Why in the News?
Climate change, declining snowfall, and shrinking willow plantations are threatening Kashmir’s traditional cricket bat industry, which supports over 1.5 lakh livelihoods.
Kashmir Cricket Bat Industry:
- Over 100 years old industry
- Around 3 million cricket bats produced annually
- About 150 bat manufacturing units in Sangam (South Kashmir)
- 1.5 lakh people dependent on the industry
- Kashmir willow bats are supplied to: Domestic markets and International markets
Main Raw Material: Kashmir Willow
- Scientific name: Salix alba (White Willow)
- Grows near rivers and wetlands
- Requires:
- High moisture
- Moderate temperature
- Saturated soil
- Around 80% of bat wood comes from riparian zones (riverbanks and wetlands).
| [2023] Consider the following statements: 1 Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake. 2 Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake. 3 Meandering of Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
