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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
The summer of '25
Serpentine macadamised roads cut through apple orchards spread over 26,231 hectares of land in the Shopian district in south Kashmir. The famous apple varieties of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Ambri are at an advanced stage of maturity. They will be harvested in August. This year's extreme weather conditions, however, have posed a rare challenge to farmers in Kashmir, as the Valley is in the throes of a heat spell that is causing rivers and their tributaries to thin down. Bashir Dar, 62, an orchardist wearing a thin cotton shirt and loose trousers, has a towel on his shoulders to wipe the sweat away. Unused to this sort of heat, he and his college-going children set out at first light to tend their orchards in Narapora, in Shopian, 3 kilometres away from home. Erratic showers in the first week of July failed to lift the mood of orchardists grappling with multiple issues, including apple trees getting sunburn, fast multiplication of scab infection, and setting in of deformities in their apple produce. 'Apple produce faced the first phase of deformity in April this year when an unprecedented hailstorm wounded trees badly and hit the blossom too. Now this dry spell and the heatwave are threatening the size and colour of fruit,' says Dar. Usually, the fruit turns deep red and green. At 37.4 degrees Celsius, Kashmir logged the third-highest July temperature since 1946 and the highest since 1953. This was also the hottest June since 1978, with Srinagar in central Kashmir recording 34.6°C, Kupwara in north Kashmir logging 35.9 degrees Celsius, and Kokernag in south Kashmir registering 34 degrees Celsius. Most days of June, the maximum day temperature was between four to seven degrees above normal. The Division of Agrometeorology at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has been issuing weekly advisories to farmers in Kashmir to help them tide through the period. One advisory has asked orchardists to paint apple trees white, to reflect the sun. 'Use mulch for moisture conservation and keep a watch for scab and mites as high temperatures may trigger an outbreak,' says another week's advisory. Though Dar has followed the advice and has started to paint the apple tree trunks white, he is worried about the rest of the season. Apples thrive in temperatures below 33°Celsius. Dar has 3 acres of land, with each holding about 1,000 trees. 'We get 10 to 15 kg per tree. I am not sure if we will get the same produce this year,' he says. Kashmir produced 20.56 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of apples in 2024-25, accounting for over 73% of India's total production. 'Apple varieties need 1,000 to 1,500 chilling hours (temperature exposure of below 7°C in winter). A prolonged summer and shrinking winter have reduced the chilling hours,' says Lateef Ahmad, a scientist at the Division of Agrometeorology, SKUAST-K. Of the 2.14 lakh hectares of horticulture land, 1.45 lakh hectares are under apple cultivation in Kashmir. Over 3.5 lakh farmers depend on the produce. It's not just apples; the rice crop, too, is suffering in unprecedented temperatures. Fish farming is also bearing the brunt of the heat. Over 800 people have set up their own trout fish units in Kashmir. 'With streams running low and many tributaries drying up this summer, the raceways where fish are multiplied have also come under stress,' Aqib Khan, a farmer from Kokernag, says. In 2024, J&K's fish production hit a record 28,000 metric tonnes. Kashmir's weather drift Mukhtar Ahmad, Director, Meteorological Department (MeT), Srinagar, warns that another spell of hot and humid weather in Kashmir will set in again from July 11. He says, 'Extended dry spells, with an overall increase in average temperature, resulted in high day and night temperatures in Kashmir in June.' He adds that overcast conditions do not allow the temperature to fall. According to the MeT, a heat wave is declared in a place when the departure is 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal; a severe heat wave is a departure from normal by over 6.4 degrees Celsius. Kashmir saw both a heat wave and a severe heat wave in June. Many scientists call this year's weather pattern an alarm bell that needs the attention of policymakers to chart the future course of the Valley. Kashmir's temperate weather pattern has generally seen spells of hot weather followed by rain that keeps the day temperature around 30 degrees Celsius. The pattern has seen a change in the past few years, and Dr. Ahmad says the temperature has been steadily rising by 1-1.5 degrees Celsius. 'We are alarmingly shifting from a temperate zone to sub-tropical weather conditions, mimicking the weather of Jammu. It's too early to predict how the weather pattern will play out in the future, but the shift is worrying,' says Mohammad Muslim, an assistant professor at the Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir. Particularly concerning are the night temperatures. Srinagar recorded a night temperature of 24.5 degrees Celsius on July 5, which is a departure from the norm of 18.2 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam, a hilly area, saw a 7.6 degrees Celsius rise, recording 20 degrees Celsius on the night of July 5. 