Kashmir’s Natural produce: Rising Global Demand for Shilajit, Dry Fruits and Herbs

Kashmir Shilajit

“Kashmir’s premium products—particularly shilajit, dry fruits, and medicinal herbs—are witnessing strong global demand across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, especially in high-value, niche wellness and specialty food markets.”

Kashmir has long been known as a land of breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and centuries-old traditions. Beyond its scenic beauty, however, the region holds another form of wealth that is increasingly drawing global attention: its natural products. Among these, pure Himalayan shilajit, premium dry fruits, and medicinal herbs have emerged as highly sought-after commodities in international markets. From the Middle East to Europe and North America, demand for Kashmiri natural products is rising steadily, particularly in high-value, niche segments such as wellness, herbal medicine, organic nutrition, and functional foods.

This growing interest is not accidental. It is driven by a convergence of factors: rising global awareness of natural and traditional remedies, a shift toward preventive healthcare, demand for organic and traceable products, and the unique ecological conditions of Kashmir that cannot be replicated elsewhere. As consumers worldwide turn away from synthetic supplements and mass-produced food items, Kashmir’s naturally sourced products are increasingly viewed as authentic, premium, and health-enhancing.

Where to buy Shilajit and other produce : https://jkmpic.blogspot.com/2025/02/boost-your-energy-naturally-with.html

May 7, 2025: How Pakistan’s Aerial Combat in Kashmir Changed History

Pakistan’s Aerial Combat in Kashmir

Pakistan’s aerial combat in Kashmir on May 7, 2025, changed history because it shattered long-standing assumptions about air dominance, escalation control, and the Kashmir conflict itself. For the first time in decades, a high-intensity aerial engagement unfolded directly over disputed territory without spiraling into a full-scale war—exposing the limits of military coercion in South Asia. The engagement demonstrated Pakistan’s operational readiness, precision, and restraint, while also puncturing the myth that India could impose unilateral military outcomes in Kashmir. Strategically, it re-internationalized Kashmir by forcing global powers to acknowledge that the region remains a live, dangerous flashpoint rather than an “internal matter.” Historically, May 7 marked a shift from symbolic deterrence to real combat-tested balance, ensuring that future crises will be approached with greater caution, diplomatic urgency, and recognition of Kashmir’s unresolved status.

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When Atal Bihari Vajpayee Came to Pampur: A Little-Known Kashmir Story from 1977

Vajpayee Pampur Kashmir 1977

By: Ginkgo Gulzar

In 1977, Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a little-known visit to Pampur, Kashmir, to seek medical treatment from Prof. Dr. Shaheed Sheikh Jalal. This inf. explores the historical context of that visit, the reputation of Kashmiri medical practitioners, and why this episode remains largely absent from official records.

The then Foreign Minister was riding in a small car when he appeared in Sheikh Street, Nambalbal , South Kashmir, without any security or police, along with a man. The elders of this area knew Vajpayee, but the common people and children did not know him that much. The funny thing is that at that time he had Rs 261 in his pocket, while he also had half a kilo of toffees in his pocket, which he distributed among the children of the neighborhood. Vajpayee ji was suffering from heart disease angina at that time, after which he repeatedly met Prof. Dr. Shaheed Sheikh  Jalal Sahib in Delhi and inquired about his health. This is what the elders of this neighborhood told me. When Vajpayee was offered Shermal and salty tea from Hima Malini, Vajpayee enjoyed it very much, but in the end, in a way, he told the doctor that Kashmiri tea is gunpowder tea. Salt on salt.

Why Vajpayee visited Pampur in 1977

History often remembers loud moments—summits, speeches, wars—but quietly forgets human episodes that reveal deeper truths. One such overlooked episode dates back to 1977, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a senior Indian leader at the time, reportedly made a low-profile visit to Pampur, Kashmir, to seek medical treatment from  Prof. Dr. Sheikh Jalal, a respected india's leading cardologist  known for his healing expertise.

This visit rarely appears in official biographies or state records, yet it lives on in local memory, oral histories, and journalistic references in Kashmir. Beyond the political identity of Vajpayee, this episode opens a window into a time when Kashmir was known not only for conflict or politics, but also for knowledge, medicine, and trust—even among those who otherwise represented power.

This blog revisits that forgotten moment, not to glorify a leader, but to understand what it reveals about Kashmir’s social, medical, and historical landscape.

