Kishtwar Jammu Kashmir Saffron Forest Honey

Kishtwar district in Jammu region produces forest honey and high-value medicinal herbs from its dense deodar and pine forest ecosystem. The Kishtwar high altitude plateau — Paddar — also grows saffron in small quantities. Forest beekeepers collect honey from Apis dorsata rock cliff colonies using bamboo torches. Kishtwar is known for its walnut orchards producing in-shell walnuts with light-coloured kernels. Cooperative forest-produce societies in Kishtwar organise collection and sale of wild mushrooms, fiddlehead fern, and dried forest fruits. J&K Forest Development Corporation buys honey and wild herbs at cooperative rates. Kishtwar is also the source of Kishtwar sapphire gemstones, mined from blue corundum deposits in Sumber valley by small mining cooperatives.