Gulzar Bhat

Journalist and Writer at Freelance

Journalist | Words @businessline @NH_India, @DeccanHerald, @timesofindia @greaterkashmir

Articles

Relief for residents as garbage site in Pulwama closed after years of protests

1 week ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Pulwama, Jun 19: Authorities in south Kashmirís Pulwama town Thursday closed a troubled garbage dumping site, bringing relief to residents who had raised health and environmental concerns for years. The Municipal Council Pulwama closed the site located in Dangerpora along the townís circular road, following repeated complaints from residents, traders, and students over the foul smell and unsanitary conditions.
Farooq Abdullah slams Centre over delay in J&K by-polls

1 week ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Pulwama, Jun 16: Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah Wednesday criticised the Centre for not holding by-elections in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing it of sidelining constitutional responsibilities. By-elections were announced in other states where seats had fallen vacant, but not in J&K, Abdullah said addressing party workers in Pulwama. Two Legislative Assembly seats ñ Budgam and Nagrota – remain vacant.
Students risk lives daily to reach school in Shopian village

2 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Every day, dozens of students brave a gurgling stream to reach their school in Nakka Khathawhlan in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. In the absence of a proper bridge, two wooden logs have been precariously laid across the stream to serve as a makeshift crossing for the students. The unsafe arrangement poses a daily risk to the students, most of whom belong to the marginalized Gujjar community.
Residents demand widening of key road in Poshpora village

2 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Residents of Poshpora village in Shopian district have expressed concern over the lack of road infrastructure, citing the narrow width of a key stretch that hampers smooth vehicular movement. The road, which branches off from the main Tukroo road and connects several villages including Nazneenpora, Adoora, and the Aglar Fruit Mandi via Poshpora, is too constricted to accommodate two-way traffi, especially during the busy harvesting season.
Over 400 high-density apple trees stolen from disabled farmer’s orchard in Shopian

2 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Shopian, Jun 12: More than 400 high-density apple trees were stolen from the orchard of a physically-disabled farmer in Shopian district on Wednesday night, marking the latest in a series of such thefts across south Kashmir . The incident occurred in Landoora, a village known for producing first-rate apples, located about five kilometers from the district headquarters. Sajad Ahmad, the affected farmer, said he had invested over Rs 1.3 lakh in developing the orchard after securing a bank loan.
Pulwama residents protest against placement of dumping site

2 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Pulwama, Jun 11: Residents of Pulwama town in south Kashmir on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest, demanding the relocation of a dumping site from the Dangerpora area along Circular Road. Scores of residents gathered at the site, expressing anger over what they described as growing health and environmental hazards caused by the mountains of garbage lying in the area.
Shopian Farmers Hit by Hailstorm, Cry for Insurance Safety Net

2 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Shopian, June 9: In the aftermath of a devastating hailstorm that battered south Kashmir’s Shopian district on June 2, fruit growers are pressing the government for a long-awaited crop insurance scheme, saying compensation alone won’t safeguard them from repeated climate shocks. The storm ripped through at least a dozen villages in the region’s famed apple belt, leaving orchards in ruins.
Severe traffic jams in Shopian leave patients stranded

2 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Shopian, Jun 9: Last week, patients were seen abandoning vehicles and walking to District Hospital Shopian as bumper-to-bumper traffic brought movement to a crawl on the main road leading to the facility. Attendants helped patients to navigate the congestion with vehicles inching forward in a gridlock that forced many to proceed on foot.
Dreams Drowned in Soil: Devastation of Apple and Cherry Farms in Shopian

3 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Shopian, July 3: Standing amid the wreckage of his once-thriving orchard, Abdul Hammed silently surveys the bruised cherries scattered across the ground — a grim reminder of hopes shattered in moments. “All my hopes dashed in just a few minutes,” he says, his voice laced with despair. In the neighbouring Handew village of Imamsahib, dozens of farmers walk through their damaged orchards with misty eyes, struggling to come to terms with the losses.
Hailstorm wreaks havoc on apple belt

3 weeks ago | greaterkashmir.com | Gulzar Bhat

Shopian, Jun 2: An intense hailstorm lashed multiple villages in the Imam Sahab belt of south Kashmirís Shopian district on Monday, battering hundreds of apple orchards in the area. At around 2:30 pm, a sudden hailstorm swept through Nagbal, Handew, Wadipora, Alsshipora and Dasu villages, devastating vast apple farms that serve as the economic backbone for thousands of families in the district.