Who Was Dr. Sheikh Jalal?
Dr. Sheikh Jalal was among those physicians whose names carried weight in Kashmir during that period. Known locally for his medical insight and healing abilities, he was part of a tradition where medicine combined experience, observation, and inherited knowledge.
While details about his practice are scarce in official archives, oral accounts consistently describe him as a trusted healer, especially for ailments that conventional medicine of the time struggled to resolve.
People from distant regions reportedly sought his treatment, and his reputation rested not on publicity, but on results.
That a national political figure like Vajpayee would seek treatment from Dr. Sheikh Jalal—even quietly—speaks volumes about the credibility Kashmiri physicians once commanded.

Prof. Dr.  Sheikh Jalal, was a down-to-earth more of a human being than a medical practitioner. Money was never his love and had it been the case he would have become a multi-millionaire during the his 45 year long active service. One has yet to see a son as dutiful as Prof. Dr Jalal who preferred to be by the side of his mother, a widow, to earning laurels as a cardiologist in New Delhi.

Prof. Dr Sheikh JALAL (R.A).
He was DM Cardiology AIIMS, New Delhi
He was Prof. and HOD, Deptt. of Cardiology, SKIMS, Srinagar
He was Dean SKIMS,Srinagar
He was Director SKIMS, Srinagar
He was Vice president of DNB/NBE, New Delhi
More than 200 papers are to his credit

Prof. Dr Sheikh Jalal had achieved eminence by his caliber as a cardiologist. And those patients from Jammu and Kashmir who would visit New Delhi or Chandigarh for treatment to their heart ailments would usually refer those patients back to Prof. Dr.  Sheikh Jalal. People and politicians in the valley had complete trust in his expertise as a cardiologist. Had it not been the case Sheikh Abdullah would have not opted for Dr Sheikh Jalal’s opinion when he (Sheikh) fell ill in August-September 1982. Prof. Dr.   Sheikh Jalal spent a number of weeks in the house located behind the Nedous Hotel on the Maulana Azad Road in Srinagar tending to the ailing leader. Though some of the eminent cardiologists from New Delhi and other parts of the country had visited the Sheikh they prescribed medicines only after seeking opinion from Prof. Dr.   Sheikh Jalal.

Dr Sheikh Jalal had many interesting anecdotes to say. One pertained to a senior doctor in the AIIMS. One eminent surgeon, Dr Atma Prakash, had t aken ill during the middle of a night. He used to reside within the faculty complex of the AIIMS. Since he had faith in Dr Sheikh Jalal Atma Prakash called for the young doctor. Dr Sheikh Jalal administered all medicines that were required to revive his heart. But he died in the morning. Whe his body was being carried to the cremation ground Dr Sheikh Jalal was one among a big group of mourners accompanying the body. A couple of sleuths of an Indian intelligence agency, who also accompanied the body,were heard by Jalal asking each other “why Atma Prakash had summoned a muslim when there were other senior doctors available for help ?” They went even to the extent of smelling some mischief from Prof. Dr Sheikh Jalal. Alas! Prof. Dr Sheikh Jalal survived that incident but could not save himself from the bullets. His death is a big loss to his wife, mother and children but a bigger loss to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. What could have been the reason for killers  to attak Prof. Dr Sheikh Jalal ?

He was highly gullible. He was again philanthropist and sympathetic consultant, as if panacea of all illness. My eyes feel a tearful rivulet running down when I recall.

Prof. Dr. S Jalal again a philanthropist, angel like human sympathizer would relieve his patients of pain with his soft touch. I never went to both of them, as a patient, and they declared my heart, a lion’s heart, but the suffering souls were in the Messiha’s  hands with them.He placed trust in everybody and would open his heart before strangers too. His mother would be waiting for her son to get up and have “namkeen chai”(tea added with salt and milk) and chappati made of maize flour for his breakfast. Personally I believe that Dr Sheikh Jalal was a symbol of a man of simple living and high thinking. He did not move out of of Pampore and settle somewhere in Srinagar when he had the option. He had no love for comforts and that is why rustic life suited him. But the gunmen thought otherwise. Peace be to his soul. 

There is no publicly available medical file explaining the exact ailment for which Vajpayee sought treatment. This absence itself is telling.

Medical visits—especially personal ones—were often kept private, and in Vajpayee’s case, there was likely no political motive behind publicizing such a trip. Local narratives suggest that the visit was purely health-related, without any formal political engagement.

