Harsh Winters | SilverScorpio.Com

India Air Force activates Nyoma airfield close to China border

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 18 (ANI): The Indian Air Force in a significant move today activated its Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) to support the Army in carrying out operations in the inhospitable terrain.

An IAF AN-32 aircraft landed at Nyoma ALG, which is located at an altitude of 13,300 feet in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, at 6:25 a.m. today. It is located 23 kms from the Line of Actual Control. (LAC).

The successful landing of a fixed wing aircraft at Nyoma marks the culmination of joint effort by the IAF and Indian Army to enable the IAF to operate in the inhospitable terrain of Leh-Ladakh region in support of the Army.

The landing comes just fifteen months after an AN-32 landed at Daulat-Beg-Oldie (DBO), the highest airfield in the world situated at an altitude of 16,200 feet.

Group Captain SC Chafekar touched down on the Nyoma airstrip. Air Marshal NAK Browne, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command and Lieutenant General PC Bharadwaj, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command on board.

Though helicopters have been landing at this ALG, this is for the first time that a fixed wing aircraft has landed at the compact airstrip of Nyoma.

After deliberating on all aspects and carrying out aerial and ground inspection, it was concluded that Nyoma could be developed for fixed wing operations as well.

The Engineer Regiments of 14 Corps undertook the herculean task of developing the ALG to the standards required for fixed wing operations.

Joint development of Nyoma braving the extremely difficult working conditions and hostile weather is yet another step towards enhanced joint partnership between the two services.

Nyoma has been developed with an aim to connect the remote areas of Ladakh region to the mainland. This would also ensure movements in the area when the road traffic gets affected, during the harsh winters besides enabling improved communication network in the region. (ANI)

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Climate change causing wild sheep to shrink

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, July 3 (ANI): A new study has provided evidence for climate change as the cause of the mysterious decrease in the size of wild sheep on the Scottish island of Hirta.

According to the researchers, due to climate change, survival conditions on Hirta are becoming less challenging, which means slower-growing, smaller sheep are more likely to survive the winters than they once were.

This, together with the newly discovered so-called ‘young mum effect’ whereby young ewes produce smaller offspring, explains why the average size of sheep on the island is decreasing.

Classical evolutionary theory suggests that over time the average size of wild sheep increases, because larger animals tend to be more likely to survive and reproduce than smaller ones, and offspring tend to resemble their parents.

However, among the Soay sheep of Hirta, a remote Scottish island in the St Kilda archipelago, average body size has decreased by approximately 5 percent over the last 24 years.

The research team analyzed body size and life history data, which records the timing of key milestones throughout an individual sheep’s life, for Soays on Hirta over this 24 year period.

They found that sheep on the island are not growing as quickly as they once did, and that smaller sheep are more likely to survive into adulthood.

This is bringing down the average size of sheep in the population over all.

Professor Coulson suggests that this is because shorter, milder winters, caused by global climate change, mean that lambs do not need to put on as much as weight in the first months of life to survive to their first birthday as they did when winters were colder.

According to him, “In the past, only the big, healthy sheep and large lambs that had piled on weight in their first summer could survive the harsh winters on Hirta. But now, due to climate change, grass for food is available for more months of the year, and survival conditions are not so challenging.”

“Even the slower growing sheep have a chance of making it, and this means smaller individuals are becoming increasingly prevalent in the population,” he added.

Their results suggest that the decrease in average body size seen in Hirta’s sheep is primarily an ecological response to environmental changes over the last 25 years. Evolutionary change has contributed relatively little. (ANI)

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Changing climate make mockingbirds better singers

May 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, May 22 (ANI): Mockingbirds tend to sing fancier tunes with changing climate, say researchers.

The research team from the National Evolutionary Synthesis Centre (NESCent), the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and McGill University showed that species in more variable climes also sing complex tunes.

“Survival and reproduction become more complicated when weather patterns are unpredictable because you don’t know when food will be available or how long it will be around,” said Carlos Botero, a postdoctoral researcher at NESCent in Durham, NC.

And the consequences of picking a mediocre mate are magnified in harsher climes.

“In really difficult or demanding environments you would expect females to be choosier,” he added.

Botero said that male mockingbirds sing primarily to impress mates and superior singing skills are a cue that a male is a good catch.

