Alternate Kashmir

06/08/2026

Gram Sabha at Waniyaram Adopts Community-Led Forest Conservation, Strengthens Implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2006

In a significant step towards empowering forest-dwelling communities and strengthening ecological governance in Jammu & Kashmir, the Forest Rights Coalition – J&K (FRC-J&K) successfully organized a Gram Sabha and Awareness Programme on the Forest Rights Act- 2006 at Waniyaram Kangan on 05 August 2026.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from local villagers, pastoral communities, youth, women, and community leaders, reaffirming their commitment to protecting forests while securing the constitutional rights of traditional forest dwellers.

Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Chairperson & Founder of Forest Rights Coalition–J&K, delivered a comprehensive address on the objectives and provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He emphasized that the Act is not merely a land rights legislation but a transformative conservation law that places forest-dependent communities at the centre of biodiversity protection and sustainable natural resource management.

Dr. Rasool highlighted the vital role of local communities in conserving forests, wildlife, rivers, glaciers, and fragile mountain ecosystems. Referring to the growing climate crisis in the Himalayas, he appealed to the people to completely eliminate plastic and polythene from the Naranag forest landscape and to collectively safeguard pristine water resources, including the Brengi River and the iconic Gangbal Lakes and glaciers. He stressed that tourism must always remain environmentally responsible, ensuring a healthy balance between economic development and ecological conservation.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zahid Parwaz Chowdhury explained the procedure for filing Individual Forest Rights (IFR) and Community Forest Rights (CFR) claims. He provided detailed guidance on the functioning and responsibilities of the Forest Rights Committees (FRCs), Sub-Divisional Level Committees (SDLCs), and District Level Committees (DLCs), encouraging eligible forest dwellers to participate actively in the implementation process.

Earlier, Bashir Tedwa welcomed the participants, introduced the speakers, and outlined the objectives and agenda of the awareness programme.

A major outcome of the Gram Sabha was the constitution of the Village Forest Rights Committee (FRC). Members of the newly formed committee received practical training on documentation, claim preparation, record maintenance, and community participation, enabling them to effectively implement the Forest Rights Act at the grassroots level.

The Gram Sabha unanimously resolved that:

Forests belong to the traditional forest-dwelling communities, who bear the primary responsibility of conserving and protecting this invaluable natural heritage for future generations.

•Local communities will actively work for the conservation of forests, pastoralism, rivers, biodiversity, wildlife, wetlands, and Himalayan glaciers.

•Preserving the unique pastoral culture and the rich natural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir will remain a collective priority.

•Sustainable and community-led conservation will be promoted alongside responsible tourism to ensure long-term ecological resilience.

The Forest Rights Coalition–J&K reiterated that genuine forest conservation is only possible when local communities are recognized as equal partners in governance. The Coalition stated that empowering forest dwellers through the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act will strengthen climate resilience, reduce conflicts, protect biodiversity, and secure sustainable livelihoods.

On behalf of the Coalition, Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool expressed sincere gratitude to Omar Abdullah for issuing recent directions to accelerate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act and for halting the eviction of eligible forest dwellers. He also thanked the Hon'ble Forest Minister for supporting the effective implementation of the Act across Jammu & Kashmir.

The Coalition further conveyed special appreciation to Mian Mehar Ali for his consistent support, advocacy, and leadership in presenting the Kangan Declaration before the Chief Minister, thereby strengthening the voices of forest-dependent communities.

The Forest Rights Coalition–J&K reaffirmed its commitment to building a people-centred model of conservation where forests thrive because communities thrive. The Coalition called upon all stakeholders, government institutions, civil society organizations, researchers, and citizens to work together in safeguarding Jammu & Kashmir's forests, rivers, glaciers, biodiversity, and pastoral heritage for generations to come.

Others Who were present, Sajad Kassana (FRC District President Ganderbal),Mr Shareef Paktoon, Arif Kasana Journalist Growing Kashmir

06/08/2026

The Principal DIET Sopore Baramulla chaired a Comprehensive Review cm consultative Meet with all Zonal Educatio Officers (ZEO’s) of District Baramulla to Strengthen Educational Reforms under NEP 2020 Through Enhanced Collaboration.


