Spring’s Silent Storm: Pollen Surge Leaves Children Struggling to Breathe Easy
Sneezing fits, sore throats and rising infections mark a harsh season as young immune systems bear the brunt of nature’s bloom Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: As spring paints the Valley in shades of green and gold, an invisible storm rides the breeze—pollen. What should have been a season of open playgrounds and laughter has instead […]
Kashmir’s paddy fields shrink as farmers abandon staple crop
Declining acreage, erratic weather and urbanisation reshape Valley’s agrarian landscape Growers warn “paddy is no longer sustainable” Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: The vast stretches of paddy fields that once formed the backbone of Kashmir’s rural economy are steadily shrinking, with both official data and ground reports indicating a sustained decline in rice cultivation across the […]
100 day war against drugs
Srinagar Police Deploy Dog Squad in Intensified Anti-Drug Drive Canine units stationed across key checkpoints as police step up crackdown on narcotics networks Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: At a busy checkpoint in Srinagar, a trained sniffer dog pauses beside a vehicle, circles briefly, and then signals its handler. Within seconds, police personnel move in, turning […]
Clinging to the Cliffs: Kashmir’s Markhor Stages a Quiet Comeback
Rising numbers offer hope, but experts warn habitat pressure and human interference still threaten survival Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: High in the craggy mountains of Kashmir, where sheer cliffs defy gravity, the markhor—the world’s largest wild goat—moves with a rare elegance. With its corkscrew horns and remarkable climbing ability, the species has long been a […]
A Year After Attack: From Baisaran to Chandanwari, Pahalgam Demands Full Reopening
Tourists, locals and pony wallas call for access to key valleys and routes to restore livelihoods and signal complete revival Our Special Correspondent Pahalgam: On the first anniversary of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, calls for reopening key tourist destinations—including Baisaran Valley, Kashmir Valley, Donwan Valley and the Chandanwari route—have grown louder, with stakeholders […]
Crackdown on School Vans: RTO Flags Widespread Overcrowding, Warns of Strict Action
Surprise inspections expose safety violations, Authorities say “children’s lives cannot be compromised” Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: In a major push to enforce student safety norms, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has launched a massive crackdown on private school vans ferrying children, with surprise inspections revealing alarming levels of overcrowding across multiple routes. Officials said the […]
Baisran attack anniversary
Resilience outpaces last year’s grief as Pahalgam reports heavy tourist bookings Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: A year after the tranquil meadows of Baisran were torn apart by gunfire, this famed resort town is witnessing a powerful, almost symbolic return. The same slopes that once echoed with panic are today alive with the hum of tourists, […]
Pahalgam terror attack: Widow of slain ‘ponywallah’ says life feels impossible without a partner
Pahalgam: A year after ‘ponywallah’ Adil Hussain Shah died while trying to save tourists during the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, life has been anything but easy for his widow Gulnaz Akhtar. Soon after losing her husband, who was the sole breadwinner of his family, Gulnaz moved back to her parents’ house and […]
Kashmir Sits on Shaky Ground as Region Falls in Highest Seismic Risk Zone
Experts warn fragile geology and unsafe construction could turn a major quake into a large-scale disaster in the Valley Our Special Correspondent Srinagar: Kashmir’s scenic beauty masks a harsh geological truth—the region lies in one of the most earthquake-prone belts in the world. Long classified under Seismic Zone V, the highest risk category in India’s […]
CAG warns of Hokersar lake’s ecological decline
Flags large-scale encroachment Jammu: The CAG has expressed serious concerns about the large-scale encroachment of over 2,500 kanals and ecological degradation of Hokersar Lake, warning that the wetland is facing rapid deterioration, and its “pristine glory” is at risk of extinction. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pulled up authorities for the failure of conservation […]