Kashmir Lake and Mountains

These are found in low forests, in swamps and on banks of the lakes. Kashmir is pre- eminently the land of forests which stately among other things are the mainstay of its economy. These are thus guarded against erosion and other losses so as to yield Maple, more and more income. It was not until 1891 that a separate forest department was formed under Mr. MacDonell – first conservative of forests. He organised the department, marked out the forest areas and made a plan for the control of felling of forests. Export began to increase until timber become a major state industry. By 1924.

Scenic View
Such proportions that the forest department had to be reorganised and a uniform system of working was introduced in the Lolab area and later extended to the other forest ranges. Belladonna grows well among the firs, and its roots and leaves, which are used in pharmaceutical processes, yield about 500 maunds a year, the price being between Rs 150 and Rs200 a maund. The Drug Research Laboratory makes considerable use of Bella Donna. The scattered wild growth of this plant is being framed out on a Larger scale at Tangmarg with considerable success.

Winter scene in the Suru Valley.

Return to Top