Srinagar, Dec 25: Jammu and Kashmir has for long carried the reputation as a meat-heavy region, built on the legacy of cultural feasts like Wazwan feasts and a preference for mutton and poultry. Being a Muslim-majority area, Kashmir Valley is a meat-welcoming society, but meat is not eaten in the proportions as is widely believed, data reveals.

Kashmir’s participation in meat-eating is high, but the overall quantity consumed per person isn’t as “voracious” as stereotyped. It sure is elevated compared to India’s national average, but by all means moderate relative to the top Indian states. Meat consumption in Kashmir is far below global norms. The National Family Health Survey-5 and 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey have insights and revelations.

The Percentage of Population Consuming Meat (Aged 15-49): J&K stands at 88% in J&K. Nearly 9 in 10 adults eat eggs, fish, chicken, or meat at least occasionally.

This is high but not exceptional. Northeastern states have higher percentages: Meghalaya (99%), Arunachal Pradesh (99%), and Mizoram (99%) top the list, followed by West Bengal (97%) and Kerala (96%). The northern states with stronger vegetarian traditions lag behind: Rajasthan (22%), Haryana (33%), Punjab (54%), and Gujarat (40%). India’s overall average is around 80%. By this measure, J&K aligns with the all-India average.

Households in J&K allocate about 11% of their total food budget to meat. This places it in the mid-to-high range nationally. Many other states have a higher expenditure on meat and meat products: Meghalaya (19%), Nagaland (19%), Arunachal Pradesh (19%), Goa (15%), and Telangana (13-15%).  Low-spenders include Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. These states are essentially vegetarian. The national average is around 10%. J&K is slightly above the national average but not an outlier territory.

The recent estimates put India’s national average meat consumption at 7.1-7.4 kg per person annually. It is up from under 5 kg a decade ago, but still lower than the global average. J&K’s per capita is higher, 11-14 kg, above average, but not the highest. The top states include Telangana (21-28 kg), Haryana (24 kg), Andhra Pradesh (21 kg), Kerala (13 kg), and Assam (11 kg). J&K’s figure is driven by mutton and poultry, and is closer to mid-tier states like West Bengal (10 kg).

Only 10% of Indians eat meat daily. About 60% consume weekly, and the rest occasionally or never. In J&K, patterns are similar: high participation but not daily indulgence. According to a study, in Srinagar, 68% of households consume poultry weekly, not every day. This contrasts with assumptions of constant meat-eating, as in most homes, meals remain vegetable-based. The label “non-veg” is often understood as a heavy daily intake, but surveys show otherwise.

Economic factors play a major role; mutton costs Rs 700-750/kg, limiting purchasing. Overall, J&K imports 41% of its sheep.

Srinagar, Dec 25: National Conference State Women’s Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal, Shameema Firdous visited the fire victims of Kalashpora to express solidarity with the affected families and assess the extent of damage caused by the devastating blaze.

During her visit, Shameema Firdous interacted with the families whose homes and belongings were damaged in the incident.

She expressed deep concern over the losses suffered by the residents and assured them of all possible support. She said that such tragedies not only destroy property but also deeply impact the emotional and psychological well-being of the affected families, especially women, children and the elderly. She emphasized that the government must ensure immediate relief and rehabilitation for the victims.

Srinagar, Dec 25: Sonamarg, a major tourist destination in Kashmir, recorded a total of 417,091 tourists from January to November 2025, showing steady growth and consistent interest across seasons, official data reveals.

According to figures from the Tourist Police Post Sonamarg, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the resort experienced a continuous influx of domestic, foreign, and local tourists throughout the year.

In January, around 55,934 tourists visited, including 53,676 domestic visitors, 1,114 foreigners, and 1,144 locals. February saw a slight increase with a total of 57,186 tourists—55,114 domestic, 2,019 foreigners, and 1,565 local visitors. March’s footfall reached nearly 63,000 with 59,084 domestic tourists, 1,120 foreigners, and 2,749 locals.

April experienced the highest footfall of the year, with over 72,722 visitors—67,229 domestic, 1,434 foreigners, and 4,059 locals. May, however, saw a decline, with just over 21,573 tourists—17,083 domestic, 486 foreigners, and 4,004 locals.

June’s figures rose again to nearly 48,139, with 33,692 domestic, 281 foreigners, and 14,166 locals. July recorded close to 39,605 visitors—25,281 domestic, 159 foreigners, and 14,165 locals. August saw a decrease to roughly 32,139, including 12,124 domestic, 304 foreigners, and 19,711 locals.

September’s numbers fell further to approximately 25,264, with nearly 6,945 domestic, 422 foreigners, and 17,897 locals. October recorded around 14,536 visitors—8,389 domestic, 391 foreigners, and 5,756 locals. November’s footfall was just over 18,070, including 13,527 domestic, 459 foreigners, and 4,084 locals.

Officials told KNO that April marked the peak of tourist visits, coinciding with the spring tourism rush, while summer months remained busy due to local and domestic travellers. Despite the seasonal slowdown in autumn, tourist arrivals remained steady into November.

Speaking to KNO, President of the Beopar Mandal Association Sonamarg, Furkan Ahmad, said, “Tourism plays a vital role in Sonamarg’s economy. The rising number of visitors has positively impacted hotels, transporters, and local traders, strengthening the overall market.”

The recent snowfall has led to a noticeable increase in tourist arrivals. To promote winter tourism, the Department of Tourism has organised comprehensive arrangements, including adventure activities such as skiing and ice skating.

“Special programmes and winter sports events are scheduled for December 31 to provide visitors with a memorable experience,” Basharat Hussain, a tourist officer, said.

Srinagar, Dec 25: Recently appointed Prosecuting Officer of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Advocate Aadil Nabi, a resident of Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, met with a serious road accident today near Banihal.

Sources told Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that Aadil was injured in the accident while he was returning home from Delhi.

He was immediately shifted to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment. His condition is stated to be critical, sources said.

Aadil, a well-known legal practitioner from Bijbehara, was recently appointed as a Prosecuting Officer in the CBI, a major professional milestone in his legal career.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the accident.

Srinagar, Dec 25: National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said he has neither forgotten nor abandoned the students agitating over their unresolved issues, and urged the government to immediately engage with them.

Ruhullah said the government must initiate dialogue with the students and clearly apprise them of the measures and decisions taken to resolve the matter. He said if government fails to engage with students by Saturday (December 27, 2025), he will sit with them on coming Sunday (December 28, 2025) at the same venue he joined protest on December 23, 2024.

Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), Ruhullah said: “I have neither forgotten nor left the students alone. I urge the government once again to talk to the students and uprise them of the measures and decisions taken to resolve this issue”.

“If that does not happen till Saturday, I will not leave our youth and students helpless. I will walk with them and sit with them on this coming Sunday at the same place as we did the last year on 23rd December to make them heard,” Ruhullah added on X.