Current Terrorism Outlook for the Region

• The Government has instituted a robust security and intelligence grid along with proactive operations against terrorists.
• Therefore, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has improved substantially and there has been a significant decline in terrorist incidents and infiltration of terrorists from across the border. The details are as below:

 

Description	2018	2019	2020	2021
Estimated net infiltration	143	138	51	34
Number of terrorist incidents	417	255	244	229
Terrorists killed	257	157	221	180

Evolving and Emerging Counter-terrorism (CT) Challenges

At the same time, the region faces new challenges as Pakistan-backed elements persist in their efforts to keep the pot boiling.

Radicalisation and Terrorist Recruitment

• While security forces have broadly controlled the situation, a major concern for them is the uptick in local terrorist recruitment, primarily from the four police districts of south Kashmir—Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Awantipora.
• A significant contributor to this local recruitment is the radicalisation of the local youth, which has emerged as the most critical security challenge. Several factors aid the radicalisation process, including peer pressure, victimhood feelings, and self-radicalisation enabled by the Salafi and Wahhabi propaganda.
• It is not a surprise that Kashmir Valley has seen a virtual doubling of religious seminaries in the past few years. Furthermore, cyberspace, including the dark web and social media platforms, amplifies this religious propaganda, accelerating radicalisation.
• Countering this radicalisation process is a work in progress, and security forces have launched multiple initiatives to reverse the trend.
• For instance, the Indian Army’s ‘Sahi Raasta initiative’ aims to bring the youth on the right track through national integration tours, sports training programmes and festivals, and skill development workshops. The JKP, too, implements a similar initiative.

Hybrid terrorists and virtual terrorist outfits

• With increased CI ops and neutralisation of many active militants, terrorist masterminds have now changed their strategy to obfuscate their activities.
• To commit violence, they are now using terrorist sympathisers. Most of them have no criminal records and are therefore likely to escape police scrutiny.
• These ‘hybrid terrorists’ are the ones who are primarily responsible for the recent acts of targeted killings in and around Srinagar. In addition, security forces have noted the proliferation of virtual terrorist groups like the Jammu Kashmir Ghaznavi Force and The Resistance Front, which are nothing but front organisations for LeT and other terrorist outfits or organisations.
• In response, the JKP is strengthening its human and technical intelligence capabilities. This is proving helpful in apprehending these hybrid terrorists.

Pakistan’s information warfare

• Since August 2019, ISI’s disinformation machinery has gone into overdrive on social media platforms with anti-India propaganda.
• With Pakistan’s material and financial support to anti-India terrorist groups like LeT and JeM coming under the global scanner, the ISI has sought to project Kashmir’s militancy as ‘indigenous resistance’.
• In addition, it has sought to label India as a major human rights violator. This propaganda aims to draw attention to Kashmir and gain international sympathy.
• This information warfare campaign by Pakistan is a significant challenge because it exploits any minor incident to create a narrative of falsehood against India and the security forces.
• This has the potential to undo the gains made post-August 2019.
• Countering these narratives will require a comprehensive national effort anchored in India’s democratic credentials and calling out Pakistan’s litany of lies. Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps is implementing a counter-response, but its efforts need national amplification.

Concluding remarks

• It is clear that despite a flux regional security environment and Pakistan’s attempts to stir trouble, Kashmir’s security situation has remained remarkably calm and stable.
• The security forces have decisively turned the tables against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and its proxies.
• To maintain this advantage, other government agencies will need to carry the baton forward to deliver better governance and establish the writ of the sovereign.

The Government has taken several steps to boost the development of J&K. Some of these measures are:

