Monday, September 21, 2026

Anuj Kumar Verma

The author is an environmental advocate and policy writer. As of Sep 2026, he serves as convenor of the We The Humans Forum for Nature and Mankind, a public charitable trust. He served in the Department of Horticulture and retired as a district officer.

J&K at the Crossroads: Voters Must Choose Leaders Who Protect Nature, Livelihoods and Good Governance

Environment Anuj Kumar Verma - September 21, 2026

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OPINION/EDITORIAL

J&K at the Crossroads: Voters Must Choose Leaders Who Protect Nature, Livelihoods and Good Governance

Anuj Kumar Verma - September 21, 2026

Jammu & Kashmir stands at a critical juncture where the pursuit of rapid development is increasingly colliding with environmental sustainability. Large-scale deforestation, mountain blasting, illegal mining, shrinking water bodies, and weak enforcement of environmental safeguards are placing the region’s fragile ecosystems and livelihoods under growing strain. While visible infrastructure projects often dominate political discourse, the long-term costs of ecological degradation are borne by communities through rising disaster risks, declining natural resources, and economic insecurity. As voters and policymakers shape the region’s future, the challenge is to ensure that development is balanced with accountability, environmental protection, and the preservation of the natural assets that sustain both livelihoods and cultural identity.

Social Media: A Key or a Chain? The Choice Is Yours

Op-ed August 18, 2026 0

Social media is one of the most influential tools of the modern age, offering endless opportunities for learning, communication, and personal growth. It allows people to stay connected with family and friends, build careers, promote businesses, and raise awareness about important social issues. However, when used excessively, it can become a source of distraction, reducing productivity, affecting mental well-being, and creating unrealistic expectations through constant comparison. Ultimately, social media is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful—it is a tool whose impact depends on how responsibly and purposefully we choose to use it.

The Divorce of Convenience: Is a Separate Jammu State Really the Answer?

Thathri Bleeds Again: When Will Negligence Stop Being Called a Natural Disaster?

Chenab Valley July 9, 2026 0

A devastating cloudburst once again struck Thathri, leaving behind a trail of destruction and raising uncomfortable questions about whether the disaster was entirely natural. While cloudbursts are inevitable in the Himalayas, years of unchecked dumping of construction debris into natural drainage channels may have intensified their impact. This article examines the science behind cloudbursts, the recurring devastation in Thathri, and why accountability, scientific planning, and environmental responsibility are essential to prevent future tragedies.

A Language Dying in the Living Room

Bhaderwah June 30, 2026 0

Kashmiri has survived centuries of conflict, displacement and political upheaval, but in Jammu and Kashmir's Chenab Valley, its greatest threat may now lie inside the home. This article explores how families are gradually replacing Kashmiri with Urdu and English, disconnecting younger generations from a rich literary heritage shaped by poets such as Rasa Javidani, Bashir Bhaderwahi and Janbaaz Kishtwari. It examines the cultural, social and policy failures driving the language's decline, while questioning whether one of the region's oldest linguistic traditions can still be preserved before it falls silent.

Unsung Guardians of Public Health: Why Sanitation Is Everyone’s Constitutional Duty?

Chenab Valley June 20, 2026 0

Sanitation workers are among the most essential yet least recognised contributors to public health. Their daily labour keeps streets clean, drains functional, and communities protected from disease, yet they often work in hazardous conditions with inadequate safety measures, delayed wages, and little public appreciation. As recurring sanitation workers’ strikes across Jammu and Kashmir have shown, a clean environment cannot be sustained by government agencies alone; it requires respect for sanitation workers, responsible waste disposal by citizens, and a shared commitment to the constitutional duty of protecting public health and the environment.

