Srinagar, Dec 06: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg today took a comprehensive review of the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom (H&H) in a meeting here.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC, Director Handicrafts & Handloom, Director Tourism Kashmir, DD Planning, officers of Floriculture and H&H.

At the outset, Director H&H gave overview of the envisioned projects and strategies, to promote H&H sector, including Operationalization of Kashmir Haat on the Pattern of Dilli Haat,  Fencing of DHHK Land Near Secretariat and PCR, Craft Gallery under Srinagar Smart City Project at Batmaloo, PM Unity (Ekta) Mall Proposal at Kashmir Haat, KnowYour Artisan Series under Soulful Kashmir Brand, Craft Tourism Villages Scheme and Dovetailing Handicrafts with Tulip and Chrysanthemum Festivals.

The meeting held threadbare discussion regarding the agenda points to promote local craft & artisans through meticulous blending of inter-departmental calendar of activities.

To address the car parking issue near Kashmir Haat, the Div Com instructed Director H&H to adopt a judicious mechanism for optimum utilization of available parking space  to facilitate visitors to Exhibition Ground.

He also asked Commissioner SMC to earmark some shops for Hi-end craft entrepreneurs at Souq Market Batmaloo for the promotion and showcase of GI-tagged products.

The meeting also discussed the envisioned project of developing and Operationalization of Kashmir Haat on the Pattern of Dilli Haat with the objective to convert it  into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub.

Director H&H shared success of ‘Know Your Artisan Series’ under Soulful Kashmir Brand and proposed  institutionalizing future events by integrating artisan stalls, live demonstrations, cultural showcases, and market linkages.

He also apprised land transfer issue for the development of Craft Tourism Village of Sonpah near Doodhpathri.

Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com emphasized on drafting holistic plan for ‘Know Your Artisan’ events to be held in Schools, colleges and other institutions.

He also stressed on integration of calendar of activities with Tourism Department to organize activities at Tourist Sites, Heritage Places, Yatra Stations and other vibrant locations around Dal lake besides during the winter games.

He called for training of tour guides to engage and encourage tourists to visit craft clusters in Srinagar and also advised for taking hoteliers and tour operators on board for collaboration in enhancing visits.

Regarding sale of fake Handloom products, the Div Com directed for strict action against erring hoteliers selling counterfeit goods to tourists.

Srinagar, Dec 06: As winter sets in and temperatures continue to dip, Kashmir is witnessing a steady deterioration in air quality, raising serious public health concerns.

Environmental experts and doctors said that prolonged dry weather, increased traffic emissions, biomass burning, and industrial pollutants have pushed pollution levels up, particularly in urban pockets

Residents have reported a visible layer of haze over many parts of the Valley, while air quality monitors have repeatedly recorded PM2.5 and PM10 levels above safe limits in recent days.

The pollution levels remained high with PM10 ranging between 136 and 243 micrograms per cubic metre and PM2.5 between 86 and 167 micrograms per cubic metre, both far above the World Health Organization’s safe limits.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Javid Ahmad Bhat, said that the worsening air quality is directly impacting public health. “Outpatient departments in hospitals have begun to see a surge in patients complaining of cough, breathlessness, chest tightness, burning eyes, and throat irritation,” he said.

“The number of patients with respiratory issues, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, has notably increased over the past few weeks,” he added.

The doctor said that poor air quality aggravates existing conditions and triggers fresh episodes of respiratory distress. Children, elderly, and people with pre-existing lung or heart conditions are especially vulnerable, he added.

Doctors warned that the impact is not limited to respiratory ailments.

A cardiologist working at GMC Srinagar said that prolonged exposure to polluted air increases the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, and stroke. “Fine particulate matter enters the bloodstream and can cause inflammation, which puts additional strain on the heart,” he said.

Studies have also linked poor air quality to fatigue, headaches, decreased immunity, anxiety, and disrupted sleep cycles.

Environmental officials attribute the worsening air quality to a combination of factors that include the lack of rainfall, which helps settle dust and pollutants, increased vehicular emissions due to traffic congestion, burning of waste, including plastic and biomass, use of coal bukharis and wood for heating and dust generated from construction sites.

An official said the Valley needs stricter monitoring and long-term planning. “Without sustainable urban management and reduced emissions, we will continue to face worsening air quality each winter,” he said.

Doctors have urged the public to take preventive measures to reduce exposure and avoid health complications by limiting outdoor exposure, avoiding morning and evening outdoor activities when pollution levels peak.