This challenges a modern assumption: that Kashmir was always viewed solely through a security lens. In 1977, Kashmir could still be a place of trust, even for someone representing the Indian state at a high level.

A Visit Missing From Official Records
One of the most intriguing aspects of this episode is its near-total absence from official documentation.

Why would such a visit go unrecorded?
Several reasons are plausible:

It was a private medical visit, not an official tour
Media coverage was limited and centralized
Kashmir-related narratives were already selective
Oral history was undervalued compared to written records
Modern historiography often privileges state archives, ignoring local memory. As a result, many human moments—especially those that complicate dominant narratives—fade away.
Yet history is not only what states record; it is also what people remember.
What This Visit Reveals About Kashmir

This forgotten episode reveals a Kashmir that is often missing from mainstream discourse:
A Kashmir known for knowledge and healing, not just unrest
A society where trust crossed political boundaries
A region whose contributions were quietly acknowledged, even by those in power
It also highlights a time when Kashmiri expertise was sought, not sidelined—a sharp contrast to later decades marked by alienation and distrust.

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Hassas Idaray: Understanding Pakistan’s Sensitive Institutions

Hassas Idaray

In Hassas Idaray, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto emerges as a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s political history, navigating a complex relationship with the country’s powerful state institutions. The book examines how Bhutto’s populist leadership, constitutional reforms, and assertive civilian authority brought him into direct conflict with Pakistan’s “sensitive institutions.” Through Bhutto’s rise and fall, Hassas Idaray highlights the enduring tension between democratic governance and institutional power in Pakistan. This analysis sheds light on how Bhutto’s legacy continues to shape civil–military relations, political accountability, and the limits of civilian rule in Pakistan.

The book "Hassas Idaray" is based on Pakistan's sensitive institutions, intelligence agencies and their performance, which is generally written to explain their importance and functions, and his books are available on the Internet Archive where they can be read and downloaded.

From the book *Hassas Idaray* by retired Brigadier *Syed Ahmed Irshad Tirmizi*:
https://archive.org/details/HassasEdarey.

From Kashmir Forest to Pharmacy: How the Taxus Tree Gave the World Taxol

More : https://jkmpic.blogspot.com/2026/01/from-kashmir-forest-to-pharmacy-how.html

Taxol Drug

*"Bhutto is not circumcised, he is non-Muslim"* Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer *Maulana Maududi* alleged that *Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto* is not circumcised, he is non-Muslim! So you will be shocked to know what the answer was:

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto called an Islamic Heads of State Conference in Pakistan during his government. In which the heads of all Muslim countries participated. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto said that the currency of all Muslim countries will be the same. Be it Kuwaiti dinar or Pakistani rupee, all will be equal. Rich Muslim countries will help poor Muslim countries. A global Islamic bank will be established in Pakistan. Arab countries will withdraw their money from the World Bank. They will make the Islamic world a nuclear power. This agreement was signed by the heads of all Muslim countries. When the Arab countries asked for their money back from the World Bank, the World Bank did not have the cash to return the money.

Alarm bells rang in America. Retired ISI Brigadier *Syed Ahmed Irshad Tirmizi* writes in his book *Sensitive Institutions* that US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger came to Pakistan to talk to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was not ready to give up his decisions. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto wanted to make Pakistan a nuclear power. Henry Kissinger said while boarding the plane that if a train is coming from the front, the wise person should get off the track. Prime Minister Bhutto replied: "The elephant's ears are very big." Henry Kissinger got angry and said, "We will make an example of you." After that, America opened its coffers to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. America bought all the religious parties of Pakistan, including the head of Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Abula Ala' Maududi, the head of the Shia community, Allama Syed Arif Hussaini, the head of the Barelvi sect, Allama Shah Ahmed Noorani, the heads of Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadith, and religious and political leaders formed an alliance. Brigadier Retired *Syed Ahmed Irshad Tirmizi* writes in his book *Sensitive Institutions* that a check of 3 million dollars that came from America in the name of the head of Jamaat-e-Islami was received by Sindh Chief Minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. Chief Minister Jatoi sent that photocopy to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. On one hand, Muslims around the world were united under the leadership of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, while on the other hand, Pakistani clerics had forgotten sectarianism and united against the unity of Muslims with the help of American dollars. Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was accused of issuing fatwas of blasphemy and being an agent of Jews and Christians. In reality, the clerics themselves had become agents of Jews and Christians. *Ahmad Irshad Tirmizi* further writes that the call to prayer was given on the rooftops of houses to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Those who gave the call to prayer were paid per call. American dollars started being sold on stalls. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Maulana Maududi alleged that Bhutto was not circumcised and was a non-Muslim. After this, Bhutto's biggest political opponent, Saiyen *GM Syed*, held a press conference and said, "We are definitely against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, but I was friends with his father, Sir *Shahnawaz Bhutto*. We call Sindhi circumcision "Tahar Sunnah" and also perform its ceremony. When Bhutto was circumcised, I also received the invitation card, which I still have. It is incomprehensible to make such an accusation from the language of a religious scholar like Maulana Maududi." Saiyen GM Syed had that invitation card published in all the newspapers.