The Geography of Silence: Structural Neglect and the Path to Development in J&K’s Peripheral Highlands

Chenab Valley June 12, 2026 0

For decades, the developmental discourse of Jammu and Kashmir has remained trapped in a binary narrative centred on Srinagar and Jammu, overlooking the vast mountainous regions of the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal, and peripheral hill districts. Despite contributing significantly through hydropower, agriculture, tourism potential, and natural resources, these regions continue to face chronic deficits in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic investment. This article examines the structural neglect of Jammu and Kashmir's peripheral highlands, explores the paradox of resource extraction without proportional local development, and argues for targeted policy interventions to ensure equitable growth, regional empowerment, and inclusive governance.

Tata Pani Marwah: A Natural Treasure Needing Attention

India June 8, 2026 0

Nestled in the picturesque Marwah Valley of Kishtwar district, Tata Pani Marwah is a unique tourist destination known for its natural hot water springs, traditional wooden architecture, and serene surroundings. While the site attracts visitors seeking relaxation and nature-based experiences, challenges such as poor road connectivity, inadequate sanitation, and waste management issues continue to hinder its full tourism potential. With improved infrastructure and sustainable development, Tata Pani has the potential to emerge as one of Jammu and Kashmir’s leading eco-tourism destinations.

Bulldozer Democracy: When Home Becomes a Crime in J&K

Jammu June 6, 2026 0

In the early hours of May 2026, forty Gujjar-Bakerwal tribal families in Sidhra, Jammu, watched their homes being reduced to rubble by bulldozers in a joint Forest-Revenue-Police operation. With no prior notice, no hearing, and no rehabilitation plan, the demolition has triggered serious allegations of violations of the Forest Rights Act and SC/ST Atrocities Act, exposing the deep fault lines in J&K’s governance and raising uncomfortable questions about selective enforcement and tribal rights in India.

Jammu and Kashmir’s Detained Lawmaker Tests the Limits of India’s Democratic Experiment

Chenab Valley April 24, 2026 0

In October 2024, voters in Doda sent Mehraj Din Malik — a local social worker and AAP's sole winning candidate in Jammu and Kashmir — to the assembly as proof that the ballot still meant something. Less than a year later, he was in Kathua jail, detained without trial under the Public Safety Act by an administration that even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called "unelected." Seven months on, a High Court verdict stands reserved and unpronounced, and the people who chose democracy over cynicism are still waiting to find out whether their choice was worth making.

Chenab as a Separate Division: Where Geography Demands Governance

Chenab Valley April 5, 2026 0

The recent debate on Chenab as a separate division...

Reform with Sensitivity: Implementing the TET Mandate in Jammu & Kashmir

Education March 8, 2026 0

The recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India...

Between Poverty and Pressure: Why Child Marriage Still Exists in Jammu & Kashmir

India February 27, 2026 0

Child marriage may be declining in official records, but...

Doda — The Winter Capital of the Kishtwar Rajahs

Doda February 17, 2026 0

In any kingdom, the capital city was not merely...

SASCI: A Proven Development Instrument, Not a “Death Trap” – PDP Misleads the People of Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir February 11, 2026 0

The attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to...

Trump’s Peacemaker Image Clashes with Foreign Interventions

When People See a Train in Doda and Kishtwar

Chenab Valley December 16, 2025 0

Marwah finally has network connectivity. Airtel signals now climb...

Schools VS Stray Dogs: Boon or Bane

Jammu and Kashmir December 13, 2025 0

“Schools vs Stray Dogs: Boon or Bane” is not...

BLOOD IN THE DUST OF PARTITION 1947

HISTORY

The Forgotten Stories of Arab and Muslim Rescue During the Holocaust

History Anzer Ayoob - March 10, 2026

Doda — The Winter Capital of the Kishtwar Rajahs

Doda Firdous Ahmad Lone - February 17, 2026

BLOOD IN THE DUST OF PARTITION 1947

Editor's Picks Shahid Pogli - December 13, 2025

Chenab Valley Through the Ages

Chenab Valley Anzer Ayoob - November 5, 2025

CULTURE

The Forgotten Stories of Arab and Muslim Rescue During the Holocaust

History Anzer Ayoob - March 10, 2026

Doda — The Winter Capital of the Kishtwar Rajahs

Doda Firdous Ahmad Lone - February 17, 2026

BLOOD IN THE DUST OF PARTITION 1947

Editor's Picks Shahid Pogli - December 13, 2025

Chenab Valley Through the Ages

Chenab Valley Anzer Ayoob - November 5, 2025

SPORTS

Jammu and Kashmir: Doda Emerges Overall Champion as 3rd Chenab Open Taekwondo Championships 2026 Conclude

