“To rescue the pregnant bear took 48-hours because we didn’t use any tranquillizers as the animal was heavily pregnant and the sedative dose could have harmed it,” Shafer said and added, “If anyone spots the wild animal, please never try to chase them to avoid the life threatening conflict, instead they can inform us in any of our control rooms established simultaneously at Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar.”

The department called for greater awareness and cooperation from the public to ensure the safety of both humans and animals, emphasising the need for continued efforts to protect forests and wildlife corridors.

The post Wildlife dept officials rescue pregnant black bear trapped in river after 48-hours operation in Kishtwar appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Mostly remaining abuzz with the hustle and bustle of vistors for most part of the year, the famous high altitude tourist destinations of Bhadarwah valley including Chattargalla, Guldanda, Padri, Bhal Padri and Jaie were reflecting a haunting look after recent Pahalgam attack as all these spots were closed for the visitors after the attack.

To welcome the tourists again in these high altitude meadows, which provide jobs to hundreds of locals, district administration Doda has enhanced and set up new security pickets to win back the faith of tourists. Tourists mostly from Maharashtra, Gujrat, Rajasthan and UP who were seen enjoying the mundane beauty of the adjoining Glaciers and while enthusiastically playing with the snow without any fear said that they are overwhelmed with the hospitality of the locals and the humane attitude of the Army. “We were a little apprehensive about visiting Bhadarwah after Pahalgam attack, but now we are happy that we didn’t returned back and came to this beautiful valley,” said Tanushree Nikus, a tourist from Maharashtra. “Here we experienced the most humane face of our army, who beside providing foolproof security, offered us roses on our arrival here, this so heartwarming and I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life,” Tanushree added. According to the data issued by Bhadarwah department Authority, till 3pm on Sunday, 3700 tourists had crossed the Nalthi check post, which is a good sign keeping in view the security concern after Pahalgam terror attack, added officials.

The post After 4-day closure, Bhadarwah’s tourist destinations reopened appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The event, flagged off by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda Harvinder Singh and SP Bhaderwah Vinod Sharma, also aimed to reinforce national unity and mark the beginning of the spring tourism season in the region.

Besides the holy month of Ramadan, 500 people from different sections of society and above 30 years of age gathered at the new bus stand in Kotli to participate in the highly anticipated marathon.

DC Doda Harvinder Singh, along with SP Bhadarwah Vinod Sharma, flagged off the participants from New Bus Stand for a 6 km run.

After successful completion of the marathon, the participants were received by the chief guest. The first 50 persons who completed the run were felicitated with medals and certificates.

The post Unity run: Race against drugs & social evils organised in Bhaderwah appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Built for Rs 21 lakh each with a 95% government subsidy, these greenhouses feature automated irrigation, climate control systems, and supplemental lighting. Progressive farmer Touqeer Bagban, who established these facilities on his land, aims to grow exotic vegetables and fruits throughout the year.

“These hi-tech greenhouses are a boon for cold climates, enabling year-round crop production even in harsh weather conditions,” said DC Harvinder Singh during the inauguration. He emphasised that the controlled environment facilities align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling farmer incomes, particularly benefiting marginal farmers in the hilly Doda district.

Bagban, the beneficiary, shared his experience: “I applied online after learning about the scheme during a program. Within two months, the department established the greenhouses, and I received the 95% subsidy of the total Rs 42 lakh investment within 15 days of completion.” He added that the project has already generated employment for seven families and enabled the cultivation of exotic produce in controlled conditions.

The advanced greenhouse structures shield plants from harsh weather while maintaining optimal growing conditions through automated climate control systems. This technology enables continuous crop production throughout the year, unlike traditional outdoor farming in cold climates, making it a potential game-changer for agriculture in the region.

The post Automated Greenhouses bring summer to Bhadarwah’s winter farms appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Led by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Om Kumar, the healthcare professionals swapped their usual medical attire for cricketing gear to spread awareness about the ‘Nasha Mukti Indradhanush Abhiyan India,’ a campaign aimed at combating addiction and promoting healthy living.

