An awareness-cum-training programme at SBF Thathri concluded on Tuesday, featuring interactive sessions and practical demonstrations by Dr Muzamil Anayat, Dr Tanveer Mushtaq, Dr Ayaz Ahmed and their team, with participants encouraged to apply the knowledge gained to field practices.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kishtwar, trained 30 officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture departments in organic and natural farming practices under Project 16 of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), focusing on soil health management, sustainable agricultural systems, resource conservation and improved farm productivity.

A highway construction worker was killed and a truck conductor injured in separate incidents on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district. The accidents occurred near Seri on Sunday morning.

Thathri’s breathtaking mountain landscape conceals significant risks from flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides and riverbank erosion. Following the devastating flooding of July 2026, the proposed Chenab River Protection Corridor has moved to departmental examination, raising hopes for stronger protection of the vulnerable town. However, timely approvals, effective implementation and comprehensive disaster preparedness will be crucial to safeguarding lives, homes and infrastructure against future extreme weather events.

A Special Gram Sabha was held at Panchayat Halqa Dugga in Block Drabshalla, Kishtwar, on Thursday under the chairmanship of Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kishtwar Manoj Kumar. The meeting discussed village development planning, sanitation, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prevention of child marriages and the Nasha Mukt programme, while encouraging public participation in preparing a five-year development vision for the panchayat.

Five officers from the Chenab Valley — Rajesh Kumar Shavan, Akhtar Hussain Qazi, Dil Mir Choudhary, Sunil Bhutyal and Ashraf Pervaz — are among 36 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers promoted to higher administrative grades by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The promotions, approved by the Council of Ministers and issued through a series of General Administration Department orders, cover the Super Time Scale, Special Scale and Selection Grade of the JKAS. The elevation of five Chenabi officers is being seen as a significant development for the region’s representation in the Union Territory’s administrative structure.

The Chenab Valley's forests, rivers, and mountain landscapes support a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with scientific studies recording 251 bird species across the region's major watersheds. As settlements, infrastructure, and land-use patterns continue to evolve, understanding how these changes may affect local habitats has become increasingly important. While concerns about bird populations deserve attention, experts emphasize the need for long-term monitoring and scientific data to accurately assess trends and ensure that future development remains compatible with the valley's rich biodiversity.