'A night temperature hovering around 21-24 degrees Celsius is typical of a tropical climate. The change in the pattern of the Land Use Land Cover (LULC) and the high emissivity from the growing built-up areas, and shrinking green spaces are contributing factors,' says Muslim. Srinagar's minimum temperature for June traditionally has been less than 18 degrees Celsius. Srinagar's drift, more evident than in other parts of the Valley, towards sub-tropical weather conditions is being attributed to fast urbanisation. From 34.53 square kilometres in 2000, Srinagar spread to 60.63 sq. km in 2020, according to SKUAST research data. It said that the area of water bodies was 7.48% in 2000 and was reduced to 5.58% in 2020. Similarly, the extent of vegetation in the city came down from 43.87 sq. km in 2000 to 26.23 sq. km by 2020. From 1.02 sq. km of dense forests in 2000, the city forest reduced to 0.38 sq. km by 2020. Farming's bleak future South Kashmir's Anantnag district is fed by the Kolahoi glacier in summer, a source of the Lidder river that flows into the Jhelum. Daddu canal, which feeds the paddy fields of Dadu, Chek Daddu, Panjpora, and Chek Panjpora, villages in Bijbhera tehsil, saw portions dry up in June. It fuelled rare street protests by farmers. 'Most farmers would depend on this canal,' says Najmu Saqib, a People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and an environmental activist. While farmers in many other States in India are giving up their traditional occupations and getting government jobs for fixed incomes, that was never the case in Kashmir, he says. There were times farmers would request government officials to reduce the water flow at the source. 'This year, the canal has turned into a desert. People are reeling under drought-like conditions, even impacting their livestock. Many have lost cattle due to a lack of water,' adds Saqib. In the face of street protests, the authorities decided to release water in a phased manner, but there was a whole week when the fields were not watered. Protests over water scarcity are being reported from across the length and breadth of the Valley this summer. Women raised anti-government slogans in Central Kashmir's Budgam and Srinagar, and north Kashmir's Baramulla. Orchardists and farmers in Baramulla's Kreeri and Wagoora lodged their protests against the decrease in water discharge to their fields. Ferozepur nallah, just 5 km from the snow-covered peaks of Gulmarg, once irrigated over 8,750 acres of agricultural land through nine channels. 'This year, it has been overexploited. The irrigation water is being diverted and sucked upstream to supply drinking water, leaving us dry downstream,' says Hassan Wani, a resident of Pattan. The areas affected include Dargam, Tilgam, and Nehalpora, among others. 'Fertile paddy lands in Dargam and surrounding villages are not getting the required water for paddy,' says Wani. He says hundreds of local farmers have been forced to abandon their rice fields due to this irrigation water crisis. 'Many have shifted to less water-intensive crops like apples, out of compulsion,' he adds. The water crisis is likely to hit over 8,375 acres of agricultural land in the region. 'The livelihood of 4 lakh people on this land is impacted. It's not just environmental mismanagement, but an economic disaster,' says Wani. 'Usually, water bodies go dry in winter, and there's plenty in summer because of the melting of snow,' explains Ahmad. About a decade ago, Kashmir would get 70-80% of its precipitation in the form of snow between November and February. 'The snow would replenish glaciers and stay strong till summer. Now, we get precipitation in the form of rain in winter, depleting snow cover on the mountains around the Valley,' he says. Ecological and economic damage Javed Rana, Minister for Public Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation and Flood Control, says, 'Teams are monitoring canal levels continuously, and efforts are being made to regulate flows and clear silt and obstructions to optimise available water.' However, the Environmental Policy Group (EPG), a non-governmental organisation, accuses the department of 'abrupt and unscientific release of water from the Hokersar Wetland' in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. 'This action has caused the water level, usually maintained at 4 to 5 feet, to drop sharply, leading to the drying up of vast portions of the wetland and inflicting severe ecological damage,' says Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, Convener of the EPG. The immediate consequence of this is a threat to nearly 10,000 breeding birds currently in the wetland. Many of them are newly hatched and lack the ability to fly or migrate to safer habitats. With the wetland drained, these birds now face death by exposure and starvation, marking a distressing ecological crisis. The EPG alleges that water was released to benefit 'encroachers who have illegally cultivated paddy in large parts of the Hokersar Wetland'. Bakshi says, 'Wetlands like Hokersar are not only biodiversity hotspots, but also natural water reservoirs that regulate flow, mitigate floods, and sustain communities through responsible harvesting of nadru (lotus stem), water chestnuts, and other aquatic produce.' He seeks the intervention of J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani, and the government spokesperson and adviser to the CM, says Abdullah did assess the situation. 'We faced depletion in groundwater in June. We have to devise a mechanism to harvest rainwater for irrigation. Thankfully, we had a few spells of rain, and there is no serious damage reported to crops.' He says the government is looking at old models of water reservoirs and is seeking expert advice for a plan for the future. A study was conducted by Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, a renowned climatologist and Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology. 