Srinagar, May 20: The rapid retreat of the Thajwas Glacier near the tourist resort of Sonamarg is exposing a dramatic glacial landscape that experts say preserves evidence of Kashmir’s ancient ice history and could emerge as an important geo-heritage site in the Himalayas.

Hydro-geologist Riyaz Ahmad Mir of the National Institute of Hydrology said the glacier’s deglaciation has uncovered well-developed moraines, extensive outwash plains, and other depositional landforms that offer insights into the Kashmir’s glacial evolution, paleoclimate variability, and cryospheric history.

“Even as the Thajwas Glacier has experienced substantial retreat, this localised glacial shrinkage has not necessarily translated into uniformly negative impacts,” Mir said. “The process of deglaciation has prominently exposed a range of glacial geomorphic features that now provide valuable insights into the Kashmir’s glacial history and landscape evolution.”

Mir said the exposed terrain represents “an important natural archive” of past glaciation and environmental change in the Kashmir Himalayas.

“These features collectively represent an important natural archive of past glaciation and deglaciation history of the region,” he said.

The changing landscape has also altered the tourism profile of Kashmir, long known for its snowfields and alpine scenery.

“The deglaciated landscape, with its scenic terrain and accessible geomorphic features, has significantly enhanced the aesthetic and touristic appeal of the Thajwas Valley,” Mir said. “Today, the area serves as a major tourist destination, attracting visitors, filmmakers, and outdoor recreation activities. In this context, deglaciation in Kashmir can be viewed, to some extent, as a blessing in disguise.”

He said the region has strong potential to be developed as a geo-heritage site and stressed the need to regulate construction and infrastructure expansion in sensitive geomorphic zones.

“Future planning for the area should prioritize geo-heritage conservation and scientific value over unregulated development,” Mir said. “Infrastructure expansion and construction activities need to be carefully regulated or restricted within and around these sensitive geomorphic zones to preserve their integrity.”

Various studies have found that the Thajwas Glacier has lost nearly 95 percent of its ice spread since the last Ice Age.

One such study, published in Geoscience Frontiers by researchers from the University of Kashmir and the Inter-University Accelerator Centre, found that the glacier, which covered nearly 54 sq km during the global Last Glacial Maximum around 20,770 years ago, has now shrunk to about 2.76 sq km.

“Thajwas is now a relict of a glacier,” said Ghulam Jeelani, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir. “What we are seeing today are merely remnants of a much larger glacier system that once occupied entire Kashmir.”

Researchers reconstructed the glacier’s evolution over the last 20,000 years using cosmogenic radionuclide Beryllium-10 exposure dating and geomorphological mapping.

According to the study, the glacier’s ice volume declined from about 2.73 cubic km during the Ice Age to only 0.09 cubic km today.

Researchers also found that the glacier’s equilibrium line altitude – the elevation where annual snowfall equals melting -shifted upward by around 873 meters, from 3365 meters above sea level during the Ice Age to 4238 meters today, reflecting sustained warming in the Himalayan region.

The study estimated temperatures in the Thajwas Valley during the Last Glacial Maximum were about 5.7 degrees Celsius lower than present-day conditions, enabling the glacier to extend nearly 10 km farther down the valley than it does today.

“The reconstruction of paleo-glacial history is important for understanding how Himalayan glaciers respond to climatic shifts,” the researchers said in the study. “It also helps in assessing future risks linked to glacier retreat and water security.”

Srinagar, May 20: A high-level delegation led by Akhtar Ul Iman Sahib, MLA and Chairman, Minorities Welfare Committee, Bihar Legislative Assembly, today called upon Grand Mufti of Jammu & Kashmir,  Nasir ul Islam Farooqi Sahib, at his residence and held an extensive interaction on important socio-political, religious and public welfare matters concerning the Muslim community and society at large.

During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the prevailing social challenges, communal harmony, moral responsibilities of leadership, educational upliftment, youth engagement and the larger role of religious institutions in safeguarding peace, stability and brotherhood across the country.