Sopore, Baramulla: In a significant step towards strengthening educational governance and accelerating the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Sopore, convened a comprehensive high-level review cm consultative meeting with the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) of District Baramulla. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Nikhet Mir, Principal, DIET Sopore, and brought together Heads of Departments, District Nodal Officers (DNOs), and academic functionaries to deliberate on key educational priorities and reinforce institutional partnerships for improving learning outcomes across the district.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Nikhet Mir joined by Vice Principal DIET Baramulla, Mr. Ali Mohammad shah, emphasized the urgent need to transition from the Traditional Teaching Model (TTM) to Competency-Based Learning (CBL), as envisioned under NEP 2020. She underscored the importance of strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through effective implementation of Vidya Pravesh, Jadui Pitara, and the National Curriculum Frameworks for the Foundational and School Stages. She called upon schools to engage teachers in regular academic discussions on NEP 2020 and the NCFs, ensuring that policy reforms translate into meaningful classroom practices. Stressing the importance of teacher professional development, she directed that the benefits of in-service training must reach every teacher, achieving complete saturation and measurable classroom impact. She also urged that school-level reports of PARAKH PRS 2024 and the Foundational Learning Study (FLS) be shared with schools to support evidence-based academic planning and targeted interventions.

During the deliberations, Mr. Javaid Ahmad Lone, Head of Department, DIET Sopore, highlighted the need for systematic post-training impact analysis based on classroom observations. He emphasized that teacher training should lead to visible pedagogical transformation and called upon ZEOs to actively support DIET through timely sharing of teacher data, strengthening academic monitoring, and encouraging teachers to implement competency-based pedagogical practices.


District Nodal Officers presented updates on major flagship programmes, including NIPUN Bharat, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), School Safety, Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK), Holistic Progress Card (HPC), PM eVIDYA, INSPIRE, inclusive education, and other centrally sponsored initiatives. Speaking on behalf of the NIPUN/FLN/PARAKH PRS/FLS and School Safety programmes, Mr. Rameez Ahmad highlighted the fifth anniversary of the NIPUN Bharat Mission and emphasized that improvements in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) are closely linked to effective implementation of FLN, teacher capacity building, school leadership, assessment reforms, and safe learning environments. Mr. Tanveer Ahmad discussed the strategic importance of Vidya Samiksha Kendra, emphasizing that it is closely monitored at the highest administrative levels. He encouraged to maximize utilization of digital initiatives. Mr. Khursheed Ahmad discussed centrally sponsored initiatives including INSPIRE and Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAS) which is a precursor to many STEM subjects. Mr. Kaisar Ahmad presented the evolving framework of Assessment Reforms under the Holistic Progress Card (HPC). He also highlighted the educational opportunities available through PM eVIDYA, provide quality educational content capable of supplementing classroom instruction. And Mr. Manzoor Ahmad spoke about the need to have an inclusive approach to different groups based on their disability, socio-economic backgrounds or gender.
The Zonal Education Officers shared best practices from their respective zones, including early preparation for PARAKH PRS 2027, dissemination of school performance reports, organization of Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) fairs, focused interventions for Grades 3, 6, and 9, and initiatives aimed at improving competency-based learning and learning outcomes. They unanimously expressed their commitment to working closely with DIET and requested more zonal-level capacity-building programmes on NEP 2020, FLN, HPC, and related educational reforms.
The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks by the Principal DIET, a collective pledge to deepen coordination, strengthen teacher education, enhance academic monitoring, promote inclusive and safe schools, and work collaboratively towards building a resilient, learner-centred education system in District Baramulla in alignment with the transformative vision of NEP 2020.