'The Kolahoi glacier has shrunk by 2.81 square km in the last 51 years, losing an ice volume of 0.30 cubic km. The temperatures are predicted to increase almost 10 times more than those observed during the Last Glacial Maximum (over a period of 20,000 years). The future temperature is predicted to rise between 0.18 degrees Celsius and 0.61 degrees Celsius per decade,' the study warns. Another change in weather patterns is the growing contribution of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) to annual precipitation. Kashmir receives precipitation of 71.54% from October to May, and the remaining 28.46% of rainfall between June and September. According to MeT data, the ISM's contribution to total rainfall has increased from 23.95% in the 1980-90 period to 30.49% in 2010-2017. 'Monsoon rains bring torrential downpours, which are not steady enough to allow the surface to absorb water for a longer period and prove fruitful for crops,' says Ahmad. The extent to which changing weather patterns are impacting Kashmir is also gauged from people's gardens. 'Most flower saplings like pansy and gazania dried up this year,' says Rashid Khan, a resident of Lal Bazaar in Srinagar. 'People this year stopped buying mid-summer saplings like zinnias because of the heatwave,' says Akhtar Mir, a nursery owner from Srinagar's Foreshore area. Edited by Sunalini Mathew
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Himachal apple growers worry reduced tariffs in India-U.S. trade deal will flood market with cheaper American apples
Even as India negotiates a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the U.S. following American President Donald Trump's steep tariff protectionism, apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are concerned about a potential reduction in tariffs on apples, which they fear could severely impact their livelihoods. Amid these concerns, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Congress MLA from Theog constituency in Shimla district and spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), has urged political parties to collectively resist external pressure from any foreign country to protect the interests of the hill State's apple growers. All seven Members of Parliament from Himachal Pradesh, in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, should firmly raise the concerns of apple growers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Mr. Rathore said. In a letter to Mr. Goyal, the Congress MLA demanded the Central government safeguard and protect the interests of lakhs of small and marginal apple growers. 'Recent signals from the ongoing India-U.S. trade talks indicate that the U.S. negotiation team is aggressively pushing for tariff reductions on American apples, particularly the Red Delicious variety, which directly competes with Himachal's primary apple crop,' Mr. Rathore said in the letter. 'The U.S. has already secured significant tariff reductions on other agricultural products. For instance, import duties on almonds, pistachios, and walnuts were slashed from 100% to approximately 30% in recent bilateral agreements, boosting U.S. exports while adversely impacting Indian farmers. In 2023, U.S. walnut exports to India alone increased by 25% following these concessions, according to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) trade data. A similar reduction in apple duties would devastate Himachal's apple industry, which lacks the scale and subsidies of the U.S,' Mr. Rathore said, pointing out that the apple growers' concerns were not speculative. Apples are the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's economy, supporting over 1.5 lakh families, primarily small and marginal farmers, with an annual turnover of approximately ₹5,000 crore. According to the the State's Department of Horticulture, Himachal produces around 6.5 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, accounting for nearly 25% of India's total apple production. These farmers, operating on small landholdings, rely on apples for their primary income, with limited options in diversifying due to the State's hilly terrain. Any reduction in India's current import duty on apples would be detrimental for local growers, Ravinder Chauhan, president of the Apple Growers Association of India, said. 'As of now, the import duty on apples is at 50%, which in fact should be increased to 100%. If import duty is reduced, it will result in the flooding of the market with cheaper U.S. apples, which would badly hit the local growers and their livelihoods,' Mr. Chauhan told The Hindu.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
From Fuji to Honeycrisp: Here is how different types of apples got their names
