Srinagar, April 14 -- Srinagar- Saffron growers in South Kashmir's Pampore are raising alarm over extensive damage to their fields caused by porcupines, with farmers warning that the region's prized crop faces a serious threat if immediate action is not taken.

The crisis has spread across multiple saffron-growing areas, including Patalbagh, Chandhara, Khonibal, and Letapora, where farmers say the animals are repeatedly destroying crops during night hours.

The development is significant as Pampore's saffron, often referred to as Kashmir's "red gold," represents both a key source of livelihood and a cultural symbol of the region.

Farmers said porcupines dig into fields and consume saffron seeds, causing widespread damage that affects fut...