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Echoes of War: How Trump’s Words Are Shaping U.S.–Iran Conflict Fears

Donald Trump

Trump says that if Iran executes those who spread mischief, the US will take strong action. The question is, shouldn't those in Iran who committed treason, committed terrorism, and tried to push ordinary people to death be punished severely? Every state has the right to deal with those who rise up against its security.

Now, just look at the reality of these same people. A few days ago, a woman in America was shot in the face from a distance of a few feet. She was running away, she did not attack. Later, she was declared a domestic terrorist. This is the same state that teaches others about human rights. On what basis can those who openly say that we do not respect international law threaten another country?

Look at America's own history. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of espionage. They were accused of giving nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union during World War II. In 1953, she was put to death in the electric chair at New York's Sing Sing Prison. This case is still considered controversial. American historians themselves believe that Ethel had no role, but was killed to make an example of her. Below is her famous photo, which is called the kiss of death.

These are the people who talk about human rights. These are the states that opposed strong laws against torture in the United Nations. These are the ones who voted against recognizing food as a basic human right. The words of such people have no moral standing. All this is a false narrative, a narrative imposed by force.

Just yesterday, America, together with Israel, committed genocide in Gaza before our eyes. Those whose character is so dirty, their words are neither principle, nor law, nor humanity.

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Understanding J&K State Subject Law: Why G. D. Bakshi Doesn’t Qualify

Can non-state subjects speak for Kashmir

Who truly has the right to speak for Jammu & Kashmir? This article argues that Major General (Retd.) G. D. Bakshi, not being a State Subject of J&K, lacks the legal and moral standing to represent Jammu and  Kashmiri voices. Drawing on State Subject laws, historical context, and the principle of self-representation, it challenges the dominance of non-Kashmiri narratives in national media and emphasizes that the future of Kashmir must be defined by its own people, not byoutsiders.

Major General (Retd)G. D. Bakshi was born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, and is not a "state subject" of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in the sense of being a native or having a state-subject certificate.

While the surname "Bakshi" is used by Kashmiri Pandits, G. D. Bakshi's family history indicates origins outside the region. His father, S. P. Bakshi, served as the Chief Education Officer of the Jammu & Kashmir State Forces, but the family's place of origin and G. D. Bakshi's birthplace are in Madhya Pradesh. He completed his schooling and attended the National Defence Academy in Pune. 
 
The concept of a "state subject" of J&K refers to a person defined as a permanent resident under the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Constitution (which included specific rights regarding land ownership and employment).

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The Battle India Doesn’t Want to Admit Happened Over Kashmir

The debris of an aircraft lies in the compound of a mosque at Pampore in Pulwama district of Indian-administered Kashmir, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 [File: Dar Yasin/AP Photo]

This article challenges India’s claim that Pakistani forces shot down an Indian aircraft from Pakistani territory. It examines Pakistan’s official position that the aerial engagement took place in Kashmiri airspace, where 20 to 25 Pakistani jets engaged Indian aircraft in a brief but intense dogfight. Analyzing the geography, timelines, radar accounts, and the disputed status of Kashmir, this piece highlights how an air battle over a disputed territory has been politically recast as a cross-loc attack. The article aims to separate military facts from media narratives and highlight the legal and strategic implications of fighting in contested skies. 

Earlier, Pakistan had said that it shot down Indian jets within its territory, but some Indian military experts say that Pakistani jets crossed the Pir Panjal mountains and committed air violations in some areas of Kashmir three times in an hour, almost throughout Kashmir. On the other hand, the Pakistan Air Force says that the Indian jets, after attacking Pakistan, fled towards Kashmir instead of India, which is why Pakistani jets chased them and shot them down in Kashmir.