Fruits play a crucial role in our daily lives. There are a variety of fruits that are present in the world that are unique in taste and also, they are highly beneficial as well. Among these fruits, apples are one of the most loved fruits that carry a lot of benefits and they also have a good taste. Beside this, there is a variety of apples that are available with different names. According to a report by Treehugger, from fuji to honeycrisp, apples come in many flavors and each of them carry a different story too. In this article, we will explore the origins of some of the most well-known varieties of apple varieties that carry different stories with them. Exploring how various apples got their names Red Delicious The Red Delicious apple got its name because of its deep red color and sweet flavor which was the first fascinating feature about it when it was first discovered. It was originally known as the 'Hawkeye' apple but was later renamed as Red Delicious as this name highlighted its bright red skin and the enjoyable taste that it carries which makes it even more appealing to the shoppers. Thus, the change in name helped in selling of these apples in even larger amounts than before. Source: Froovella Fuji The Fuji apple is named after the city of Japan named Fujisaki where it was first discovered in the late 1930s. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo This variety was created by crossing two American apples which were the Red Delicious and Ralls Janet in order to produce a sweet and crisp apple that quickly gained popularity worldwide in a very short span of time. The name of these apples reflect its place of origin and directly connect it to its Japanese roots. Thus, it is highly liked by people from all around the world. Source: Wikipedia Golden Delicious The Golden Delicious apple got its name by its bright yellow-gold color and rich flavor. It was first discovered on a farm in West Virginia in the early 1900s and was originally known as the 'Mullin's Yellow Seedling.' After a period of time, the name was changed to Golden Delicious in order to make it more appealing to buyers as this name highlighted both its beautiful golden skin and delicious taste. Thus, this new name helped the apple in gaining popularity all over the world. Source: Wikipedia Granny Smith The Granny Smith apple is named after an Australian woman named Maria Ann Smith who discovered this variety of green apples in the 1860s. The story is that she found a seedling that was growing near her home and started cultivating it. The apple's bright green color and tart flavor made it unique and this name gives the apple a personal touch that shows how even the name of apples can come from the people behind their discovery. Source: Wikipedia Empire The Empire apple was developed in New York in the 1940s as a cross between the popular Red Delicious and McIntosh apples. Its name reflects the nickname of New York which is the 'Empire State' which highlights the apple's local roots. The name was chosen to emphasize the apple's strong connection to its roots. By naming it Empire, the people linked it with a sense of pride and quality which helped it to gain popularity all over the world. Source: Wikipedia Honeycrisp The Honeycrisp apple was developed by researchers in Minnesota in the 1960s. Thus, its name highlights the two of its best features which are a sweet honey-like flavor and a crisp juicy texture. Thus, honeycrisp focuses on describing the eating experience with its catchy and descriptive name that helped in making the apple an instant hit with consumers. Source: Wikipedia Also read: NASA ensures nutritional adequacy for astronauts despite limited fresh food on the ISS One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Red vs Green: Which apple is better for gut health?
The popular adage, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away,' reflects the numerous health benefits associated with this humble fruit. An excellent source of essential nutrients and fibre, apples help support digestive health in multiple ways. But between the two kinds of apples widely available in the market – red and green — which one is better for gut health? Let's find out. According to Deepalaksmi, registered dietitian at Shree Balaji Medical Center, Chennai, the key differences lie in their sugar content, antioxidant levels, and the types of fibre they offer, which influence their impact on overall health and gut function. Green Apples 'Green apples, such as Granny Smith, are known for their tartness and are lower in natural sugars compared to their red counterparts. This makes them particularly suitable for individuals managing blood sugar levels, as they have a lower glycaemic index,' said Deepalakshmi. Green apples are slightly higher in dietary fibre, especially pectin, a soluble fibre that helps regulate bowel movements, fosters the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and supports gut health by enhancing intestinal microbiota diversity. She added that they also contain polyphenols, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to a healthier gut by protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation. Apples are a rich source of pectin (Source: Freepik) Red Apples According to her, red apples, such as Red Delicious and Fuji, are sweeter and have a higher concentration of anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants found in their skin. These antioxidants help protect the gut from oxidative damage, support heart health, and can also reduce inflammation, benefiting overall gut health. 'Though red apples contain slightly less fibre than green apples, they still provide an excellent amount of both soluble and insoluble fibre, which is crucial for maintaining regular bowel movements and a healthy digestive tract,' she added. Red vs Green: Which is better? While both red and green apples are beneficial for gut health, Deepalakshmi said that green apples may have a slight edge due to their lower sugar content and higher fibre levels, particularly in promoting gut health in individuals looking to manage weight or improve blood sugar control. She added that consuming apples with the peel is essential, as most of the fibre, polyphenols, and antioxidants are concentrated in this part of the fruit. For optimal benefits, Deepalakshmi recommends incorporating apples into a balanced diet, focusing on whole, minimally processed foods rich in fibre and antioxidants.
