Layers of Silence ( The Karewas of Kashmir )

Directed by

Er. Abdul Rashid Bhat

The Kashmir valley is an oval-shaped basin, It is bounded by lofty and glacier-chiseled mountain chains of the Himalayas. It is an intermountain valley fill, comprising unconsolidated gravel sand and mud succession appearing as plateaus above the present plain of Jhelum and its tributaries. These plateau-like terraces are called ‘Karewas’ or ‘Vudra’ in the local language. Karewas are geological and archaeological treasures, an unnoticed heritage of Kashmir Valley. Whereas Karewas hold great importance for agriculture and horticulture, particularly for saffron, almond, and apple cultivation. These landforms also play a crucial role in environmental conservation, with Karewa plantations serving as biodiversity hubs, often referred to as deemed forests.”
However, human intervention, in the form of settlements and excavation is continuously stealing the natural charm of these landscapes at an alarming pace. People destroying these table lands at the cost of development and petty commerce, ignoring the geological and aesthetic significance of these formations.
The film traces Kashmir’s journey from an ancient lake to a cradle of biodiversity, civilization, spirituality, and agriculture. It highlights their vital role in sustaining saffron fields, orchards, and generations of livelihoods, while revealing the growing threat posed by degradation and unregulated excavation.
The protection of Karewas is crucial for our sustenance, as Kashmir’s landmass is shrinking due to rapid urbanization. We must save the earth and its natural resources so that our future generations have a safe and healthy environment. By destruction of Karewas we are committing a criminal act which will be written in the books of history and future generations will always curse us for this.
Blending science, history, culture, and environmental conservation, the film is both a celebration of Kashmir’s natural heritage and a powerful call to protect these irreplaceable landscapes before their silent stories are lost forever.