A Call for the J&K Government to Act

Kashmir, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and pristine natural resources, is facing a grave environmental crisis. The region’s lakes, waterways, wetlands, and forests, central to its ecological and cultural identity, are deteriorating at an alarming rate. If left unchecked, this decline threatens not only the environment but also the livelihoods of millions who depend on these resources. The Omar Abdullah government must prioritize environmental restoration as a cornerstone of its development agenda. A targeted investment in these critical ecosystems, with active coordination with the Central Government, will not only preserve Kashmir’s unique beauty but also ensure sustainable development and long-term economic growth.

Dal Lake, Wular Lake, and other iconic water bodies in Kashmir are rapidly shrinking due to unchecked urbanization, encroachment, and pollution. For instance, Wular Lake, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes, has lost a significant portion of its area due to siltation and human interference. These water bodies, which are vital for biodiversity, agriculture, and tourism, are under severe threat.

Wetlands in Kashmir, such as Hokersar and Shalabugh, are crucial for maintaining ecological balance, acting as natural water purifiers, flood buffers, and habitats for migratory birds. However, rampant encroachment, illegal construction, and drainage for agricultural purposes have caused significant degradation, diminishing their capacity to sustain biodiversity and regulate water flow.

Kashmir’s forests, which are vital for carbon sequestration, water retention, and preventing soil erosion, are being depleted at an alarming rate due to illegal logging, infrastructure development, and unregulated grazing. This deforestation contributes to increasing incidents of landslides, flash floods, and soil erosion, exacerbating the region’s vulnerability to climate change.

With increasing demand for water due to population growth and unplanned development, rivers and streams are being contaminated with untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. This pollution not only degrades water quality but also poses serious health risks to local communities.

The decline in natural resources has direct consequences for Kashmir’s economy, which heavily depends on tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. Clean lakes, healthy wetlands, and lush forests are the backbone of these industries, and their deterioration could lead to economic stagnation.

Restoring natural ecosystems will help Kashmir adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and frequent floods. Healthy ecosystems act as buffers, mitigating the effects of natural disasters and ensuring the region’s resilience.

Local communities depend on these natural resources for their livelihoods, including farming, fishing, and handicrafts. Protecting these resources will not only secure their economic future but also preserve the region’s cultural heritage, which is deeply intertwined with its natural environment.

Environmental conservation transcends political ideologies and presents a unique opportunity for constructive coordination between the Union Territory (UT) Government and the Central Government. It allows the Omar Abdullah government to build a framework for restoration that is collaborative, not confrontational, and rooted in common goals.

The UT government needs to invest in Lake and Waterway Restoration, launch large-scale dredging and distillation projects for major lakes and rivers to restore their original capacities. Introduce strict regulations to prevent encroachment and pollution of water bodies, encourage community participation in lake restoration projects to ensure sustainable outcomes.

It needs to protect and restore degraded wetlands by implementing the Ramsar Convention’s guidelines, banning illegal constructions and drainage activities in wetland areas, develop ecotourism projects that focus on birdwatching and wildlife conservation, providing sustainable income to local communities.

There is dire need to reforest and conserve forests, implement afforestation drives, particularly with indigenous tree species, restore degraded forest areas, strengthen forest management policies to curb illegal logging and overgrazing, encourage agroforestry practices to balance farming and forest conservation.

Any restoration plan must address water pollution, establish sewage treatment plants and ensure proper waste management in urban and rural areas, regulate the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to reduce agricultural runoff, and monitor and penalize industrial units discharging untreated waste into rivers and lakes.

The UT government can leverage the support of the Central Government to amplify its environmental restoration efforts. Since conservation is a non-controversial issue, the central government should focus on collaboration to achieve shared goals. The government can actively utilize funds under centrally sponsored schemes such as the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), National Wetland Conservation Program, and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Proposals for large-scale projects, such as the Wular Conservation Project, can be expedited with central funding and expertise.

The Kashmir government can leverage scientific and technical support and collaborate with central institutions like the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), National Green Tribunal (NGT), and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to conduct ecological assessments and monitor progress through satellite imagery and advanced technologies. It can engage with centrally funded research bodies to develop sustainable restoration models tailored to Kashmir’s specific needs.

The Kashmir government must ensure alignment of UT policies with national environmental regulations and frameworks to avoid duplication and maximize impact and foster partnerships with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for managing water quality and reducing industrial discharge into Kashmir’s water bodies. Strengthen disaster management systems by collaborating with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to prepare for climate-induced events such as floods and landslides, which are directly linked to environmental degradation. Work with the Ministry of Tourism to develop eco-sensitive tourism infrastructure that showcases Kashmir’s natural beauty while preserving its fragile ecosystems and jointly promote Kashmir as a model for sustainable tourism, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The Central Government has both financial and constitutional obligations to support environmental restoration in Jammu and Kashmir, including funding for the conservation of lakes, waterways, wetlands, forests, and other ecological assets. These obligations arise from various legal, policy, and administrative frameworks. Article 48A of the Indian Constitution (Directive Principles of State Policy) mandates both the Central and State Governments to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. Though not legally enforceable, it establishes a strong constitutional responsibility. The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly interpreted Article 21 to include the right to a clean environment, placing an obligation on both the Centre and the states to ensure environmental protection. The Environment Protection Act, 1986, Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 place obligations on the Centre to regulate and fund environmental conservation efforts.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has passed several orders for the conservation of Dal Lake, Wular Lake, and other Kashmir water bodies, requiring government intervention.

The state government can seek funding under existing schemes, while also pressing for increased allocations under Finance Commission grants, disaster response funds, and special environmental projects. Given the ecological significance of Kashmir and the impact of environmental degradation on tourism, agriculture, and livelihoods, the Centre has a clear duty to ensure adequate financial and policy support for restoration efforts.

The task of restoration may seem daunting, but it is not impossible. Several lakes and waterways around the world have undergone successful restoration efforts, demonstrating how scientific interventions, government policies, and community participation can rejuvenate degraded ecosystems. Here are some notable examples: The Thames River, United Kingdom, Lake Erie, North America (USA & Canada), Lake Biwa, Japan, Rhine River, Europe (Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland), Chesapeake Bay, USA, Lake Geneva, Switzerland & France, Singapore River and Marina Bay, Singapore, and Lake Vanern, Sweden.

The Omar Abdullah government has a historic opportunity to turn the tide for Kashmir’s environment. The central government can play a pivotal role by prioritizing investments in the restoration of lakes, waterways, wetlands, and forests and, in this regard, by collaborating with the Kashmir government to set an example of cooperative governance rooted in shared values. Environmental conservation, free from political confrontation, provides a unique chance to focus on the collective welfare of the people and the region.

The benefits of such efforts will be far-reaching, preserving Kashmir’s natural beauty, boosting its economy, and improving the quality of life for its residents. Failure to act now risks irreversible ecological damage, undermining the region’s future prosperity and stability. Through a unified approach, Kashmir can become a shining example of how collaborative environmental restoration can secure a sustainable future.

Mufti Showkat Farooqi,

Attorney at Law, New York