Observer
01-04-2025
- Health
- Observer
Is chia seed water good for you?
In a video on TikTok, a woman waves a plastic water bottle containing chia seeds, lemon juice and water in front of the camera. She's on her fourth day of drinking the gloop, she says. 'Let me tell you something,' she adds, 'this is, like, the realest thing I've ever learned on the internet. I am the most constipated person I know,' but since drinking the chia seeds, she continues, she has 'never been so regular.' It's a familiar line on TikTok, where views for many videos about 'the internal shower,' as the drink has been called, number in the millions. Chia seed water is made from simple ingredients: just a tablespoon or two of chia seeds, water and perhaps a squeeze of lemon juice for taste. Yet the drink has been said to have big benefits, including helping with bloating, bowel irregularity and even weight loss. To a certain extent, these claims are true, said Amanda Lynett, a dietitian specialising in gastroenterology and hepatology at Michigan Medicine. Thanks to the high fiber content, chia seeds are one of her go-to dietary recommendations for people who struggle with constipation, she said. But you don't have to chug them in water to enjoy their benefits. Experts say that no matter how you consume chia seeds — whether sprinkled onto oatmeal or yoghurt, or mixed into puddings, baked goods or smoothies — they'll still help your digestion. What does the research suggest? When asked if any studies had examined whether chia seeds could reduce constipation, the experts said they weren't aware of any. But there's good research in general showing that dietary fiber — an essential nutrient abundant in chia seeds — can help. A 2-tablespoon serving of dry chia seeds contains nearly 10 grammes of fiber. That's more than twice the amount in a medium Red Delicious apple and a good portion of the recommended 21 to 38 grammes most people should eat each day. Chia seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, said Dr Sophie M Balzora, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance when it dissolves in water and can help keep your stool soft, while insoluble fiber adds mass to your bowel movements, making them bulkier and easier to pass, Balzora said. So, there is some truth to the idea that chia seeds can help with constipation. Lynett added that they can also help reduce bloating and discomfort. This laxative like effect isn't unique to chia seeds, said Joanne Slavin, a dietitian and professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota. Other fiber-rich foods — such as nuts and seeds, most fruits and vegetables, and whole grains — can help reduce constipation too; as can staying hydrated and taking fiber-rich supplements such as psyllium husk. Some on social media have said that chia seed water can also help you lose weight — fast. One woman on TikTok said it helped her lose 4 pounds in three days. Such rapid weight changes are probably a result of losing water weight from going to the bathroom, not of losing body fat, Balzora said. That weight would most likely come right back after drinking a large glass of water, she added. But chia seed water could help you feel full, which could reduce how many calories you consume. 'You're going to feel more satiated than someone who had, say, a bagel,' Balzora said. Over time, this could contribute to longer-term weight loss. Does the water do anything special? Consuming chia seeds in liquid might be easier on your stomach than eating them dry, Lynett said. When you soak chia seeds in water, they expand and produce a slimy substance called mucilage, said Elvira de Mejia, a professor of food science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This is part of what helps to bulk up your stool and keep it soft. When you eat chia seeds dry, Lynett said, that expansion happens in your gut instead of in your glass, potentially leading to bloating and cramping. No matter how you consume them, the discomfort you feel from eating chia seeds will depend on how much fiber you're used to eating in general, she said. It may take some experimentation to figure out how many chia seeds mixed into your food or drink will ease your constipation without stomach discomfort. Lynett recommended starting off with 1 tablespoon (or less) and soaking the seeds in water (or milk to create chia pudding, or adding them to overnight oats or smoothies) until they've visibly expanded. That said, if you notice any sudden changes in your typical bowel habits, such as unusual constipation, blood in your stool, vomiting or severe stomach pain, it's a good idea to forget the chia seeds and see a doctor, as these symptoms can sometimes signal a serious condition, Balzora said. You can start with a primary care doctor, who might then refer you to a gastroenterologist. — The New York Times