They advised keeping windows closed on hazy days, wearing N95 or KN95 masks while outdoors to filter harmful particles, drinking plenty of water to help flush toxins from the body, using air purifiers indoors, especially important for patients with asthma, heart disease, or chronic lung issues.

“Avoid burning trash or biomass, as this is one of the major contributors to harmful pollutants; ventilate rooms during afternoon hours when pollution levels are relatively lower,” the doctors said. They called for taking extra care of vulnerable groups

Environmental activists and health experts have asked the administration to intensify pollution monitoring, regulate construction dust, promote cleaner heating solutions and increase green cover.

Srinagar, Dec 06: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Saturday announced power shutdown in several parts of Kashmir division, citing maintenance of supply lines.

In a communication, Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL said that shutdown of 33 KV Budgam SIDCO line and 33 KV Budgam Ichgam line will be observed due to which power supply to Budgam Town, Ompora, Housing Colony, Nasurallahpora, Jawalapora , Ichgam, Ichkoot, Choon, Kanir, Hushur, Zuhamma, Hanjoora, Substation NKC (Ring Road) and adjoining areas will be affected from 09:30  AM to 03:30 PM on 08 December, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of  33 KV Ahmadpora Magam line will be observed due to which power supply to Mazhama Old Sanoora, Aripanthan, Magam, Weriahama Budren and adjoining areas will be affected from 10:00 AM to 03:30 PM on 08 December, 2025.

Likewise, shutdown of 132 KV D/C IRCON-Budgam Transmission line, 33 KV Budgam feeder and 33 KV Ichgam-Budgam feeder will be observed due to which power supply to Traction Substation Budgam (Railway), Budgam Town, Ompora, Housing Colony, Nasurallahpora, Jawalapora, Ichgam, Ichkoot, Choon, Kanir, Hushur, Zuhamma, Hanjoora, Substation NKC (Ring Road) and adjoining areas will be affected from 09:30 AM to 03:30 PM on 08 December, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Amargargh Watergam line and 33 KV Sheeri Baramulla-1st line will be observed due to which power supply to Watergam, Hachipora, Hadipora, Safalpora, Ganapora, Kralgund and Khawajabagh, Kanthbagh, Ushkara, Sangri, Main Town Baramulla, Dewanbagh, Kanlibagh, Khanpora and adjoining areas will be affected from 09:30 AM to 03.30 PM on 09 December, 2025.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Khiram Tap line will be observed due to which power supply to Khiram, Mahind, Sirhama, Shalgul, Nowhara and adjoining aras will be affected from 09.30 AM to 03.30 PM on 11 December, 2025.

Furthermore, shutdown of 33 KV Wanpoh-SICOP line will be observed due to which power supply to Bijbehara, Shamsipora, Veeri, Nowbugh, Guree, Kanelwan, Srigufwara, Cheeniwooder and adjoining areas will be affected from 09.30 AM to 03.30 PM on 09 December, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Sangam New Tap line will be observed due to which power supply to Sangam, Bijbehara, Wapzan, Waghama, Khelan, Rakh, Batpora and adjoining areas will be affected from 11.00 AM to 02.00 PM on 09 December, 2025.

Similarly, Dandipora receiving station shall remain off due to which power supply to Larnoo, Vailoo, Dandipora and adjoining areas will be affected from 09.00 AM to 03.30 PM on 08 December, 2025.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Lassipora-Landoora line and 33 KV Lassipora-Reshipora line will be observed due to which power supply to Landoora, Watchi, Babapora, Momen, Hermain, Hajipora, Chakoora, Frisal, Zainapora, Chitragam, Rebban, Awnera, Sugan, Agalr, Nagbal, Turkwangam and adjoining areas will be affected from 10.00 AM to 03.00 PM on 09, 13 and 16 December, 2025.

Srinagar, Dec 06: In a sustained effort to curb the menace of drug trafficking, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Pulwama arrested a drug peddler and recovered contraband substance from his possession.

A police spokesperson said that a police team of Police Station Pulwama at a checkpoint established at Khalsa Parigam, intercepted a suspicious individual identified as Aijaz Ahmad Mochi, son of Abdul Rashid Mochi, resident of Khalsa Parigam. During search, 94 grams of charas powder-like substance was recovered from his possession and was subsequently arrested.

He said a case vide FIR No. 2812025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Pulwama, and investigation is underway.

Police reiterated its unwavering commitment to eliminating drug peddling from the society and urged the public to cooperate by sharing information related to drug abuse or trafficking in their areas.