• The progress of projects being implemented in the Union Territory (UT) of J&K under the Prime Minister’s Development Package-2015 has been accelerated.
• 53 projects pertaining to 15 Ministries are being implemented at a cost of Rs. 58,477 crore, in various sectors such as Roads, Power, Health, Education, Tourism, Agriculture, Skill Development etc., out of which 25 projects have been completed/substantially completed.
• A New Central Sector Scheme has been notified on 19/02/2021 for the Industrial Development of the UT of J&K, with an outlay of Rs. 28,400 crore, which is likely to provide employment to over 4.5 lakh people while boosting the industrial development of J&K.
• The Government of J&K has approved a business revival package of Rs. 1,352.99 crore on 25th September, 2020.
• Under languishing projects programme, 1,193 projects worth Rs.1,984 crore were completed, including 5 projects which were incomplete for more than 20 years, 15 projects for more than 15 years and 165 projects for more than 10 years.
• J&K has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) under Swachh Bharat Mission.
• 100 percent saturation has been achieved in 17 Individual beneficiary centric schemes, including Saubhagya, Ujala, Ujjwala and Indradhanush schemes.
• During the year 2020-21, 1,289 road construction works were completed at a cost of Rs.1,638 crore. The construction work of 14,500 km of roads has been completed so far under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, which has connected about 2,000 places.
• Work has been taken up for setting up of one All India Institute of Medical Sciences each in J&K Divisions at a cost of Rs. 2,000 crore each, besides 7 other medical colleges in the UT of J&K.
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu has been made functional.
• 21 hydropower projects with an aggregate capacity of 5,186 MW have been taken up for development in the next five years.
• An international flight from Srinagar to Sharjah has been started on 23.10.2021. In addition, night flights from Jammu and Srinagar have also been started.
• The scope of High Density Plantation Scheme for Apple has been expanded to include Mango, Litchi, Cherry, Walnut etc.
• Kashmiri Saffron has been given the Geographical Indication(GI) tag.
• Under fast-track recruitment, 26,330 posts have been identified in various departments in the UT of J&K and taken up for recruitment. Presently selection process has been completed with respect to 11,324 posts.

Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir

The Government of India has notified the New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) on 19/02/2021 to attract capital investments in J&K with a financial outlay of Rs 28,400 crore (Upto the year 2037).

The following incentives would be available under the scheme:

• Capital Investment Incentive: at the rate of 30% in Zone A and 50% in Zone B on investment made in Plant & Machinery (in manufacturing) or construction of building and other durable physical assets(in service sector) is available. Units with investment upto Rs. 50 crore will be eligible to avail this incentive. Maximum limit of incentive is Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in Zone A & Zone B respectively
• Capital Interest subvention: At the annual rate of 6% for maximum 7 years on loan amount up to Rs. 500 crore for investment in plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction of building and all other durable physical assets(in the service sector).
• GST Linked Incentive: 300% of the eligible value of actual investment made in plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction in building and all other durable physical assets(in service sector) for 10 years. The amount of incentive in a financial year will not exceed one-tenth of the total eligible amount of incentive.
• Working Capital Interest Incentive: All existing units at the annual rate of 5% for maximum 5 years. Maximum limit of incentive is Rs 1 crore.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Scheme is made attractive for both smaller and larger units. Smaller units with an investment in plant & machinery upto Rs. 50 crore will get a capital incentive upto Rs. 7.5 crore and get capital interest subvention at the rate of  6% for maximum 7 years
• The scheme aims to take industrial development to the block level in UT of J&K, which is first time in any Industrial Incentive Scheme of the Government of India and attempts for a more sustained and balanced industrial growth in the entire UT
• Scheme has been simplified on the lines of ease of doing business by bringing one major incentive- GST Linked Incentive- that will ensure less compliance burden without compromising on transparency.
• Scheme envisages greater role of the UT of J&K in registration and implementation of the scheme while having proper checks and balances by having an independent audit agency before the claims are approved
• It is not a reimbursement or refund of GST but gross GST is used to measure eligibility for industrial incentive to offset the disadvantages that the UT of J&K face
• Earlier schemes though offered a plethora of incentives. However, the overall financial outflow was much lesser than the new scheme.

Major Impact and employment generation potential:

• Scheme is to bring about radical transformation in the existing industrial ecosystem of J&K with emphasis on job creation, skill development and sustainable development by attracting new investment and nurturing the existing ones, thereby enabling J&K to compete nationally with other leading industrially developed States/UTs of the country.
• It is anticipated that the proposed scheme is likely to attract unprecedented investment and give direct and indirect employment to about 4.5 lakh persons. Additionally, because of the working capital interest subvention the scheme is likely to give indirect support to about 35,000 persons.

Expenditure involved:

The financial outlay of the proposed scheme is Rs.28,400 crore for the scheme period 2020-21 to 2036-37. So far, the amount disbursed under various special package schemes is Rs. 1,123.84 crore.