Doda News Desk CT - August 22, 2026

Ladakh Marathon Boosts Prize Pool to ₹1 Crore Amid Record 10,000 Registrations

E-sports News Desk CT - August 18, 2026

Kashmir Para-Cricketer Aamir Hussain Invited to President’s Independence Day Reception

E-sports News Desk CT - August 13, 2026

Kashmiri MMA Fighter Owais Yaqoob Stuns Undefeated Bulgarian Delyan Georgiev at BRAVE CF 107

Bulgaria Anzer Ayoob - August 2, 2026

MULTILINGUALISM

A Language Dying in the Living Room

Bhaderwah Majid Zareem - June 30, 2026

Renowned Poet Taskeen Badanvi Passes Away at 75

Chenab Valley News Desk CT - April 28, 2026

Chenab Valley’s Pahari Communities Through the Lens of the Lokur Committee Criteria

Chenab Valley Sadaket Malik - April 21, 2026

Young Kashmiri Creator Faisal Ayoub Bhat Revives Mother Tongue Through Digital Content

Anantnag Burhan Nazir - January 27, 2026

EDUCATION

UGC-NET Results for 84 Subjects Expected This Week: National Testing Agency

Education August 26, 2026 0

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that results for 84 subjects of the UGC-NET are expected this week. Final answer keys for UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and ICAR AIEEA will also be released.

National Testing Agency to Re-conduct UGC-NET Exams for English, Commerce, Sociology Due to Paper Errors

Education August 16, 2026 0

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will re-conduct UGC-NET examinations for English, Commerce, and Sociology due to significant errors found in the question papers. The re-tests are scheduled for September 9 and 10, with no additional fee for candidates.

Kashmir Schools Reopen After Extended Summer Break Due to Heatwave and Floods

Education July 27, 2026 0

Schools in Kashmir reopened on Monday, bringing an end to an extended summer vacation. The break, initially caused by a heatwave, was prolonged due to heavy rains and flood-like conditions across the valley.

Kashmir Gears Up for NEET Re-test with Elaborate Security and Administrative Measures

Education June 21, 2026 0

Authorities in Kashmir have finalized extensive security and administrative arrangements for the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21. Classes have been suspended in 60 designated schools to facilitate preparations, with multi-layered security protocols and logistical support in place.

Kashmir Youth Invited to Apply for Rise Up Fellowship 2026-27

Education June 12, 2026 0

MooL Sustainability Research and Training Center in Ganderbal has opened applications for its RISE UP fellowship, a seven-month program for young changemakers in Kashmir focused on leadership and sustainable development. The initiative, supported by Royal Enfield, will run from July 2026 to February 2027.

CBSE Chairman, Secretary Removed Amidst Examination Irregularities Allegations

Education June 2, 2026 0

The government has removed CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta amid allegations of irregularities in the digital evaluation system for Class 12 examinations. The decision follows concerns over scanned answer sheets not matching students' handwriting.

Union Education Minister Reviews NCERT Textbook Distribution, Directs Timely Delivery

Education April 28, 2026 0

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has reviewed the production and distribution process for NCERT textbooks. He directed officials to monitor last-mile delivery, especially in rural areas, to ensure timely availability for all students.

JOURNALISM

Delhi High Court Quashes FIR Against NewsClick Over Foreign Funding Allegations

India News Desk CT - June 10, 2026

TLR News Page Access Restricted in India Following Legal Proceedings Against Its Editor

Doda Anzer Ayoob - May 29, 2026

Al Jazeera Condemns YouTube’s Compliance With Israel’s Ban on Its Livestreams

Journalism Global Affairs Desk - January 30, 2026

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