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Pakistan’s global defense exports jump

In the past 6 months, 16 countries including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe

• Official expressions of interest

• Negotiations for procurement, or

• Initiation of initial procurement process

These developments show that Pakistan is rapidly becoming a global defense supplier, especially in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

In a divided world, Nepal walks ahead—where faiths don’t clash, they converse

 

While the world debates tolerance, Nepal practices it

Nepal stands out in today’s fractured world as a living example of mutual religious tolerance. Hinduism and Buddhism—though distinct—are deeply interwoven in daily life, often sharing sacred spaces, festivals, and rituals. Alongside them, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and indigenous Kirat traditions coexist with dignity and social acceptance. This harmony is not enforced by law alone but sustained by culture, history, and community practice, where faith is seen as a personal path rather than a political weapon. Religious identity in Nepal rarely translates into hostility; instead, it fosters coexistence rooted in respect and shared humanity. 

At a time when many societies struggle with polarization and religious conflict, Nepal quietly demonstrates that pluralism can thrive without erasing differences. Its model reminds the world that tolerance is strongest when it grows naturally from society itself, not from fear or compulsion.

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Why the Balochistan Issue Is Not the Same as the Kashmir Dispute

 

UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India & Pakistan)

Ginkgo Gulzar
(Academc International Research ID: ISSN: 0975-3095)

The Balochistan issue and the Kashmir dispute are often compared in political debates, but in reality, they are fundamentally different in origin, legal status, and international recognition. The Kashmir dispute is an internationally acknowledged conflict, rooted in the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent and governed by United Nations resolutions that recognize the right of self-determination. It involves multiple parties and remains on the global diplomatic agenda.

In contrast, Balochistan is a province within Pakistan, and its unrest is widely considered an internal political and governance issue. It does not carry international legal status, UN mediation, or disputed territorial claims between states. While grievances in Balochistan relate to development, representation, and rights, equating it with Kashmir oversimplifies complex realities and distorts historical facts.

UN Presence in Srinagar

Historically, the UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) has maintained a field/hq presence in Srinagar seasonally to monitor ceasefire observations along the Line of Control. Its headquarters alternate between Srinagar (May to October) and Islamabad (November to April).

The revocation of Article 370 by India in August 2019 altered the internal constitutional and administrative framework of Jammu and Kashmir by ending its special status and reorganizing it into two Union Territories. However, this domestic legal change did not resolve the long-standing international dispute over the region. Jammu and Kashmir continues to be regarded as a disputed territory in United Nations discourse, based on earlier UN Security Council resolutions that called for a peaceful settlement between India and Pakistan. While India maintains that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 was final and that the matter is an internal issue, Pakistan and international bodies continue to view the region’s status as unresolved. Consequently, despite administrative changes within India, the broader territorial dispute remains diplomatically and legally contested at the international level.

What changed in 2019 Article 370 was revoked by India (Aug 2019) Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized into two Union Territories This was a domestic constitutional change

What did not change UN Security Council resolutions were not withdrawn Pakistan continues to dispute the territory UN documents and statements still refer to Kashmir as disputed

Different positions (important)

India: Kashmir is an integral part of India; dispute is bilateral, UN has no role UN: Status remains unresolved under earlier resolutions

Key legal point A domestic constitutional act cannot by itself change an international dispute Only a mutually accepted settlement can do that

One-line exam answer Revocation of Article 370 changed India’s internal governance of Jammu & Kashmir but did not end its disputed status at the international/UN level.

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From Secretariat to Social Media: The Facebookisation of Governance in JK

JK Saffron Act-2007

In recent years, social media—especially Facebook—has become a primary communication tool for ministers in Jammu and Kashmir. While digital platforms can improve transparency and public outreach, an over-reliance on online visibility risks creating a gap between announcements and actual governance. This blog examines how frequent posts, photo-ops, and updates often dominate timelines, while many citizens continue to face unresolved issues on the ground, from basic services to administrative delays. It raises an important question: can governance be measured in likes and shares, or in timely decisions and real outcomes? By analysing public expectations, administrative responsibility, and the limits of social-media-driven politics, the article calls for a shift from symbolic communication to result-oriented leadership. True governance, it argues, must be experienced in people’s daily lives—not just displayed on a screen.