The 20-over match, held at the PG College ground, featured teams from SDH Bhadarwah and other hospitals in Doda. The event was part of a larger effort to engage the community in adopting healthier lifestyles and furthering the national campaign.

CMO Doda Dr Om Kumar said that over the past one year, the campaign has seen a remarkable response, with doctors, public health experts, and undergraduate and postgraduate (PG) medical students coming forward to support the initiative in different ways.

“Today’s match is primarily aimed at promoting the Drug Free India campaign beside encouraging people to adopt healthy ways of living,” Dr. Om Kumar said.

Later, a pledge ceremony was administered for the participants of the match, in which spectators and guests also participated.

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Nestled 35 kilometers from Bhadarwah town at an impressive elevation of 7,500 feet, the expansive 10-kilometer valley promises a revolutionary winter tourism experience. The site offers an array of attractions including skiing, zipline adventures, and diverse snow-based activities that could redefine tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

BDA Publicity Officer Aamir Rafiqui articulated the strategic vision behind the project. “Our objective is to provide tourists with multiple winter destination choices while showcasing the unexplored potential of Bhadarwah’s breathtaking landscape,” he explained.

The initiative perfectly aligns with the 2025 tourism theme of ‘Inclusive Growth’, emphasizing economic opportunities and cultural preservation. Local adventure trainer Vikas Sharma predicted the valley could be a “game-changer” for regional tourism, potentially generating substantial employment and attracting significant tourist interest.

During the National Tourism Day launch, dozens of adventure enthusiasts explored the snow-filled meadows, demonstrating immediate enthusiasm for the new destination. The pristine environment, combined with carefully planned infrastructure, positions Jaie valley as a potential breakthrough in J&K’s tourism strategy.

The BDA’s calculated approach goes beyond mere attraction development. By introducing Jaie valley, they are crafting a sustainable tourism model that promises to uplift local communities while presenting travelers with unprecedented winter sport opportunities.

The valley’s strategic location, combined with its natural beauty and planned adventure activities, suggests it could become a pivotal destination in Kashmir’s evolving tourism narrative.

As winter sports and experiential travel gain momentum, Jaie valley stands poised to become a significant player in J&K’s tourism ecosystem, offering a fresh and exciting alternative to established destinations.

The post Snow Much Fun: Jaie Valley joins J&K’s tourism map appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The initiative, as per the officials, aims to transform the snowclad destination into a hub for winter sports, attracting both tourists and locals to its breathtaking slopes. The snow skiing training programme organised jointly by Jammu Tourism is attracting both tourists and local youth in large numbers, as they find it extremely adventurous to ski on snow-covered slopes of Guldanda meadows located on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot highway at a height of 10,000 ft above sea level.

“As part of adventure tourism promotion by adopting a holistic approach, the tourism department introduced snow skiing here at Guldanada, and it’s heartwarming to see the response of local youth and visitors,” said Aniza Mushtaq, coordinator of the training programme.

Mushtaq said the skiing attraction in Guldanda will surely act as a unique selling point to attract adventure lovers, boosting tourism prospects in the region.

Meanwhile, experts and skiing instructors also welcomed the start of the game, terming the beauty of the snow-covered Guldanda slopes as best for skiing.

“Guldanada has got all the ingredients to be introduced as a ski resort, as it has both types of slopes for beginners and professionals as well,” said Manzoor Ahmed Lone, skiing instructor from Gulmarg.

Mir echoed that with its snow-clad landscapes and breathtaking vistas, Guldanda offers immense potential to become a hub for winter sports and a favourite place for adventure enthusiasts.

“I have been training both locals and tourists since the last five days and am surprised to receive the response, if projected properly, Guldanda can emerge as the next big thing in snow sports in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mir added.

Notably, a significant portion of the participants were local youth, especially girls, underscoring the growing interest and participation of women in winter sports.

“We have been introduced to this sport for the first time here, and for this we are thankful to the authorities. For me, it’s like a dream come true, as I used to get fascinated whenever I watched snow skiing on TV or mobile. I hope authorities will continue this activity,” said Danish Ayaz (21), a trainee from Bhaderwah.

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