The overwhelming crisis of waste management in Kashmir
“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” – W.H. Auden
The overuse of local natural resources has, for the last two decades in rural village settings, contributed to environmental impacts like pollution, resource depletion, energy consumption, and waste. This has as much to do with changing lifestyles and population growth in villages as with failed policies and neglect at the state level. The consumption of […]
Organic farming in Jammu and Kashmir: Progress, challenges and prospects
Introduction Since the dawn of the industrial age, technology has been lightening the burden of the farming sector, and has enabled the farmers to adopt different methods and techniques for making the sector a sustainable means of livelihood and gainful employment. However, during the past few decades, the disproportionate use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides […]
Facing challenges of Bio-Medical Waste Management in Jammu and Kashmir
Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) states that improper disposal of Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) can cause the following diseases: Parasitic Infections, Lung Infections, Skin infections, HIV and Hepatitis B and C Viruses, Candida, Meningitis and Bacteremia. Above all, the people living nearby open BMW disposal sites can experience diarrhoea, headaches, chest pains, irritation of the […]
New Mining Policy in J&K: Interests of locals are paramount, not revenue
It is the responsibility of the government to acknowledge and respond to the concerns raised by the locals vis-à-vis the new mining policy and make sure that the policy does not undermine their interests
The Special Status enjoyed by the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir would not allow the non-local contractors to participate in the “open-auctioning’, which is now “e-auctioning”, of leasing and renting of mineral blocks in the region. However, the revocation of Article 370, that marked the end of the J&K’s Special Status, paved the way […]
Horticulture Sector, Prospects and Policy Imperatives to Support Farmers
The horticulture sector is poised to grow more rapidly in the upcoming years in J&K, despite disruptions it faced due to subsequent lockdowns. At a time when all the sectors are in shambles, the fruit industry remains a beacon of hope for many unemployed youths and local families in Jammu and Kashmir, Mukhtar Dar writes. […]
UNHEALTHY HOSPITALS
With faulty infrastructure available, overburdened doctors don’t stick to their ethical code of conduct. While many risk their lives to fight the deadly Virus, people in Kashmir ask how long can we afford the negligence of “messiahs and saviors”. Mukhtar Dar traveled around to find answers to some pressing questions concerning our public health system.
COVID Pandemic exposed Kashmir’s ailing healthcare and caught it unawares. Understaffed and ill-equipped hospitals are ‘war-zones’. COVID 19 is just a test dose. It is believed that as the Corona crisis passes, we will see a huge investment in the health sector. With the corona crisis emerging as the latest challenge to health and well […]
Kashmir conflict and shattered dreams of youth
The three-decade old Kashmir conflict has sent thousands of body-bags into untimely graves. Mukhtar Dar explains how the lack of foresight and investment in education has led to more youth choosing violence as a way of life. When militancy erupted in 1989, it was like a volcanic phenomena which suddenly drew attention to decades of […]
The Role of Panchayati Raj in Sustaining Peace and Development of J&K
Local institutions can play a vital role in peacemaking as they are more involved in day-to-day life and problems of ordinary citizens. It is convenient for local leaders to approach the locals and involve them in inclusive peace negotiations.
Rebuilding and repairing are essential elements of human life. The same holds true for communities in conflict zones. In conflict zones, ways and methods of engagement of local people in communication and political processes often become the most sustainable systems for rebuilding and repairing societies affected by violence and mistrust. These processes, which seek to […]
Remembering ‘Sir Syed Sani’ on his 40th death Anniversary
During the first half of the 20th century, when Kashmir was under the heels of political, social and economic exploiters, truth was overawed by the pomp of landlord and poverty was rampant. In such circumstances Molvi Syed Ali Shah Bhukhari, commonly known as ‘Sir Syed Sani’ had changed the course of history in Beerwah, town […]
Four persons injured in bear attack in Budgam
Budgam, Oct 9: Four persons were injured after a Bear attacked them in Shunglipora village of Khag tehsil in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday. The injured persons have been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, Abdul Rashid Khan, Ishfaq Ahmad Malik and Sajad Ahmad Malik. Local reports said that a bear appeared in Shunglipora village […]