“Complexity of song display – how many song types a bird sings, how hard the songs are – is a good predictor of the quality of the individual,” he said.

“Males that sing more complex songs tend to carry fewer parasites, and have offspring that are more likely to survive,” he added.

Moreover, singing skills may be a sign that males are clever enough to cope with iffy environments.

“Individuals that are more intelligent tend to be better able to compensate for the difficulties of unpredictable climates,” said Botero.

“For example, if some individuals are able to invent new foraging techniques, then they are going to be better at surviving harsh winters than the poor guys who only know one way to forage.

“The more intelligent you are, the more resourceful you are, and the more curve balls you’re able to handle,” he added.

During the study, Botero and his colleagues studied nearly 100 tracks from 29 mockingbird species and found that species subject to more variable and unpredictable climates had more elaborate song displays.

The connection between birdsong and climate is new and somewhat surprising, Botero explains. “We’re connecting two dots that were far away before.” (ANI)

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Strawberry farmers in Kashmir expecting huge profits

May 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, May 20 (ANI): Timely rain in the valley region of Jammu and Kashmir is expected to fetch ample profits to the growers of strawberry fruits.

According to the Horticulture Department, a bumper yield of this tasty fruit is expected this year.

Kashmir valley, which is famous for apples, is now fast emerging as India’s largest producer of strawberries.

A new concept of strawberry farming has become quite popular among the traditional farmers of paddy in the valley since the fruits fetch them more profits than rice.

Strawberry is the first fruit in Kashmir valley that grows after the six months of harsh winters.

“This is the first crop after winters. This year, due to timely rain, strawberry production is good and will yield good profits to us,” said Aijaz Mir, a grower of strawberries.

Encouraged by the farmers’ interest in cultivating strawberries, the Horticulture Department is helping them with numerous other inputs for better production.

“For growth and development, it is good if farmers focus on strawberry farming. This is the first fruit, which comes after winter here. We can process and prepare jam, juice and jellies from it and also it is very good for health,” said G N Kumar, Planning Officer Horticulture, Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.

The roots of strawberry plants spread out close to the surface. The soil requires well supplied moisture and saplings should be kept free from weeds and other pests.

The Horticulture Department has prompted the farmers to be actively involved in the entire process ranging from cultivation to its packaging and marketing. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

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Musical night adds to Kashmir’s idyllic charm, lends fillip to tourism

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Apr 16 (ANI): The Kashmir Tourism department has come up with a unique way of adding to the idyllic charm of the valley and captivating the tourists.

After nearly two decades, an initiative by state tourism authorities has revived the custom of musical nights in Kashmir.

A musical night organised near the Zabarwan park overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar on April 14 enthralled the local youngsters.

The event added to the bewitching charm of the valley.

The tranquil environment here came alive as the youngsters dance to the tunes of traditional folk music and bollywood numbers.

Farooq Shah, director, Kashmir Tourism said that the reason behind organising a musical night was to make the tourists feel at home.

“We are organising the musical nights so that the tourists have a wonderful evening and we also wanted the tourists to feel at home and be happy,” said Shah.

On the other hand, the evening was a nostalgic reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the state for the people, who are fatigued by years of militant threat.

People enjoyed the musical evening with local artists dressed in traditional attire and singing traditional songs.

Asif, a local, said that he could not believe that such events were being organised in the state.

“We used to watch on the television the musical nights happening in other places such as Delhi, but now I can’t believe that such programmes are happening in Srinagar. Organising such nights have been made possible with the help of tourism department of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Asif.

Kashmir witnesses harsh winters for more than six months between November and April. During this extremely cold weather, the temperature dips to sub-zero levels and most people prefer to stay indoors.

But as spring sets in, the valley bursts forth with life as the landscape undergoes a sea change.

The state’s tourism department as well as locals are optimistic that such shows will once again see tourists from abroad thronging this Himalayan haven, as it is a sign of the return of peace and normalcy in the valley. By Suhail Ahmad (ANI)

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Farmers in Ladakh take to greenhouses for better yield

March 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ladakh, Mar 12 (ANI): Farmers in Ladakh have taken to greenhouses, overcoming the hazards of harsh winters in a novel way.

