Hirra Azmat

Colour is at the heart of Kashmir’s textile traditions, especially for the world renowned Pashmina shawls and Kashmir silks. Yet producing these rich hues often comes with an environmental cost to ecosystems. india.mongabay.com/2026/04/resear… @skuast_kashmir @jkscientists @shyakh14

A new study finds that climate change could reduce the suitable habitat of the marsh orchid in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh over the next 50 years, my latest for @MongabayIndia Story link: india.mongabay.com/2026/02/climat… Image credits : Javaid M Dad

A new study finds that climate change could reduce the suitable habitat of the marsh orchid in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh over the next 50 years. @AzmatHirra reports. india.mongabay.com/2026/02/climat…

In my latest story for the @the_hindu, I write about how Kashmir scientists have developed wheat varieties to solve crop cycle issue. #Kashmir #Wheat #Crops #Agriculture thehindu.com/sci-tech/energ…

New rootstocks promise faster, higher apple yields for Kashmir farms, my latest for @the_hindu @icarindia @skuast_kashmir #Himalayas #Apples #Rootstock #Highdensity thehindu.com/sci-tech/agric…

A new study finds that climate change could reduce the suitable habitat of the marsh orchid in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh over the next 50 years, my latest for @MongabayIndia @ecoirfan @Khuroo_Kashmir @jkscientists india.mongabay.com/2026/02/climat…

My latest story for @MongabayIndia explores how buckwheat, a high altitude plant that adapts well to poor soil conditions and short growing seasons, is regaining attention for its health benefits and overall resilience in a changing climate. india.mongabay.com/2026/01/buckwh…

How Kashmir’s prized aromatic rice was saved from extinction scroll.in/article/108943…

Thanks @scroll_in for sharing my story on the rising snow droughts in Hindu Kush Himalayas.

In my latest story for @MongabayIndia, I report on how scientists helped revive the Kashmir’s traditional Mushk Budji rice and what it means for farmers who had almost given up on it. #Kashmir #Rice #Agriculture #Himalayas india.mongabay.com/2025/12/saving…

A new study which used satellite data finds the frequent occurrence of snow droughts and their hotspots across 11 major river basins in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, and a decline in snow cover days. @AzmatHirra reports. india.mongabay.com/2025/12/snow-d…

In my latest story for @MongabayIndia, I report on how snow droughts are increasing in Hindu Kush Himalayas, threatening the water security for nearly two billion people. #Himalayas #Snow #Watersecurity india.mongabay.com/2025/12/snow-d…

When hardships rise, communities rise higher. To revive the drying pastures and protect their livelihoods, the nomadic communties are building ponds in high-altitude meadows by harvesting rain water, my latest for @MongabayIndia #Himalayas #Pastoralism india.mongabay.com/2025/11/as-spr…

Got the flu shot but still got sick? Still confused on the the difference between Trivalent and Tetravalent vaccine and what actually protects you ? Here's all what you need to know.... #Kashmir #winter #flu #vaccine

KO SPECIAL REPORT | "Deaths linked to cough syrups in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have failed to slow the feverish winter buying of these medicines in Kashmir." @AzmatHirra reports kashmirobserver.net/2025/10/08/kas…

In my latest story for @MongabayIndia, I explore how Wild edible plants in Ladakh’s cold desert provide nutrition, medicine, and cultural continuity while thriving in harsh, high-altitude ecosystems. india.mongabay.com/2025/10/wild-w…

"Doctors and students rowed across Dal Lake before gathering at SKIMS to confront the valley’s rising epidemic of cardiac disease among the young." kashmirobserver.net/2025/09/29/flo…

Study identifies the most dangerous locations along NH-44 and suggests solutions - re-profiling slopes, rock bolting & better drainage. This makes it a useful guide for engineers working on ground, says @mahjoorlone, an earth scientist @NorthumbriaUni india.mongabay.com/2025/09/study-…

Scientists in Kashmir are experimenting with speed breeding to meet the growing food demand amid environmental stressors, my latest for @MongabayIndia @irri @irri_sarc @skuast_kashmir #Crops #agriculturetechnology india.mongabay.com/2025/09/scient…

Experts say that overgrazing, land use change, deforestation and climate impacts such as erratic weather, contribute to fodder shortage in the Kashmir region. Hirra Azmat reports. india.mongabay.com/2025/08/errati…