News

The Union Ministry of Science and Technology initiated the Purple or Lavender Revolution through the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Aroma Mission.

The revolution as well as the mission aimed to increase lavender planting in Jammu and Kashmir.

Regions of Lavender farming

• Doda in Jammu and Kashmir is the birthplace of India’s Purple Revolution.
• Lavender farming is done in practically all of Jammu & Kashmir’s 20 districts.
• Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Srinagar, Pulwama, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Baramulla districts, in particular, have made significant headway in this direction.

What is the Aroma Mission?

• The CSIR Aroma Mission aims to bring about transformational change in the aroma sector by implementing targeted interventions in agricultural, processing, and product development in order to boost the aroma industry’s growth and rural employment.
• The mission will encourage the development of aromatic crops for the production of essential oils, which are in high demand in the aroma sector.
• Within the ambit of this mission, it is anticipated that Indian farmers and the aroma business will be able to become worldwide leaders in the production and export of various essential oils in the menthol mint pattern.
• Aroma Mission is drawing entrepreneurs and farmers from all across the country.
• CSIR assisted in the cultivation of 6000 hectares of land in 46 Aspirational districts across the country during Phase I. In addition, almost 44,000 employees were trained. The CSIR has started Phase-II of the Aroma Mission, which will include over 45,000 skilled human resources and help over 75,000 farming families.

How is it contributing to start ups?

• Aroma/lavender cultivation or the Purple revolution has become a popular agricultural startup option. It has increased rural farmer employment, sparked entrepreneurship in the production of aromatic oils and other aromatic products, and reduced imports of essential and aromatic oils.
• According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Aroma Mission of the CSIR is cultivating essential medicinal and aromatic plants on 6,000 hectares of land.
• In addition, it has created 10 to 12 lakh man-days of rural employment and produced more than 500 tonnes of essential oil worth Rs. 60 crores in the last two years.

Why specifically Lavender?

• Lavender cultivation as a new fragrance crop is quickly catching on in the Kashmir Himalayas.
• Lavender is a huge sensation in the perfume industry all around the world. Previously, India did not grow a lot of lavender. Only in the last several years has the CSIR begun to expand lavender farming.
• The aromatic oil produced from the blossoms can fetch upwards of Rs 10,000 per kilogramme.
• The lavender plant has recently been reintroduced to India as a naturalised species. It’s a tough plant that can thrive in poor soil. In addition, there are pests and diseases that are resistant. It produces lavender oil after the third year of growth and can last for up to two decades because it is a hardy perennial.
• This fast developing high-value crop also provides an opportunity for Kashmir’s holistic development by providing gainful work to the country’s most disadvantaged educated unemployed youth.

In September 2022, the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), located in Hanle near Leh in Ladakh, was designated as India’s first dark-sky Reserve.

What is a Dark Sky Reserve?

• A Dark Sky Reserve is public or private land with a distinguished nocturnal environment and starry nights that has been developed responsibly to prevent light pollution.
• These reserves “consist of a core area meeting minimum criteria for sky quality and natural darkness, and a peripheral area that supports dark sky preservation in the core.”
• These reserves, are formed through a “partnership of multiple land managers who have recognized the value of the natural night-time environment through regulations and long-term planning”.
• Between 2001 and January 2022, there have been 195 sites recognised as International Dark Sky Places globally.

Process to designate a ‘Dark Sky Reserve’

• Individuals or groups can nominate a site for certification to the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA).
• There are five designated categories, namely International Dark Sky parks, communities, reserves, sanctuaries and Urban Night Sky Places.
• The certification process is similar to that of a site being awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag or getting recognised as a Biosphere Reserve.
• The IDSA considers a piece of land suitable for dark sky place only if
• it is either publicly or privately owned;
• it is accessible to the public partially or entirely during the year;
• the land is legally protected for scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment purposes;
• the core area of the land provides an exceptional dark sky resource relative to the communities and cities that surround it and
• the land offers prescribed night sky brightness either for a reserve, park or sanctuary.

Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR)

• The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) will come up within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), located in Hanle near Leh in Ladakh, India, has one of the world’s highest located sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes.
• It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.
• It is currently the tenth highest optical telescope in the world, situated at an elevation of 4,500 meters.

Who is developing India’s first Dark Sky Reserve?

