Srinagar, Feb 16 : Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday declared the State Government''s intentions to create jobs in the private sector through a fast track recruitment process.

Describing unemployment as the "biggest challenge" before the state, Rather assured that recruitment agencies have also been told to hire people in government departments.

He advised job seekers not to run after government jobs only as the sector has a "limited absorption capacity".

Srinagar, Feb 13 : The Wildlife Department in Kashmir has taken all the measures to save the wetlands as deposition of silt and, human encroachment have led to drop in water levels and increase in pollution level.

The State of Jammu and Kashmir has nineteen wetlands, with nine of them in Kashmir Valley.

Experts predict that these wetlands will vanish in about seven years if the authorities continue to neglect them.

Udhampur/Jammu, Feb 13 : The Indian Air Force (IAF) dropped food articles in Kashmir''s Doda and Kishtwar districts where road connectivity has snapped after heavy rain washed off parts of a crucial highway last week.

"They are facing shortage of essential commodities. What the State Government is supplying, we will take there safely. And whatever the commodities they need, we will try to get it for them," said Wing Commander Pawan Sharma, an IAF officer at the Udhampur Air Force Base.

Patnitop (J-K)/Nainital/New Delhi, Feb 12: The higher reaches of North India have received heavy snowfall in recent days, and this is attracting hordes of tourists from the plains.

Snowfall at several places, including in Nainital, is attracting tourists in large numbers.

It has brought a smile on the faces of tourists who are enjoying the weather after the region was hit by a dry spell.

"It is a very nice feeling, I am enjoying," said Raveena, a tourist.

Srinagar, Feb 11: Srinagar observed a shutdown on Wednesday in response to a call by separatists to mark the 25th anniversary of the hanging of separatist leader Maqbool Bhat in a Delhi jail.

The city wore a deserted look in response to the shutdown in Kashmir valley called by the Hurriyat Conference.

The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in a statement called Maqbool Bhat "the pioneer of the ongoing freedom struggle of Kashmir."

"People in Kashmir remember Maqbool Bhat today. The separatists called for a shutdown today and people are supporting it fully," said Ghulam Rasool Wani, a resident.

Srinagar, Feb. 10 : Protestors demanding the removal of a paramilitary camp from their area clashed with security forces here on Tuesday.

The protestors alleged that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed in Maisum area had beaten the shopkeepers and ransacked their shops.

Police had to resort to ''lathi charge'' and tear smoke shells at the protestors who prolonged their attacks on the set-ups.

A number of locals as well as the security personnel were injured in the incident.