1.75 QUINTALS OF SAFFRON CORMS SEIZED IN PAMPORE, MOVEMENT OUTSIDE J&K BANNED

Srinagar: Police have seized around 1.75 quintals of saffron corms during checking in Pampore, south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said.The Pampore Police seizure was made at a checkpoint established by Police Station Pampore, amid restrictions on the sale and movement of Kashmiri saffron corms outside Jammu and Kashmir.Agriculture Officer Ashiq Hussain said the seized saffron planting material belonged to Kashmir, particularly the Pampore saffron-growing belt. The corms are being handed over to the Agriculture Department for legal formalities and further action.Officials stressed that preventing the movement of saffron corms outside J&K is necessary to maintain adequate planting material for local saffron cultivation and protect Kashmir’s traditional saffron crop.The authorities said uncontrolled movement of Kashmir saffron planting material could lead to shortages and affect efforts to preserve the region’s renowned Pampore saffron industry.