Lavender Cultivation Under Aroma Mission Raises Harvest Expectations in Bhaderwah
Bhaderwah, May 30, KNT: Marginal farmers in Bhaderwah Valley who shifted from traditional maize cultivation to lavender farming under the Aroma Mission are expecting a bumper harvest this season, reflecting what growers describe as a positive transformation in the region’s agricultural landscape.
The shift toward aromatic crop cultivation has emerged as an alternative livelihood model for hill farmers, with local families reporting improved economic prospects and greater optimism compared to conventional farming practices.
Around 20 families in Raie hamlet of Shiva Panchayat have adopted lavender cultivation and are witnessing changing livelihood patterns through the crop, according to local accounts.
Farmers said the move from maize cultivation to lavender farming had generated renewed interest in agriculture due to better returns and growing market demand associated with aromatic plants.
Touqeer Bagban, widely known as the “Lavender Man of India,” said the initiative under the Aroma Mission had opened new opportunities for growers in the region.
He credited Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) for supporting and promoting the initiative.
Bagban said the intervention had helped transform the agricultural outlook of the region and encouraged farmers to adopt alternative cultivation methods suited to local conditions.
The development is being viewed as part of a broader shift toward diversification in farming practices in hill areas, where traditional agriculture often faces economic and climatic challenges.
With harvesting season is in progress, farmers in Bhaderwah said they were hopeful that this year’s lavender crop would further strengthen incomes and encourage more cultivators to join the initiative. [KNT]
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![PCC Asks DC Pulwama to Shut Down Illegal Brick Kilns, 18 Brick Kilns Face Regulatory Violations, 7 Listed Without Consent Pulwama, Aug 8, KNT: Pollution Control Committee has asked Deputy Commissioner to shut down illegal brick kilns in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The latest status of brick kilns operating in south Kashmir's Pulwama district has revealed serious regulatory concerns, with 18 units listed either without consent, with expired Consent to Operate (CTO), or under a “Refused” status. The status details show that seven brick kilns are listed as operating “Without consent”, indicating that the units do not have the required regulatory consent to operate. The seven units are Dar Brick Kiln (415) at Alliepora Shahoora, LBK changed into Bhat Brick Kiln (151) at Nownagri Pulwama, Kamran Brick Kiln 777 at Parigam Newa, Budshah Brick Kiln at Audoora Pulwama, JKB Sanzan (151) at Astapora Sanzan, 417 Brick Kiln changed into 7HH at Achan Litter Pulwama, and Five Star Brick Kiln at Wahipora Pulwama. The list further shows eight brick kilns with expired CTOs, meaning their consent to operate has lapsed. These include Hilal Brick Kiln, Allie Brick Kiln, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Sunflower Brick Kiln, Jalal Brick Kiln, Magray Brick Kiln, Thoker Brick Kiln (A-No) and Shahoorа Brick Kiln (ATM). Another three units have been marked “Refused” in the consent status. These are Mir Brick Kiln at Hastikhud Zadoora Newa, Gulmour Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora and Dar Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora. The status as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also contains brick kilns holding valid CTOs, indicating that the regulatory violations are not uniform across the district. The findings assume significance in view of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee's direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to initiate action against brick kilns operating without the requisite permissions and in violation of environmental regulations. The presence of multiple units with expired or refused consent, besides those listed without consent altogether, raises serious questions over their continued operation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the district. The concerned authorities are now expected to verify the operational status of these units and take action against those found functioning without valid statutory consent. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brick-Kiln-390x220.jpg)
