Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services (JKPSC)

• 26 Dec 2024

Kashmir Papier Mache

Why in News? 

• Recently, The dodo has become a popular papier mache product in Srinagar. It was once native to Mauritius and a national emblem. 

 

 Key Points 

• Craftsmanship and Production: 
  • Creating large papier mache dodos in Kashmir’s workshops takes 5-10 days. 
  • The colourful designs, featuring floral and forest motifs, highlight the ecological causes of the dodo’s extinction. 
• History of Papier Mache in Kashmir: 
  • Papier-mâché is a traditional handicraft in Kashmir that involves the use of paper pulp to create colorful, intricately decorated objects. 
  • Origin: 
    • The tradition of papier-mâché in Kashmir is said to have begun in the 15th century when Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin invited artists and craftsmen from Central Asia to teach the locals their skills.  
  • Objects: 
    • Papier-mâché objects in Kashmir can include vases, bowls, cups, boxes, trays, and lamp bases. They are often coated in lacquer to protect them from water and make them more durable.  
  • Designs: 
    • Popular designs include the Hazara pattern, which is meant to depict every type of flower, and the Gul-i-wilayat pattern, which features flowers, stems, foliage, and sometimes birds.  
  • Protection: 
    • The Government of India protects papier-mâché under the Geographic Indication Act of 1999.  

 Dodos 

 

• Scientific name: Raphus cucullatus 
• Characteristics: It had grayish feathers and a distinctive large, hooked beak. 
• Habitat: Endemic to the island of Mauritius and lived in forests. 
• Evolutionary History: It evolved to be flightless due to the absence of predators on Mauritius. 
  • The dodo likely had strong running abilities. 
• Extinction: Extinct in 1681. 

Efforts to Mitigate Risks Due to Glacial Lake

Why in News? 

The Jammu & Kashmir government has intensified efforts to monitor and mitigate the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in response to the growing threats posed by glacial lake overflows. 

 Key Points 

• Scientific Expeditions for Hazard Preparedness: 
  • The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction has initiated scientific expeditions to enhance preparedness and understanding of GLOF hazards. 
  • These expeditions are collecting valuable data on lake conditions, environmental factors, and potential GLOF risks. 
• Study of Glacial Lakes in Kishtwar District: 
  • The Department of Environmental Sciences at the Central University of Jammu, led a comprehensive study on three critical glacial lakes: Mundiksar, Hangu, and an unnamed lake. 
  • These lakes have been flagged as high-risk areas for GLOFs. 
  • Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted a detailed study of Bram Sar Lake in Kulgam district to assess its potential GLOF risks. 
• Kashmir Field Expeditions: 
  • In June 2024, the University of Kashmir’s Department of Geography & Disaster Management studied two additional glacial lakes in the region. 
  • The expeditions aim to formulate risk mitigation strategies and enhance early warning systems based on the data collected. 
  • Phase-Wise Implementation: 
    • Phase One: Focuses on identifying high-risk glacial lakes using assessments from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and Central Water Commission (CWC). 
    • Phase Two: Develops and implements specific mitigation measures, including lake-lowering techniques. 
  • Early Warning System (EWS): 
    • A fully functional GLOF Early Warning System will be established to enhance preparedness and ensure effective responses to potential GLOF events. 
    • In April 2024, the government constituted the Focused Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Monitoring Committee (FGMC) to implement targeted mitigation measures for glacial lake overflows. 

 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood 

• A GLOF is a type of flood occurring when water dammed by a glacier or a moraine is released suddenly. 
• When glaciers melt, the water in these glacial lakes accumulates behind loose naturally formed 'glacial/moraine dams' made of ice, sand, pebbles and ice residue.  
• Unlike earthen dams, the weak structure of the moraine dam leads to the abrupt failure of the moraine dam on top of the glacial lake, which holds a large volume of water.  
• A catastrophic failure of the dam can release the water over periods of minutes to days causing extreme downstream flooding.