Jammu & Kashmir Current Affairs – Set 3 – Jammu & Kashmir PSC/JKAS – Free PDF Download

Jammu & Kashmir Current Affairs

Kashmiri Hand-Knotted Carpets Get QR Code-Based GI Tag

• The handmade carpets in Jammu and Kashmir will now get QR code-based certification, which is a first-of-its-kind in the country.
• Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor launched the Quick Response Code-based mechanism for labelling of the carpets in the Union Territory.
• The QR-code based label will capture vital parameters of the carpet such as GI Tag, manufacturer, artisan, knots per square inch, the material used, among others.
• Customers can now verify the authenticity and other requisite details of carpets produced in Jammu and Kashmir and assure themselves that the product they purchased was not fake.

Carpets of J&K

• The carpets from J&K are being exported to at least 25 countries.
• In 2020-21, carpets worth  Rs 115 crore were exported to Germany while the figures were Rs 34 crore for US, 36 crore for UAE and Rs 22 crore for the Netherlands.
• The Kashmir ruler Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin introduced the carpet industry in Kashmir valley.
• Khabdan Pile Carpets, Knotted Carpets, Gabba Rugs, Namda Felted Rugs, Tsyg Dul Rugs are some important varities of Kashmiri Carpets.

GI Tag Sought for 2 Products in J&K

• The Geographical Indications Registry has received applications seeking the GI tag for Kaladi of Udhampur and Willow Bat of Kashmir.
• The Shyam Kaladi Cooperative Limited, Jammu and Kashmir, filed an application for the Udhampur Kaladi (a traditional ripened cheese product).
• It is an authentic Dogra cuisine that originated from Ramnagar in Udhampur district.
• Kaladi is prepared daily at almost every sweet shop in the Jammu region.
• Over the years, it has evolved into a cottage industry in this region.
• The famous willow cricket bats of Kashmir are in the process of getting GI (Geographical Indication) tags.

• There are more than 200 bat-making factories in Kashmir and hundreds of people earn their livelihoods through them.
• A study showed that it will serve as a great marketing strategy for selling these bats in international markets.
• After J&K’s transition into a Union Territory following products -Kani Shawl, Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozini Craft, Kashmir Papier-Machie, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband, Kashmiri Hand Knotted Carpets and Kashmir Saffron, have been issued GI tag to fight counter branding.

State Bird and Animal of J&K

• In October 2021, The J&K Government had declared Kalij Pheasant as bird of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment issued an order in this regard after the approval of the Lieutenant Governor of J&K
• The bird Kalij Pheasant, is widely found particularly in Mansar, Surinsar, Jasrota and Bhaderwah areas and is also known as Lophura Leucomelanos.
• Kashmir Stag (Hangul) is the state animal of Jammu & Kashmir, is restricted to the Dachigam National Park some 15 km north-west of Jammu & Kashmir’s Srinagar.

• The erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir had Black-necked Crane as State Bird and Kashmir Stag (Hangul) as State Animal.
• After the bifurcation of the State, Black-necked Crane is now declared as the state bird of Ladakh as it found only in Eastern Ladakh.
• Similarly, Snow Leopard (Panther Unica) is now the state bird of Ladakh.
• In total, there are about 7,500 snow leopards left in the world.
• Out of which 500 are in India.
• However, experts state that the population of snow leopards is between 200-300 in Ladakh alone.

Pilot Project to Revive Namda Craft

• In December 2021, Government of India launched a pilot project to revive and promote traditional ‘Namda’ craft in Jammu and Kashmir
• The pilot project is a part Centre’s efforts to increase the carpet export from ₹600 crore to ₹6,000 crore.

Namda Carpets

• These are floor coverings which are very famous in Kashmir valley.
• These are mainly hade by woollen and cotton fibres.

• These are less expensive and small in size than the carpets.
• Emporiums in Srinagar have a large variety of Namdas.
• Revival of Namda craft of Kashmir is a special pilot project under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
• PMKVY is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  which aims to enable Indian youth to take up industry relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood.

Download current affair| Free PDF

Sharing is caring!