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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Horticulture in Kashmir


The state of Jammu and Kashmir is three administrative regions, i.e. Jammu, Kashmir, and  Ladakh. The state is divided into 5 physiographic regions i.e. Trans Himalayas, Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, Shiwaliks and Plains  which have been further divided into 9 landforms and they are enumerated below:

  1. Glaciers
  2. Hills and Plateaus of Trans-Himalayas
  3. Hills of Greater Himalayas
  4. Hills of Lesser Himalayas
  5. Hill of Shiwaliks
  6. Narrow Valleys
  7. Broad Valleys
  8. Piedmont Plains
  9. Alluvial Plains

The Geo-agroclimatic  diversity of the  Kashmir offers vast potential for cultivating various kinds and varieties of fruits throughout its length and breadth. The state of Kashmir has four distinct Agro Climatic Zones i.e. Sub-tropical, Intermediate  (Sub-temperate), Temperate and Cold Arid Zone. Such an orientation of fruit growing to this varied type of climate formed the corner stone of strategy for development of Horticulture in the state of Kashmir.

Kashmir which is famous for the cultivation of temperate fruits like apple, pear, cherry, plum, apricort, peach, almond, walnut, Kiwi-Actinide fotidae, Pecannut, Strwberry, Zaitoon-Olea europaea, Olive, Hazelnut, Goji berry, Sea Buckthorn etc.

The  Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC, is a pioneer institution to start cultivation of important indigenous medicinal plants and introduce many from other parts of the world. A preliminary study on cultivation of medicinal plants in Jammu and Kashmir was from this institution.

Planting/seed materials are always available for research purpose:

For more details:-
Sheikh GULZAAR
Head
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
R&D division : Sonamarag (Kashmir)
Ph: (Resi) 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794

Friday, February 17, 2012

Kashmiri Prisoner in Kolkata's Guantanamo Bay

State Brutality knows no Frontiers: Kashmiri Prisoner in Kolkata's Guantanamo Bay

Amit Bhattacharyya
Secretary General, Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners(CRPP)
(On 31 October 2010, the Hindustan Times, Kolkata edition published a front-page report captioned "Kolkata's Guantanamo Bay" where it was reported that on October 15,when the entire city was celebrating Saptami during the Pujas, Sheikh Farhat Mehmood, a 29-year-old Kashmiri under-trial prisoner lodged in Presidency Jail, Kolkata, West Bengal, was stripped, tortured and kept naked throughout the night in his cell: Mehboob's offence: he protested against the quality of food and demanded his basic rights according to jail rule. Following the 'punishment', Farhat observed a two-day hunger-strike in the jail. The matter was hushed up by the Presidency jail authorities. The picture of the prisoner in a naked state was published in the paper. On the next day-1 November-the Bandi Mukti Committee(Committee for the Release of Prisoners, a human rights forum  based in West Bengal) organized a demonstration against it and took out a procession comprising about 100 people and went to the Presidency Jail gate and demonstrated. They were denied permission to meet Farhat. On 2 November 2010, the HindustanTimes, Kolkata edition came out with another report which I am sending to you all for conveying the message that state brutality knows no frontiers and that there are many Guantanamo Bays in 'the land of the largest democracy of the world' also. Such acts of brutality, sadistic torture, deserve universal condemnation and should not go unpunished.)
The said report is as follows:

"Protests over Jail Stripping" ht Impact
Kolkata: The jail department initiated a probe on Monday, even as it denied any incident of stripping of a prisoner inside Presidency Jail. On Sunday, Hindustan Times reported a case of stripping of Sheikh Farhat Megmood, a 29-year-old under-trial from Srinagar, inside his solitary cell on the night of October 15.

The situation has taken a curious turn, with the Srinagar Bar association calling a press conference at the Sadar Court at Lalchowk, Srinagar, on Tuesday to condemn the incident.

"Such incidents should be condemned and the guilty must immediately be punished. We've called a press conference to highlight the issue", said Ajaj Dadar, vice-president of the association.

"We've initiated a probe. There's been no torture or stripping. It may be that, somehow, the inmate took his own pictures on a cell phone and sent it out", said BD Sharma, ADG(Prisons) at Writers Buildings.

