Srinagar, Mar 31: An official admission has validated the concerns of a crisis building up in the high mountains of Kashmir.

At least five glacial lakes in the Kashmir Himalaya have been classified as posing a “very high risk” of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

These lakes could devastate downstream areas in Ganderbal, Shopian, and Kulgam districts, under certain conditions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in Assembly on Tuesday.

The government said that the lakes – Bramsar, Chirsar, Nundkol, Gangabal, and Bhagsar are under the label of “very high susceptibility”.

The revelations have come as reply to question of MLA Tanvir Sadiq.

Replying to the question, CM Omar said the assessment provides a baseline for understanding vulnerability and prioritising future detailed studies.

The government replied in affirmative to the question on whether the recent scientific studies published in the Journal of Glaciology have classified these lakes as GLOFs.

“The study analysed 155 glacial lakes using a set of hydro-geomorphic indicators, including lake expansion rate, stability of their dams and surrounding conditions,” the government said. “On the basis of these indicators, a small number of lakes including Bramsar, Chirsar, Nundkol, Gangabal and Bhagsar were categorised under the ‘very high susceptibility’ class relative to other lakes in the region.”

In a statement that appears to decipher the risk, the CM said, “However, it’s important to note that a lake classified as high susceptibility simply means that, if specific triggering conditions were to occur, it may be more prone to an outburst compared to others. This does not imply that the lake is currently unstable, actively breaching or likely to fail in the immediate future.”

The government said that it had carried out independent risk mapping of downstream habitations and infrastructure in view of the scientific study findings.

“As part of the study, a first-order approximation of downstream exposure was undertaken using geospatial analysis to identify habitations and critical infrastructure located along potential downstream flow paths from selected glacial lakes at risk,” the CM said.

He said that the preliminary assessment provides a baseline understanding of downstream vulnerability and serves as an initial framework for prioritizing areas where more detailed scientific investigations may be required in the future.

Shockingly, the government said, the five lakes threaten “2704 buildings, around 15 major bridges, segments of road infrastructure and one hydro-power plant in their immediate downstream areas.”

It said that the future course of action include continuous monitoring of high-susceptibility lakes through remote sensing and targeted field assessments, installation of effective early-warning mechanisms, development of eco-zonation plans in downstream vulnerable areas and integration of informed GLOF-risk scenarios into district-level disaster preparedness and response plans.

While acknowledging the critical need to carry out detailed assessment of the magnitude of the risk, the government said that precise estimation of flood magnitude, velocity and warning time is necessary and requires reliable information on glacial lake volume.

“Such information can only be obtained through field-based bathymetric (depth) measurements which are presently unavailable for most glacial lakes in the Himalayan region,” it said in the reply.

While detailing the reliance on the researchers at the Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir involved in this work, the government said, “GLOF early-warning systems specifically tailored for mountain environments are under development. These efforts involve integrating satellite-based monitoring, field observations, sensor-based hydrometeorological measurements, and near-real-time communication frameworks”.

The Department of Geoinformatics recently procured a high-precision RTK-enabled robotic echo-sounding boat with the financial assistance from Ministry of Earth Sciences.

A detailed analysis of western Himalayas through support from various stakeholders is in pipeline I. 2026.

Srinagar, Mar 31: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday acknowledged a decline in student admissions across Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) over the past two academic years, including at GDC Bijbehara.

The disclosure came in a written reply by the Minister in-charge for Education to a question raised by MLA Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, who had sought details on the number of functional colleges and student enrolment trends.

According to the reply, there are currently 143 Government Degree Colleges and GCETs across J&K with active enrolment. However, the government admitted that overall student intake has witnessed a decline in recent years.

“There has been a slight decline in the overall student enrolment of GDC Bijbehara during the previous two years. Colleges across the region have been witnessing some decline owing to a variety of factors affecting admission patterns,” the reply stated.

The government said the Higher Education Department (HED) has initiated several measures to strengthen admissions and improve outreach. These include the introduction of a centralised admission portal and rationalisation of subject offerings in line with student demand.

It added that the implementation of the fourth year under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) has generated renewed interest among students. As a result, enrolment has shown improvement during the 2025–26 academic session, with colleges in Anantnag district recording an increase of about 11.8 per cent.

The government expressed hope that GDC Bijbehara would also witness a similar improvement in the coming academic sessions.

Responding to concerns over the establishment of colleges without proper feasibility assessment, the government said new institutions are set up strictly as per prescribed norms. Proposals are examined by a duly constituted committee that evaluates factors such as feeder school enrolment, distance from nearby colleges, land availability, and regional requirements.

It, however, noted that utilisation levels of institutions are dynamic and may vary depending on enrolment trends, demographic changes, accessibility, and evolving educational preferences. In some cases, lower enrolment has resulted in under-utilisation of certain colleges.

The government further informed that the HED regularly reviews the performance and functioning of GDCs, including enrolment levels, academic programmes, infrastructure, and regional needs. Based on these assessments, steps such as restructuring or revising courses are undertaken to align education with employment opportunities.

On the status of GDC Baghi-e-Dilawar Khan and GDC Chattisinghpora, the government said both institutions currently have no active student enrolment due to insufficient admissions to sustain academic activity.