• The Ladakh Union Territory administration is leading the efforts in establishing the country’s first Dark Sky Reserve.
• The Department of Science and Technology and experts from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, are providing scientific and technological support in developing this first-of-its-kind facility. The IIA already manages the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) complex at Hanle, Ladakh.
• The formal decision to set up this Dark Sky Reserve was made through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between officials from the IIA, Bengaluru, the Ladakh UT and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in June 2022.

Why was Ladakh chosen for the project?

• Ladakh is a unique cold desert located about 3,000 metres above sea level with high mountainous terrains. Long and harsh winters with minimum temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celcius make large parts of the UT highly inhabitable.
• This aridity, limited vegetation, high elevation and large areas with sparse populations – all make it the perfect setting for long-term astronomical observatories and dark sky places.
• But the primary objective of the proposed Dark Sky Reserve is to promote astronomy tourism in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner. Scientific methods will be used here to preserve the night sky from ever-increasing light pollution.
• With metros, cities and peripheral areas experiencing light pollution and remaining constantly lit up, there are diminishing areas that offer a view of clear skies on cloudless nights.

International Dark-Sky Association

• The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a United States-based non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 by astronomer founders David Crawford and Tim Hunter.
• The mission of the IDA is “to preserve and protect the night time environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting.”
• Light pollution is the result of outdoor lighting that is not properly shielded, allowing light shine into the eyes and night sky. Direct light that shines into the eyes is called glare, and light directed into the night sky above the horizon causes skyglow.
• Lighting can also cause light trespass when it enters areas where unwanted (e.g. a neighbor’s yard and windows).

Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launched the Jammu & Kashmir’s Film Policy-2021. Some of its key features are as follows:

• A simple process for grant of permissions through a single-window mechanism to the production houses for film making in Jammu & Kashmir.
• The single-window mechanism shall be headed by the Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Film Development Council (JKFDC). Film makers shall have to apply online through the J&K Single Window portal jkfilm.jk.gov.in
• The chairman shall grant approval/rejection/approval with conditions to the film makers within shortest possible time (2 to 4 weeks of filing of complete application on the single window portal). A complete directory of all the locations available for shooting in J&K shall be hosted on the Single Window Portal to facilitate the film makers.
• The final permission so accorded shall contain the details of Nodal Administrative Officer and Nodal Security Officer. Nodal Security Officer shall be an officer from the Police Department, who shall be responsible for facilitating the film shooting in matters related to security and police.
• Appropriate security and safety arrangements would be made free of cost to enable the filmmakers to complete shooting.
• J&K film policy offers subsidy for shooting first, second and third film, subsidy for film produced by award-winning producer director, subsidy for TV shows, web series, original shows of OTT and documentary.
• If the filmmaker is giving work opportunity to the local artists of J&K, then an additional subsidy shall be provided. This additional subsidy shall be a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh for a film with cast of minimum 5 Primary local artists of J&K
• The films produced, to patronize the feeling of “One Nation, Best Nation” (Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat), and on certain other themes as decided by JKFDC, will also be given subsidy.
• Government of Jammu & Kashmir will also contact film makers and eminent film personalities to act as Brand Ambassadors of Jammu & Kashmir for film tourism in the UT
• Producers and their crew will have priority booking privilege in getting accommodation. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir will facilitate the providing of airstrips and its air resources for outdoor shooting of the film in the UT at such rates as may be fixed by JKFDC, through the mechanism of Single Window Clearance
• These incentives are for 5 years. After the 5th year the Jammu & Kashmir Film Development Council will decide whether to continue with the incentives or not.
• The Government of Jammu & Kashmir will promote the setting up of film studios and processing labs, until a fully active film city is established in Jammu & Kashmir.
• The Government of Jammu & Kashmir shall encourage and incentivize owners to reopen closed cinema halls. The Government of J&K shall encourage the owners of the existing Cinema Halls to create modern amenities by way of various incentives. All the incentives to such Units shall be governed under the provisions of J&K Industrial Policy 2021.