22/07/2026

Jammu & Kashmir Educator's Research Paper Accepted at Prestigious International Conference in New York

Srinagar, July 22: In a significant achievement for the educational and research community of Jammu & Kashmir, noted educator and Fulbright Fellow Mr. Rameez Ahmad Sudhan of Baramulla has had his work accepted following a competitive review process for presentation at the prestigious Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Northeast Regional Conference on Education, Migration, and Displacement, scheduled to be held from November 13–15, 2026 at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA.
The Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), one of the world's leading academic associations in the field of education, brings together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers from across the globe to deliberate on pressing educational issues.
His work in Education, District Institute of Education & Training (DIET) Baramulla were he is currently serving includes Continous teacher Professional development,developing educational resources, and supporting schools in implementing competency-based learning approaches aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and NIPUN Bharat Mission.
His professional journey reflects a strong belief that education can serve as a powerful instrument for social change, resilience, peace-building, and human development. He strongly believes that Education should not only impart knowledge but also nurture compassion, resilience, safety, and hope among children and communities.
The study is particularly significant because it amplifies the voices of communities that remain underrepresented in global educational discourse. The conference organisers, in their acceptance communication, noted that the event seeks to encourage new scholarship and interdisciplinary dialogue on migration, displacement, and education, while promoting participation from emerging scholars.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sudhan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country & present educational experiences from Jammu & Kashmir on such an international forum. He remarked that the acceptance of the paper represents not only a personal achievement but also recognition of the resilience of students, teachers, and communities. He thanked his office & the department to provide the opportunities of sustained growth & learning that has been a hallmark in National Education Policy - 2020. He said, “The experiences of children and educators in Jammu and Kashmir deserve greater international attention. Education remains a powerful instrument for resilience, peace-building, and hope.”
The acceptance of Mr. Sudhan's research paper at one of the world's most respected forums in comparative and international education marks yet another milestone in Kashmir's growing engagement with global educational scholarship.

21/07/2026

Heavy Rain Triggers Surge in Nallah Sukhnag, Damages Shops in Beerwah

20/07/2026

Baba Demb Submerged After Rain

A waterlogged stretch at Baba Demb in 's area following heavy . The inundation caused inconvenience to residents and highlighted persistent drainage issues in the locality.

📸 Bilal

15/07/2026

| Press conference of PSAJK led by President Dr. Nazrul Islam Baba

09/07/2026

01/07/2026

Baramulla: Locals, Supporters Hold Peaceful Protest Seeking Apology from NC MLA Javid Hassan Beigh

A peaceful protest was staged near Carriapa Park in Baramulla by locals and supporters following the alleged use of abusive language against former Municipal Council President Touseef Raina.

The protesters demanded a public apology from National Conference MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beigh. They raised slogans and expressed resentment over the remarks, stating that such language was unacceptable in public life.

The protest remained peaceful, with demonstrators urging the MLA to apologize and maintain dignity in political discourse.

01/07/2026

| Former Municipal Council President Baramulla, Touseef Raina, has alleged that he was verbally abused, threatened, and manhandled by the Baramulla while hearing public grievances in Khajabagh. Raina has urged SSP Baramulla to conduct a fair investigation and register an FIR if the allegations are found to be true, asserting that no one is above the law.

30/06/2026

The protest staged by the PDP against the National Conference government’s outsourcing policy is nothing more than an attempt to rewrite history. It is unfortunate that those who remained in power for years and presided over rising unemployment, stalled recruitment, and governance failures now seek to portray themselves as champions of the youth.

The people of Jammu and Kashmir have not forgotten who governed the region for decades. Both the PDP and the National Conference had ample opportunities to create a transparent, merit-based recruitment system and provide meaningful employment to our youth. Instead, young people were left grappling with uncertainty, delayed recruitment, and a growing trust deficit.

Today, the National Conference government must answer serious questions regarding outsourcing, recruitment delays, and allegations surrounding transparency in appointments. Instead of providing employment opportunities and restoring confidence among the youth, the government has allowed frustration and uncertainty to deepen.

At the same time, the PDP cannot escape accountability by organizing symbolic protests. A party that had its own share of power cannot distance itself from the very problems it now claims to oppose. Political theatrics cannot erase years of governance, nor can selective outrage substitute genuine commitment to the aspirations of unemployed youth.

Youth Apni Party believes that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than a blame game between two parties that have alternated in power. The people are looking for accountability, transparent governance, and concrete solutions not headline-driven politics.

We reiterate our demand for complete transparency in recruitment, merit-based appointments, a review of outsourcing policies affecting local employment, and strict action against anyone found responsible for irregularities, irrespective of political affiliation.