It added that two non-teaching staff members are presently posted at GDC Chattisinghpora for maintenance and security of infrastructure, while no staff is currently deployed at GDC Baghi-e-Dilawar Khan. Both colleges are under the administrative control of GDC Anantnag and SP College Srinagar, respectively.

Srinagar, Mar 31: BJP General Secretary (Organization) J&K, Ladakh Ashok Koul on Tuesday addressed party workers during the Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan held in Kokernag constituency at Breng Kokernag, hosted at Hotel Green Gallery.

District President Rakesh Koul, Senior BJP leaders Sofi Yousuf, Nazir Ahmad, Adv Wajahat Hussain, Abid Hussain, and Chaudhary Roshan were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Koul stated that the Pandit Deen Dayal Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan 2026 is a key initiative of the Bharatiya Janata Party aimed at strengthening the ideological foundation and enhancing the efficiency of its cadre. He noted that such training programs help workers develop better organizational understanding, communication skills, and leadership qualities necessary for effective public engagement.

He further remarked that the party’s strength lies in its committed workers who act as a bridge between the government and the people. Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and discipline, Koul urged party activists to remain actively connected with the masses, listen to their issues, and contribute towards their resolution with dedication and sincerity.

Koul added that BJP’s focus remains on building a strong grassroots structure backed by well-trained and ideologically aware workers who can effectively carry forward the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ensure last-mile delivery of welfare schemes.

Other speakers on other topics also underlined the importance of unity, coordination, and sustained outreach efforts, encouraging party workers to stay devoted to the party’s principles and work collectively for its growth in the region.

Srinagar, Mar 31: A Pulwama anti-corruption court on Tuesday convicted five individuals in a decades-old case involving a fraudulent government teacher appointment, sentencing them to jail terms and fines for corruption and forgery.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said in a significant verdict reinforcing the commitment to combat corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Pulwama, Dr. Noor Mohamad Mir, convicted 1. Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh S/O Assad Sheikh R/O Dadsar Tral, 2. Bashir Ahmad Shah S/O Wali Mohd Shah R/O Dadsar Tral, 3. Syed Showkeen Andrabi S/O Syed Sharief Andrabi R/O Chandgam Nownagri Pulwama, 4. Mohammad Ashraf Khan S/O Ab. Aziz Khan R/O Naina, Batpora and 5. Hamida Akhter D/o Ghulam Ahmad Salroo R/O Bijbehara accused in Criminal Case titled “State of J&K (Now UT of J&K) through P/S VOK (Now ACB) V/S Assad Ullah Lone and Ors”, covered by Case FIR No. 110/1998 U/S 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Sec 468 r/w 471, 120-B/RPC of P/S VOK (Now ACB).

He said, the accused persons were found guilty under Sections 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, and Sec 468 r/w 471, 120-B/RPC, for fake appointment of accused No (06) Hamida Akhter D/O Ghulam Ahmad Salroo R/O Bijbehara as teacher in Govt High School Goripora in District Pulwama.

“On 15-09-1998, P/S VOK (now ACB) received information from reliable sources to the effect that one Hamida Akhter D/O Ghulam Ahmad Salroo R/O Bijbehara has been working fraudulently on the post of teacher in Govt High School Goripora District Pulwama,” said the spokesperson.

He said, the fraud and fake appointment of accused No (06) has been possible due to criminal involvement of accused Nos 01 to 05 (Accused No 01, namely Assad Ullah Lone now expired).

“On receipt of this information Case FIR No. 110/1998 U/S 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Sec 468 r/w 471, 120-B/RPC was registered in P/S VOK (Now ACB).”

The spokesperson said, after thorough investigation, Charge sheet was filed on October 14, 2000 and the case proceeded for judicial determination in the Hon’ble Court. On March 31, 2026, the Hon’ble Court delivered the judgment, sentencing the accused:- For offence under section 5 (2) r/w 5 (1) (d) of J&K P.C. Act Svt 2006 to simple imprisonment for five (05) years and a fine of R.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only).

“In default of payment of fine, they shall undergo simple imprisonment for a further one (01) year. -For offence under section 468 RPC r/w 471 RPC and 120-B RPC the above named convicts are sentenced to Simple imprisonment for five (05) years and a fine of Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty Thousand only).”

He said, in default of fine, further simple imprisonment for three (03) months. -For offence under Section 420 RPC the convicts are sentenced to simple imprisonment for three (03) years and a fine of R.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only).

“In default of fine, further simple imprisonment for three (03) months and the convicts namely Mohammad Ashraf Khan S/O Ab. Aziz Khan R/O Naina, Batpora and Hamida Akhter D/O Ghulam Ahmad Salroo R/O Bijbehara are sentenced; -For offence under section 120-B RPC r/w 5 (2) of J&K P.C Act Svt 2006, 468 RPC r/w 471 RPC to simple imprisonment for five (05) years and a fine of R.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only). In default of payment of fine, they shall undergo simple imprisonment for a further one (01) year. -For offence under section 420 RPC the said convicts are sentenced to simple imprisonment for three (03) years and a fine of R.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only). In default of fine, further simple imprisonment for three (03) months.”

He further added, this conviction marks another milestone in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service.