This year, saffron fields to spice up tourists’ reel life in Kashmir

Source: The post is based on the article “This year, saffron fields to spice up tourists’ reel life in Kashmir ” published in The Hindu on 2nd November 2022.

What is the News?

The Kashmir tourism department invited students and local farmers to join the saffron festival organized in Pampore to highlight the whole process of saffron cultivation. 

About Saffron

Saffron is a plant whose dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) are used to make saffron spice.

Saffron cultivation is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by Central Asian immigrants around the 1st Century BCE.

It has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of the region.

It is known all over the world as a spice, and health rejuvenator and is also used in cosmetics as well as for medicinal purposes.

Saffron is referred to as ‘bahukam’ in ancient Sanskrit literature.

It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of J&K.

In 2020, the Kashmir saffron got Geographical Indication (GI) tag status.

Pampore region, commonly known as the Saffron bowl of Kashmir is the main contributor to saffron production.

Pampore Saffron Heritage of Kashmir is also one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage systems (GIAHS) recognised sites in India.