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Pecan Tree Farming: The Most Profitable Nut Crop in the World

Pecan Tree Farming in Kashmir

Pecan nuts command premium prices in global markets due to their unique combination of taste, nutrition, limited supply, and strong demand from high-value food industries. Unlike many other nuts, pecans have a rich, buttery flavor and soft texture that makes them a preferred ingredient in premium bakery products, chocolates, ice creams, and gourmet snacks.

One major reason for higher prices is supply concentration. Nearly 80–85% of the world’s pecan production comes from the United States, with limited commercial production elsewhere. This geographic concentration makes pecans vulnerable to climate fluctuations, increasing scarcity and pushing prices upward in international markets.

Pecans are also valued for their exceptional nutritional profile—rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins B and E, and essential minerals. With the global shift toward heart-healthy and plant-based diets, demand for pecans has grown rapidly in Europe, China, Japan, and the Middle East.

Additionally, pecan trees take many years to reach full commercial bearing, which limits quick expansion of supply. Combined with long shelf life, excellent processing quality, and high kernel recovery, pecans remain a preferred choice for exporters and food processors willing to pay premium rates.

As global consumption rises and production remains limited, pecan nuts continue to enjoy strong price stability and long-term premium positioning in international markets.

Pecan Varieties for Kashmir / Uttarakhand/Punjab and other cold degions

1. Stuart

Description: One of the most widely planted commercial pecan cultivars with reliable yields.

Why it’s good: Adaptable to varying climates and moderately cold-tolerant, making it suitable for temperate Himalayan valleys.

Nut quality: Medium to large nuts with good cracking quality.

Use: Great all-purpose variety for fresh market and processing.

2. Mahan

Description: Produces large nuts and performs well in somewhat cooler conditions.

Why it’s good: Early maturing with good adaptability to hill climates.

Consideration: Slightly lower shelling quality compared to some others, but still popular.

Use: Suitable for commercial planting in mid-hills.

3. Western Schley

Description: A well-known classic pecan variety with sweet, thin-shelled kernels.

Why it’s good: Good yields and popular in diverse pecan climates; fairly consistent producer.

Use: Excellent for markets where kernel appearance and eating quality matter.

Note: Performs better where humidity isn’t too high. 

4. Pawnee

Description: Early-bearing, compact pecan cultivar that can start cropping sooner than others.

Why it’s good: Good for growers who want earlier returns and easier management in hill orchards.

Use: Works well in smaller orchards or mixed farms.

5. Caddo and Choctaw (Support Pollinators & Yield)

Why consider: These are robust, high-yielding varieties with good disease resistance.

Best use: Often planted with other varieties for improved cross-pollination (pecans need compatible pollinators of different flowering types) and better overall yield.

Climate: Do well in diverse conditions and are part of commercial pecan plans globally.

Tips for Hill Regions (Kashmir / Uttarakhand/Punjab & other cold regions of India

Chilling requirement: Pecans need about 400–600 hours below ~7 °C to break dormancy and set a good crop. Regions with cold winters and warm summers are ideal. 

Pollination: Plant at least two different compatible varieties nearby to ensure good nut set. 

Spacing & site: Deep, well-drained soils with full sun exposure are crucial.

Availability : Plant/Seeds

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More : https://jkmpic.blogspot.com/2026/01/pecan-farming-most-profitable-nut-crop.html

How Ginkgo Came from China to Kashmir (via Kashmir Central Asia Economic Corridor-KCAEC)

Central Asian plant influence Kashmir

By Sheikh Gulzar| Writer-South Asia 

Kashmir’s landscape is often read through its chinars, willows and poplars. Yet, standing quietly in a few old gardens and institutional compounds is a tree whose story stretches back more than 200 million years and thousands of kilometres — Ginkgo biloba.

Often called a “living fossil,” ginkgo is native to China. Its presence in Kashmir is not accidental, nor recent. It is deeply tied to the region’s historic role as a crossroads of civilisations along the Silk Route, connecting China with Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

A Tree That Traveled with Ideas
Ginkgo survived in China largely because it was protected by Buddhist monasteries, valued for both its medicinal properties and symbolic significance. As Buddhism spread beyond China, monks carried not only scriptures but also medicinal plants and seeds. Along with traders and caravans, these biological travellers moved westward through Xinjiang and Central Asia, eventually reaching Kashmir.

