Sir,
This has reference to the editorial’Shrinking Saffron Land'(DE, Nov17, 2016). It is sad to read that valuable saffron producing land in Kashmir has considerably shrunk owing to the conversion of this land into residential colony or commercial complexes.Unfortunately, it has happened despite the fact that the Government has banned the conversion of this land for construction of private houses and commercial sites.According to estimates,60% reduction in the quantum of saffron production has taken place due to this development.Even the Saffron Mission Project floated by the Central Government has failed to stop the farmers from converting this valuable land into housing colonies.Saffron production needs special soil and climatic conditions for its proper growth and development.The cultivators of saffron have to hard work to pick up the saffron.The saffron produced in the saffron town, Pampore in Kashmir is known for its high quality and Kashmiri saffron is valued all over the world for its exotic aroma and taste and is extensively used in culinery preparations and no festivity in Kashmir is complete without saffron.Saffron is also exported to the other countries for its various uses.It is reported to be useful in strenghening stomach and other problems and is used in Ayurvedic preparations such as Chayvanprash .Therefore, it is extensively used in medicines, decorations etc.Therefore, there is need to realise the gravity of the situation and take urgent measures to check unabated misuse and conversion of this land and preserve this valuable land as also this condiment which has been used since centuries and it formed an important part of merchandise carried out of Kashmir in olden days in return for paper, silk etc.from different countries located along the famous Silk Road.
Yours etc….
Ashok Sharma,
Flat No 4,
Housing Colony,
Udhampur.
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