G.L Khajuria
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had long back formulated projects to earmark a biological profile for various states of India. This was being done to high-light the problems connected with biodiversity, particularly its conservation, augmentation, sustainability and utilisation at a bigger scale. The first such profile, of course, was the North-Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh which is internationally acclaimed as the hot-spot. And the second in the series is the north western state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir State provides a considerable amount of habitat of vide, varied diversity.
These range from unimaginable and unaccountable beautiful enchanting snow-topped mountains, glaciers and cascading crystal-clear gurgling ice-cold waters in the rivers apart from high altitudinal attractive mountainous landscape andstreams. And these, therefore, have their extension to the most hostilehabitates such as the lakes, other water bodies, lush green dense forests, and the high altitudinal meadows with carpet cover of green silky grasses covered by multihued wild fragrant flowers for miles and miles in togetherness.Supporting all these, there is ever-refreshing cool breeze of the temperate zone and over -head there are milky white wafting clouds, which still adds to the beauty while these hover over azuresky in its ambience.
These wide-arrayed landscapes can very conveniently be maintained through proper managing conservation of the biodiversity. And no less is the most enchanting and charming Vistasta, the Jhelum formally quite and placid but at occasions in floods furry. At one point of time, Dal Lake used to be have crystal clear with water butwith the passage of times the same dal is turning dull and so is the situation with Wular and other water bodies which have mostly been polluted.
Kashmir or the Valley is world widely regarded as the paradise on earth and this sanctimonious land is blessed with many saints, sages and seers and of course, blessed with great writer and thinkers.
But unfortunately, this pride land is losing its pristine lustre owing to the outside interferencesby the neighbouring border countries who are hell bet to destabilise its peace ad harmony. But fortunately, The inhabitants together with a varied biodiversity are well in place and the localsare intelligent hardworking and progressively ahead with zeal and zest wherever they harbour.
As per the latest survey report of India ending year 2015 , the Jammu and Kashmir State is having a forest cover 2,01,796 Hectares (recorded ) out of 22,539Hectares (Actual ) which shows the recorded percentage of area having per captia forest cover at around 0.1796Hectares ending year 2011 which is dismally jeering.
In view of the frizzling forest cover of our State, their seems to be an alarming scenario ahead if so remainsthe situation. As such,therefore, some strategic and tangible steps are warranting and need to be afooted to anticipate impending environmental degradation and the repercussions accruingthereform.
The Jammu and Kashmir State is as well is nomenclarised as a biomass state of the county for reason as well-known having a potential exporter of fruits (fresh/drieds, nuts), vegetables, medicinal and aromatic herbs of multihued forms apart from seeds and other Minor Forest Produce (MFP) for the manufacture of multi-medicinal drugs (Ayurvedic) for which we are having a richest treasure trove ofmedicinal potential for which we are privileged ad prideful . The only pertinent and moot point of expectation is the active surveillance of forest deptt. To avert exploitation and illegal smuggling of MFP their conservation and promotion.
Apart from all that as have been enumerated here in above, J and K as a whole is the richest biomass source such as Mushrooms, honey, condiments like black zira (Caraway) and above all saffron (Kesar-Zafran) an equivalent of Chanan of South India.
Silk and silken product /garments, woollen roducts such as rafals, pashmina and shatios, carpets, silk and silken products such as rafals, pashmina and shawl, carpets, fur garments are as yet another forms of the most attractive and charming part of Kashmir products which ,of course, constitute fascinating component of biomass. Wood crafts, carving, Khutamband ceilings, wicker work, Papiermache, joinery products and sports items occupy an important and alluring part and parcel of Kashmir products of the biomass which nowhere are nowhere in existence throughout India and unambiguously across the globe. These luxuriant and attractive products are everlasting rather constituting heritage itemization.
Kashimir is as well prominently known for embroidery on silk, wool and even on cotton garments, curtains and other allied furnishings and these materials together with products are fundamentally derivatives of biomass, much of which is from rich and varied biodiversity existing in the Valley.
In a way, the trade and economy in the valley is almost dependent exclusively on biological raw material directly or indirectly whose optimum source is from biomass ensuing from biodiversity in all its forms and ramification. And this calls for boosting and invigoration in a bigger way to ensure and enhance state’s economy for which it is the richest treasure trove throughout India and the best services of the idling youth can be taken use of who are wrongfully channeling their energies.
Tourism industry is predominantly the traditional mainstay of economy of the state which doubtlessly enjoys its unique placement. There is no dearth of beautiful spots in Jammu and Kashmir which are no way inferior to any other place in the entire Himalayan region. Ranging from lower start to the higher echelons, all the spots are attracting, charming and mesmerising as, when and where we talk of beauty, tourism (eco-tourism, temple Tourism ) so on and so fourth.In so far as Jammu region is concerned, right from lakhanpur (gate way to J and K)) we find magnificent spots as those of Bani, Basohili, Billawer (Sukrala Mata, Shiva’s Temple) Udhampur ( Devakar, Krimchi Temples, Shankri Derta, Moungri Cave) Cheneni, Sudhmahadev (Lord Shiva’s Historic Temple) Mantalai to the extent of Dudu Basantgarah- all the spots are dotted with scared spots of sanctimonious importance where the tourists/ pilgrims throng in multihued mumbers pay obeisance for blessings.
(To be continued)