Srinagar, July 15 -- There was a time when the changing seasons in Kashmir could almost be predicted by looking at its apple orchards. The arrival of spring brought blossoms that painted entire landscapes in shades of white and pink, while autumn transformed the Valley into a sea of crimson and gold as millions of apples ripened for harvest. For generations, this rhythm of nature shaped not only the agricultural calendar but also the hopes, livelihoods, and identity of countless Kashmiri families.

Today, that rhythm is becoming increasingly uncertain.

Climate change, once perceived as a distant global concern, has become a lived reality for orchardists across Kashmir. The Valley is witnessing warmer winters, erratic snowfall, prolonged ...