Over 90 per cent of Ladakh’s population is dependent on agriculture. But very short summers and long winters make it hard for farmers to grow vegetables even to sustain themselves.

They now farm in greenhouses, ensuring availability of vegetables throughout the year.

Farmers say that the main advantage of having a greenhouse is the availability of green leafy vegetables throughout the year, especially in the winter season.

“We get green leafy fresh vegetables even during the months of January, February and March. We want that more greenhouses should be promoted so that more people benefit from these,” said Gulam Rasool, a farmer.

The concept of greenhouses was introduced in the region so that farmers can overcome the harsh climate.

The concept of gereenhouses was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation at its unit in Leh. It was adopted by the Army in Kargil by the Indian Army after the 1999 standoff with Pakistan.

The Horticulture Department in the region has popularized as the method has dramatically transformed vegetable yield in the region.

The project was an immediate success in Ladakh as it receives good sunlight for an average of 325 days in a year because of its unique location.

“We have seen that solar energy has a lot of potential in Ladakh. We have tried to develop farming and we are encouraging farmers to grow vegetables.

This concept was developed in 1998 to make greenhouses using local material,” said Tashi Thokmat, Deputy Director, Ladakh Environment and Health Organization (LEHO).

Vegetables like cucumber, eggfruit and capsicum, which were not grown in this region before, are now a common sight in the marketplaces of the mountainous region. By Jigmet Vangchuk (ANI)

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Kashmir traditional grass mats back in demand

January 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Jan 29 (ANI): Kashmir traditional grass mats locally known as ‘wagive’, used for home furnishing, are in great demand in Kashmir valley after witnessing a slump in business for past some years.

These mats have been used for centuries in the valley for multi purpose use.

The grass mats are mainly of two types, one the rugged ones made of twisted paddy grass and the soft and spongy ones made of typical grasses growing in wetland and lakes that abound in Kashmir valley.

The typical grass in water bodies grows to a height of six feet and it takes four to five months to reach this height. Only after it reaches this height that it can be harvested to make these mats.

These mats act as an excellent insulation material for beating cold during harsh winters.

During the last few years these mats had lost to synthetic mats affecting the livelihood of a large number of artisans engaged in the trade but now they have made a come back.

“For the past few years, the market was flooded by plastic and thermocol mats. But once again, the traditional mats are back in demand. The grass mats are any day better than the modern (synthetic) mats since the material used in these mats keeps people warm during the chilly weather,” said Ashiq Ahmed, a grass mat maker.

Traditionally, the women of the households weave these mats while the men sell the mats in the market. Each mat on an average costs around 250 rupees.

Residents also feel that buying the traditional mats would not only add the ethnic touch to their rooms, but would also ensure a regular source of income for the artisans.

“A lot of people are dependent on this business. These mats are are very economical. Many people are dependent on these mats and if we purchase them, then the people associated with these mats will do well,” said Nazir Khan, a resident.

Mat making represents one of the most ancient traditional handicraft forms, hich has survived as a rural industry. By Shaukat Jaan (ANI)

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Fur shoes selling like hot cakes in Kashmir

January 19, 2009 By Rajesh Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Jan 19 (ANI): The sale of fur shoes in Jammu and Kashmir is increasing day-by-day and people are purchasing them to protect their feet from harsh winters of the valley.

The boom will last till March when the weather will turn warmer.

“The fur shoes come in two types of materials one is foam and the other is rexene. The feet remain warm when the rexene is used while incase of foam one experiences cold. These shoes will remain a popular choice with the residents till the month of March only,” said Abdul Majeed, a shopkeeper.

Customers like Mukhtar Khan are all in favour of these shoes because they not only protect your feet, but also keep them warm.

“These fur shoes are ideal as they keep one’s feet warm even if one does not wear any socks. In the ordinary shoes when the feet sweat, the leather absorbs the sweat and as a result the shoes crack. While in the case of fur shoes, the fur absorbs the sweat and the shoe remains intact. So when one wears a fur shoe, it will not only protect your feet, but also keep them warm and you won’t face any problem,” said Mukhtar.

Fur shoes are made of different materials including rubber; rexene and especially made of wool, which is very comfortable and warm, which makes them an ideal companion to beat the winter chill of the valley. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

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