The delegation paid glowing tributes to the visionary leadership, intellectual depth and tireless contribution of Mufti e Azam Nasir ul Islam Farooqi Sahib towards society, particularly his consistent efforts for communal harmony, social justice, religious guidance and constructive public engagement. The members stated that Mufti Sahib has emerged as a powerful and respected voice of wisdom, moderation and responsible leadership whose influence extends far beyond Jammu & Kashmir.

Janab Akhtar Ul Iman Sahib highly appreciated the courageous and balanced role of Grand Mufti Sahib in addressing sensitive social and political matters with wisdom, dignity and foresight. He remarked that such influential religious leadership is the need of the hour for strengthening unity, confidence and democratic values within society.

The delegation assured Grand Mufti Sahib of their complete cooperation, solidarity and unwavering support in all constructive initiatives aimed at the welfare of the people, strengthening inter-community relations and promoting peace, justice and mutual respect. Both sides also emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between religious scholars, intellectuals and public representatives for addressing the concerns of the common people effectively.

The meeting concluded on a positive and cordial note with a collective resolve to further strengthen mutual relations, public outreach and collaborative efforts for the betterment of society and the nation.

Srinagar, May 20: Reacting to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘traitor’ remark on Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the BJP was reaping what it sowed after years of labelling Muslims and secular people as traitors.

Mufti was responding to a question about Gandhi calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah traitors, who “worked to sell India” — remarks that stirred a political storm.

Speaking to reporters in Shopian, the former chief minister brushed aside the controversy over Gandhi’s remark.

“Why is there so much hue and cry if Rahul Gandhi has said something? It was the BJP which started calling Muslims and secular persons as traitors,” she said.

“Earlier, they (BJP) used to say ‘go to Pakistan’, now they are saying ‘go to Iran’. The houses of Muslims were bulldozed, but nobody said a word,” she said.

Mufti said the BJP was being haunted by its own deeds.

“They (BJP) sowed the seeds, and now it is coming back at them,” she added.

Gandhi triggered a massive political row after he alleged that the BJP insulted freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar.

Speaking at a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, he said that the Modi government’s policies damaged India’s economy.

“When these RSS workers come before you and talk about Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, then tell them openly that your prime minister is a traitor, your home minister is a traitor, and your organisation is a traitor,” he said.

“Tell them that they have worked to sell out India, that they have attacked our institutions, attacked our Constitution, attacked Dr Ambedkar, attacked Veera Pasi, and attacked Mahatma Gandhi,” he added.

Srinagar, May 20: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued a series of administrative directions, including encouraging virtual hearings, suspending Leave Travel Concession (LTC) facilities and shifting official activities online, in view of the nationwide call for “Economic Self-Defence” and concerns over rising crude oil prices and energy security.

According to a circular issued by the Office of the Registrar General at Srinagar on Tuesday, the measures will remain in force until further orders.

The circular stated that with effect from May 21, 2026, the High Court will encourage virtual hearings and virtual appearances by advocates, subject to the prescribed decorum and protocol for online proceedings.

It further stated that during the court vacation period commencing from June 8, 2026, the nominated Vacation Benches would hear matters through virtual mode. However, advocates unable to participate through video conferencing due to unavoidable reasons may appear physically whenever the courts function in physical mode.

The High Court also directed that no physical administrative inspection or visit to districts shall be conducted until further orders and that all administrative meetings will be held virtually.

In another major decision, the LTC facility for judicial officers and High Court staff, except for those already granted the benefit, has been suspended till further orders. The circular clarified that the LTC block period would be extended by one month for every month during which the facility remains unavailable.

The circular also stated that the Judicial Academy shall not conduct any physical training programmes. All training sessions, workshops, orientations and related academic activities will now be conducted through virtual mode only.

Additionally, officers of the Registry have been asked to pool transport facilities wherever feasible to minimise fuel consumption and ensure optimal utilisation of official resources.