Wchestnut, known as go away in Kashmir, aquatic vegetables grow in Lake Wular, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. Grass-like sedge is in great demand in autumn in Kashmir. For hundreds of families living near the lake in Bandipora district of north Kashmir, it is one of the major sources of income this season.
The harvest usually starts in late September when people from the areas around the lake, men and women, take part in the tedious task of extracting the chestnuts.
They entered the lake shikaras and other boats to begin the hard work, spend a few hours in the lake to collect chestnuts. The plants have extremely sharp spines with barbs that can cause serious injury if stepped on. Villagers make shoes out of long planks to enter the marshy areas of the lake.
Many prefer to sell the vegetables on the day of harvest, while others take them home to be dried and ground to get a better price.
The edible kernel, hidden under a hard outer shell, is peeled, dried, and ground into flour. People also use the dried outer shells as fuel in fire bowls known as Mr in the winter.
Water chestnuts and lotus stems are eaten in bowls during Navaratri, especially when fasting traditions may not allow the use of grains. They are easily digested and provide energy, which is important when fasting. When peeled, the chestnut reveals a white flesh that is nutritious, juicy and has a sweet taste.
Trade in chestnut water is mainly carried out by the poor community and is not regulated or registered by the government. Despite the challenges, it remains an important part of the lake’s economic activity, apart from tourism and fishing.
Over the years, the dry climate and the expansion of wetlands around the lake has caused a decline in the production of water chestnuts and has had a negative impact on survival.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
Hidden Gems: Villagers churn the water in boats to separate floating chestnut stems from other leaves and debris that clog the seawater.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
Good harvest: Women extract water chestnuts from Wular Lake in Bandipora district of north Kashmir.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
Valuable plant: Grass-like sedge is needed in autumn.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
A collective effort: Women wash the harvest on the shore of the lake.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
Difficult to peel: The marble-sized fruit must be crushed and dried for a clean texture.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
A long process: A woman dries chestnuts on a clay stove.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
The fruit of labor: The outer shell emerges in trained hands.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
Powdery form: The dry product is ground to obtain flour.
Photo: IMRAN NISSAR
Precautions: A woman uses shoes made of large wooden planks to protect her feet from the sharp spines of water chestnut plants as she walks through the swamp to collect vegetables.
Published – October 13, 2024 08:04 am IST