About

• Ladakh, located at the northernmost part of India, is the largest and second least populous union territory and was formed on October 31, 2019.
• The diverse topology, with high-altitude cold desert located in the Great Himalayas, and picturesque locations make it a favoured destination among domestic and foreign tourists.
• The Pangong Tso Lake and world’s highest motorable road, Khardongla (18,350 feet), are the key tourist attractions for all tourists.
• Ladakh has ~320 clear sunny days and receives an average daily global solar radiation of 2022 kWh/m2/annum; these factors have made Ladakh a favourable spot for solar power generation in India. Also, abundance of wind resource due to valley terrain landform creates a potential for harnessing wind energy in Ladakh.

Recent initiatives in Ladakh

• In November 2021, Minister of Power, New and Renewable energy Mr. Raj Kumar Singh stated that Ladakh will provide additional 20,000 acres of land to set up a new 10 Gigawatt (GW) energy park.
• In January 2021, the central government and the Central Water Commission (CWC) sanctioned eight hydropower projects of 144 MW on the Indus river and its tributaries in Ladakh. These projects will be developed in the districts of Leh and Kargil in compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
• In June 2020, the government announced its plan to achieve 100% telecom connectivity in all parts of Ladakh. The project will be executed by the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), using the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
• Also, in February 2020, Bharti Airtel rolled out its 4G and 2G networks in 26 villages and became the first operator to bring mobile broadband connectivity to these villages in the high terrain region.
• In January 2020, a MoU was signed between NITI Aayog and UT administration of Ladakh to develop a strategic plan and provide support to specific projects, especially tourism, solar energy and others, which will be under the public-private partnership mode.
• Under this MoU, NITI Aayog will be supporting the UT’s administration through its key initiative ‘Development Support Services to States for Infrastructure Projects (D3S-i)’.
• To provide grid connectivity to the far-flung villages of Ladakh, the central government approved intra-state transmission project at a revised estimated cost of Rs. 1,309.71 crore (US$ 179.51 million) in May 2021.
• In October 2021, BRO announced five major road infrastructure projects to boost connectivity in a Ladakh.
• In August 2021, BRO constructed the highest motorable road in Eastern Ladakh at 19,300 ft. to boost the socio-economic condition and promote tourism in the union territory.
• In June 2021, Minister of Defence Mr. Raj Nath Singh virtually inaugurated 11 bridges in Ladakh to boost border connectivity in the union territory.
• In July 2021, the Union Cabinet approved establishment of an Integrated Multipurpose Corporation in Ladakh to ensure socio-economic development of the union territory.
• In June 2021, Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) signed an agreement with the Administration of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh to implement energy-efficient programmes and solar power projects for clean & efficient energy and make the UT carbon neutral.
• In June 2021, CESL signed an MoU with the Union Territory of Ladakh to expand its decentralised solar portfolio in the UT.
• To make Leh self-sufficient in power, Ladakh, in collaboration with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), initiated a carbon- neutral initiative for implementation of 50 MW solar storage plant in the UT.
• In April 2021, a centre of excellence and wellness was established by the Indian Army in collaboration with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to guide the youth of Ladakh for one year in preparing them for various medical and engineering examinations.
• In June 2021, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) announced to implement Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) in the Union Territory of Ladakh and operationalise the formerly sanctioned 10 VDVK clusters.

Key Sectors

• In Ladakh, ~33% of the total land is cultivated under agricultural activities with production of ~100,000 quintal per annum of food grains, which include key crops such as wheat, barley and rice produced across the Indus, Zanskar and Shyok river basins.
• In Ladakh, tourism is one of the key areas that plays a vital role in generating revenue, jobs and overall growth of regions. Overall tourist arrival in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh in 2019 stood at 279,937. Total tourist arrivals to the UT reached 304,077 in 2021, out of which 303,023 were domestic tourists and 1,054 were foreign tourists.
• In November 2020, Ladakh rolled out its first tourism incentive policy with focus on ensuring equitable and sustainable development of all regions in the union territory.
• As of August 2022, Ladakh (includes Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) had an installed power capacity of 3,511.61 MW.
• In October 2020, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and UT Administration of Ladakh signed an MoU to conduct a benchmark survey with a view to promote dairying and rural livelihoods in Ladakh.
• On April 20, 2020, the Ministry of Tourism conducted its 5th webinar on the rich heritage of Ladakh titled ‘Ladakh: Explore the Unexplored’ under ‘DekhoApnaDesh’ webinar series.
• Ladakh produces ~50% surplus production of milk, which has a potential to process/export and generate revenue for the local producers.