REGIONAL

Shah Hilal The Anantnag Forest Division has set a target of planting 2,13,000 trees this year, including conifers and broad-leaved species. These saplings will be planted in designated forest closures, as well as in schools, colleges, and private institutions. The department will also distribute saplings to the public for plantation. Divisional Forest Officer Anantnag, Mudasir Mehmood, said that an additional 70,000 trees of a specific species will be planted in the region due to their economic and ecological significance. On the issue of rising forest fires, he attributed them to changing weather patterns. “This year, precipitation has dropped by at least 80 percent, and there has been no snowfall. Our forests already contain highly combustible material. When visitors make fir...

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he was happy to join the campaign against obesity, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Abdullah also nominated 10 people to join the campaign. “I’m very happy to join the campaign against obesity launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji,” he said in a post on X. “Obesity causes a number of lifestyle-related health issues like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, strokes and breathing problems, not to mention mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Today I’m nominating these 10 people to join the prime minister’s campaign against obesity and requesting them to nominate a further 10 people each to take this fight forward,” he added. Among those nominated by Abdullah for the campaign are Biocon Limited found...

Residents of Suthran Khag in central Kashmir’s Budgam district are up in arms over a series of inaccurate water bills, with many individuals reporting charges for connections they never requested or received. Local consumer Nazir Ahmad Malah, who recently constructed a new house, voiced his frustration, saying, “I have recently built a new house, yet I have received a water bill even though I haven't applied for a connection.” Numerous other residents share similar concerns, questioning the billing process and demanding clarity from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department. Former Sarpanch Adail Jahangir expressed confusion over how these charges could be levied when no official connection requests have been submitted, let alone installed. This lack of proper verification has l...

A fire broke out in the Eidgah area of Srinagar on Monday afternoon, engulfing at least three residential houses. An official said that fire service teams rushed to the spot upon receiving information to contain the blaze. During the operation, one fireman sustained injuries. The firefighting operation was still underway when reports last came in. (JKNS)

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed JK MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, “The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose of the bail application of the petitioner expeditiously.” The court was dealing with Rashid’s plea alleging there was no remedy available after the NIA court, dealing with his bail application, left him in limbo post him becoming member of Parliament (MP). Justice Mahajan observed a direction was passed by the high court on the administrative side clarifying that the NIA court would continue to hear the case. In view of the development, Rashid’s counsel sought to withdraw ...

After a gap of seven years, Jammu Kashmir is preparing to hold panchayat elections, with polls expected to take place between April and May, sources said. The elections, likely to be conducted in multiple phases, are seen as a crucial step towards strengthening grassroots democracy in the region. According to official sources, preparations are underway to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process. The phased approach is expected to facilitate better management of polling stations and security arrangements. The upcoming panchayat elections hold significance as they mark the first such exercise since 2018 and are expected to enhance local governance and representation at the village level. Sources revealed that authorities are likely to announce a formal schedule in the ...

Shah Basit A flight to Kashmir now costs more than trips to international destinations, with airfares reaching record highs across major routes. Passengers hoping to travel to Kashmir are finding themselves caught in an unpredictable price surge. A ticket from Delhi to Srinagar has jumped to ₹16,000, while flights from Mumbai cost ₹16,000 and Chennai and Bangalore passengers are paying a staggering ₹18,000. This is turning into a crisis, said Fayaz Ahmed, a businessman from Srinagar. Airlines are treating Kashmir as a premium route, charging prices that make no sense. A last-minute booking costs nearly as much as a foreign trip. Travel agents report that despite government claims of promoting tourism, the high ticket prices are discouraging visitors. They argue that ai...

A 36-year-old street vendor from Sopore, who had traveled to Delhi for work, has been missing since February 16, leaving his family in distress. Shabir Ahmad Shah, son of the late Ghulam Nabi Shah and a resident of Neharpora, Sopore, left for Delhi on January 31, 2025. "He went to Delhi to purchase shoes and other goods for his small street business" family membera told The Kashmiriyat. His family, which includes his wife Mumtaza, his brother, and his elderly mother, last heard from him on the morning of February 16. According to Mumtaza, Shabir called her at around 11:30 AM on February 16, while she was in a hospital due to an illness. When she inquired about his return, he assured her that he would be back soon and even offered to send money if needed. Soon after, the call got disco...

The Jammu Kashmir Meteorological Department has predicted dry weather on untill 24 February, followed by light to moderate rain and snow at most places from February 25-28. Director MET Mukhtar Ahmad as per news agency JKNS said, the weather is likely to be Generally dry on 23-24th February. On 25-28th Feb, Generally cloudy with Light to moderate Rain/Snow at most places with isolated heavy Rain/Snow over both Kashmir Division & Jammu Division during the above period, he said. Giving advisory Mukhtar said, there are chances of Temporary disruption of Surface transportation mainly over Sadhna pass, Razdhan Pass, Sonamarg-Zojila-Gumri axis, Mughal Road, Sinthan pass & other major roads of hilly districts. Tourists/travellers/Transporters are advised to plan accordingly &a...

Over the past eight years, the number of vehicles in Jammu Kashmir has doubled, resulting in increasingly congested and chaotic roads. According to recent data accessed by the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the region has seen a significant rise in both public and private transport. In 2016, there were 13,65,552 registered vehicles, a number that has surged to 25,67,000 by the end of March 2024—a drastic increase of more than 12 lakh vehicles. The Motor Vehicles Department has reported substantial revenue growth, achieving Rs 925.12 crore against a target of Rs 915.00 crore during the financial year 2023-24. This period also saw the registration of 1.65 lakh vehicles, alongside the issuance of 11,196 fresh route permits and the renewal of 40,595 existing ones. Additionally,...