For centuries, Kashmir served as a gateway between Central Asia and South Asia. Goods, people, and knowledge passed through its mountain corridors. Plants such as walnut, apricot, poplar and saffron are known to have arrived through these routes. Ginkgo fits naturally into this historical pattern.

Climate as a Silent Ally
Kashmir’s temperate climate made the valley a natural refuge for ginkgo. The tree tolerates extreme cold, resists disease and pollution, and lives for centuries. These qualities allowed it to survive even as landscapes and political regimes changed.

Unlike commercial crops, ginkgo remained marginal — planted in select locations rather than fields. This limited spread explains why it is rare, yet persistent, in Kashmir.

Forgotten Heritage, Living Evidence
Today, ginkgo trees in Kashmir are often overlooked. Many residents are unaware of their medicinal importance or their role as living evidence of Kashmir’s place in global history. In an era when heritage conservation focuses mainly on monuments, these trees remind us that botanical heritage is equally political and cultural.

The ginkgo’s journey tells a larger story: Kashmir was never isolated. It was — and remains — part of a wider Asian continuum of trade, medicine and knowledge exchange.

Why It Matters Now
As climate change and unplanned urbanisation threaten Kashmir’s ecology, rediscovering such species offers both scientific and cultural value. Ginkgo is resilient, medicinally significant, and symbolic of sustainable coexistence with nature.

Preserving it is not just about saving a tree — it is about reclaiming Kashmir’s identity as a historic bridge between worlds.

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The Strategic Importance of a Kashmir–Central Asia Economic Corridor

 

Kashmir-Central Asia Economic Corridor Tunnel

The primary infrastructure projects facilitating a Kashmir-Central Asia Economic Corridor via Kashmir are the Zojila Tunnel and the Z-Morh Tunnel. These projects are crucial components of the National Highway 1 (NH-1) expansion, designed to provide all-weather, year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Central Asia, ultimately targeting improved access to Central Asia.

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How to Earn Lakhs from Mulethi Farming: Yield, Cost & Market Price

 

Mulethi farming

Cultivating Liquorice in Kashmir: A Guide to Growing This Versatile Herb

Liquorice (or licorice) plants are known for their medicinal and flavoring properties and have been cultivated in various regions worldwide. In Kashmir, liquorice is of particular interest due to its traditional uses in local medicine and cuisine.

Liquorice in Kashmir:

1. Botanical Aspects:

   • Scientific Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
   • Habitat: Liquorice grows in a variety of climates but thrives in regions with well-drained soil. In Kashmir, it is often found in the foothills and in areas with a temperate climate.

2. Uses:

   • Medicinal: Liquorice root is used in traditional Kashmiri medicine to treat respiratory issues, digestive problems, and skin conditions. It has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
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   • Culinary: The root is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in local sweets and beverages.

3. Cultivation:

   • Climate: The climate of Kashmir is generally favorable for liquorice cultivation, especially in areas with a temperate climate and well-drained soil.
   • Care: The plant requires moderate irrigation and benefits from a sunny to partially shaded environment.

4. Economic Importance:

   • Liquorice cultivation in Kashmir can be economically beneficial due to its demand in both local and international markets. The roots are harvested after about 2-3 years of growth and are processed for various uses.

Cultural and Historical Context:

• Traditional Medicine: Liquorice has been used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for centuries. In Kashmir, it is often included in herbal remedies and tonics.
• Historical Use: The plant's use in Kashmir dates back to ancient times, with historical texts and local practices reflecting its significance.

Where to buy: Seed/plants 

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Kashmir’s Chinars: Can Geo-Tagging Save the Dying Heritage?

Chinar trees during autumn in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir. Photo/Sheikh Gulzar

Numan Bhat, Rehan Qayoom Mir

Free Academic Articles | Science Articles For Students | Kashmir Times

Kashmir’s Chinars: Can Geo-Tagging Save the Dying Heritage?
A symbol of Kashmir’s identity, with links to Central Asia, faces an uncertain future

Full Academic Article : https://kashmirtimes.com/features/geo-tagging-chinars-symbolic-gesture-or-real-conservation-effort#:~:text=Experts%20insist%20that%20geo-tagging,third-largest%20in%20the%20world. 

Published on: 

05 Feb 2025, 1:46 am

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