However, Sharma could not clarify several pertinent points. Even if his point is accepted, why would Mehboob strip himself? How could he take his own photograph when he was trying to cover himself with both hands? How could someone enter the cell of a high security prisoner with a cell phone and take his naked picture?

On the question of a cell phone being sneaked into the solitary cell, Sharma said, "We're looking into it. We have to look after so many thousand inmates and have just a handful of staff". He, however, said the department would write to the government to spped up Farhat's trial.

On Monday, human rights organization Bandi Mukti Committee demonstrated outside Presidency Jail demanding that the jail authorities stop treating inmates brutally. The organization took out a rally to protest against the incident. About 100 activists marched to Presidency Jail and demonstrated against the atrocities.

Chhoton Das, secretary of the committee, said, "We've submitted a deputation to the jail superintendent. We wanted to meet the inmate, but were not allowed. Our main demand is punishment of the person guilty of torturing Mehmood".

Monday, February 6, 2012

Wild flowers of Kashmir


The  Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC, is a pioneer institution to start cultivation of important indigenous medicinal plants and introduce many from other parts of the world. A preliminary study on cultivation of medicinal plants in Jammu and Kashmir was from this institution. Subsequently lot of work on cultivation and improvement was done on selected plants by different   scientists and a consolidated account on cultivation and utilization of these plants was published (Sheikh GULZAAR, 2002 & 2007).

Availability of  Seed/Planting material for research purpose only
(The following seeds  and planting material is available for distribution/purchase for Research institutions, universities, associations and NGOs)

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ABOUT OUR SEEDS
The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre-JKMPIC specialises in seeds and plants that are the backbone of organic and permaculture systems. These include a wide range of open-pollinated, heirloom medicinal, fruit, herbal, vegetable seeds, rare edibles, living mulches, green manures and insectary plants for beneficial insects.


SEED QUALITY
We specialise in high quality seed with a guaranteed viability and purity and so we appreciate very much when gardeners let us if know they have an occasional problem with seed germination. This allows us to further improve our growing information and triggers additional germination testing to pinpoint any problems. Germination testing is carried out on a regular basis to check that the viability of seed is being maintained throughout the year.

OPEN POLLINATED SEEDS/Non-hybrid
Our seeds are nearly all open-pollinated and so are able to be grown again from seed you save yourself. Open-pollinated seeds are genetically diverse treasures that have been passed on from generation to generation. When you buy and plant open-pollinated seeds you are helping to protect this valuable resource for the future.

SEED SAVING
Saving open-pollinated (OP) seeds protects our global food heritage.Growing open pollinated seeds and saving some for next year's crop is a practical and economical option for home gardeners.

HEIRLOOM SEEDS
Most of our open-pollinated seeds are also considered heirloom or heritage seed. These are herb, flower and vegetable varieties that were bred and handed down by generations of gardeners and farmers. These varieties have stood the test of time, gardeners have saved them year after year because they were recognised for their superior qualities such as great flavour, good yield or disease resistance.

SEED PACKING
Our seeds are packed in simple plain paper, 90 mm x 145 mm, re-sealable packets with an inner cliplock plastic bag that is also resealable. Our intention is to avoid as much as possible glossy paper and full-colour printing due to its greater environmental impact. The paper packets can be composted. The inner cliplock bag helps greatly to maintain the seed's viability as it resists moisture far better than just a paper packet alone. Each Packet contains 50-100 seeds.

GROWING INFORMATION
Seed packets are printed with detailed growing information to help you with successful seed raising. In addition a free leaflet Successful Seed Raising Guide is provided with each seed purchase.

SEED TREATMENT
Please be aware that much of the seed retailed in South Asia  is chemically treated with fungicides. The JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre does not use chemical treatments, our organic solution to weevils is diatomaceous earth, the grey, powdery coating on some of our seeds. Sometimes a hot water seed treatment is worthwhile if you have been having persistent disease problems.

Effective 01/02/2012 / Due to the volatility of shortages in the seed markets, Prices can change on a semi daily bases. Please place your order we will notify you of higher or lower prices on your purchase date.

For more details:-
Sheikh GULZAAR
Head
The JK Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
R&D division : Sonamarag (Kashmir)
Ph: (Resi) 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794