Porcupines in Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly entering saffron fields due to loss of their natural habitats, causing significant damage to the prized crop. Saffron farmers in the Kashmir Valley report a rise in the population of the protected Indian crested porcupine, exacerbated by the reduction in forest cover. The region, known for producing high-quality saffron, is facing a decline in production as porcupines destroy the saffron corms. Despite efforts by farmers and recommendations from the National Saffron Mission, no effective solution has been found to control the porcupine threat. The situation is further complicated by the legal protection of the porcupines under the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.

The Himalayas, formed by tectonic plate movements, are highly prone to earthquakes. Climate change exacerbates this risk by affecting weather patterns, glacial melt, and mountain slope stability. Research indicates a rise in seismic activity in the region, with potential links to climate change through processes like glacial isostatic adjustment and monsoon-induced pressure changes. Human activities, such as the construction of hydropower dams, also contribute to seismic risks. Complex disasters, where one event triggers another, are becoming more likely due to climate change, increasing the potential for massive damage and complicating relief efforts.

Climate change and hydropower development in the Himalayas are contributing to an increase in complex disasters, such as earthquakes triggering landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The Chenab valley in Jammu is experiencing reservoir-induced seismicity, with 13 earthquakes recorded in less than five days in August 2022. Glacial melt is accelerating due to rising temperatures and dark pollutants, leading to the formation of unstable glacial lakes. Experts warn that climate change is increasing slope instability, making the region more prone to rockfalls and landslides, which could lead to more complex disasters and hinder relief efforts, as observed during the Kashmir earthquake in 2005.

The National Crime Records Bureau's report for 2020 indicates a 15% increase in reported crimes in Jammu and Kashmir, with a nationwide surge of 28%. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Delhi were highlighted as the most crime-infested areas, while Sikkim, Manipur, and Nagaland had the lowest rates. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, logged 29,314 criminal cases, with notable increases in crimes against women and a 25% rise in murder incidents. The report also showed a significant rise in domestic violence during the pandemic. The NCRB data does not account for unreported cases. A senior police officer suggested that the lockdown due to COVID-19 contributed to the crime rate increase. Experts fear that with economic challenges and rising communal tensions, crime rates in India may continue to climb, citing poverty, peer pressure, drugs, politics, religion, family conditions, and unemployment as contributing factors.

The article by Abrar A. Mattoo discusses the severe impact of Covid-19 on the education system in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where over 2.5 million children have been out of school for 25 months. The pandemic has led to a global loss of 1.8 trillion hours of in-class learning, as reported by UNICEF. The article highlights the challenges faced by students in J&K due to prolonged school closures, initially triggered by the abrogation of the region's special status and then exacerbated by the pandemic. Parents and educators express concerns over the reliance on online learning, which they believe is inadequate for holistic child development and has led to increased screen time and reduced physical activity. The article also touches on the government's decision to reopen colleges and universities for vaccinated students, while the status of primary schools remains uncertain.