People in hilly areas use traditional practices to fight winter cold amid rising costs

Umar Raina
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30 Dec 2025

Srinagar, Dec 30: As snowfall grips the hilly regions of Kashmir, residents, especially women, continue to rely on age-old traditions to combat the harsh winter cold, reflecting resilience and self-reliance amid rising living costs. In several mountainous villages in Ganderbal Including Gund, Gagangir, Rayil, Rezan, Kullan, women are seen collecting and storing small twigs of firewood locally known as balan. These twigs are later used in kangris, the traditional fire pots, to keep warm during intense cold spells when temperatures plunge, and snowfall disrupts daily life. Local elders said that despite the availability of modern heating options such as electric heaters and gas bukharis, people in these remote areas have consciously preserved traditional methods. “Modern heating appliances may offer convenience, but they can also be risky and sometimes even fatal. Our traditional practices are safer and more dependable,” said an elderly resident. Another local elder said that women also prepare for the winter months well in advance by collecting wild vegetables during spring. “These vegetables are cleaned, dried naturally, and stored for winter use. They are free from adulteration and are consumed during snowfall when fresh supplies are scarce,” he said. He added that preparation for winter begins as early as September, when women start collecting firewood twigs to ensure uninterrupted warmth during prolonged power outages. “Even if electricity fails, people here are already prepared,” he said. Residents said that rising inflation has further strengthened the need to uphold these traditions, as electricity and gas have become increasingly expensive. “In these difficult economic times, preserving old practices helps poor families survive the winter with dignity and some relief,” an elder man added. The continued use of traditional methods highlights how Kashmir’s hilly communities balance heritage with necessity, ensuring warmth and sustenance during one of the harshest winters in the region.