Bandipora, Oct 25: As winter is all set to descend upon the Kashmir Valley, remote hamlets of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district are preparing for the challenging months ahead.
As per the details available with Rising Kashmir, residents in these remote hamlets are stocking up on canned goods, dried vegetables, firewood, and coal to survive the isolation brought on by heavy snowfall.
A local resident from Chandaji, a remote hamlet situated 30 Kilometers from District headquarters told Rising Kashmir that fresh vegetables, transportation services, and proper healthcare facilities become scarce during snowy days.
To address these challenges, many are turning to age-old techniques such as preserving dried vegetables and beekeeping, which are vital during the winter season, he said.
Local farmers in many areas of gurez valley are also busy preserving potatoes through traditional methods to ensure food supply during harsh winters. The preparation involves securing a substantial supply of firewood and essential food items like rice and oil, as the area becomes buried under several feet of snow, isolating it from the rest of the valley.
Households in these remote hamlets are meticulously preparing for winter by cleaning their homes and introducing layers of blankets beneath carpets to fend off the cold seeping from the cemented floor, Habibullah a local resident of Gurez said.
Preparing dried vegetables for winter is a long-standing tradition in these areas, with many locals starting the process during the summer months, he said adding that dried vegetables not only provide sustenance but also offer a trusted remedy against the cold, flu, and cough that winter often brings.
The dire situation that unfolds when heavy snowfall blocks roads leaves sick individuals and pregnant women in these remote areas particularly vulnerable.
Residents hope for improved road connectivity during the winter months and urge the government to prioritize these areas, emphasizing the need for better infrastructure and connectivity.
An official told Rising Kashmir that the district administration in Bandipora is planning initiatives to assess the situation on the ground and alleviate hardships in these remote hamlets.
