The Kashmir region depends on neighbouring areas for its vegetable supply. Srinagar city, which earlier was self sufficient, now imports vegetables from surrounding rural areas, and neighbouring Punjab and Himachal.
But traditional and organic farming in the back waters of Dal Lake, which suffices nearly 40% of the vegetable requirement of the city, is facing a crises of sorts.
While the practice is traditionally organic, farmers are moving towards chemical methods which can not only damage the aquatic life, but also make the produce unhealthy.