Alarm bells for J&K’s fragile environment

Like Jammu and Kashmir, our neighboring Himalayan region, Himachal Pradesh, is facing severe effects of ecological imbalance.

The situation has assumed horrendous dimensions in Himachal Pradesh that the Supreme Court of India has cautioned that the entire state may “vanish in thin air” if the situation does not change.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan were hearing a petition against an order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which declined to entertain a plea challenging the state’s June 2025 notification declaring certain areas as “green area”.

The bench observed that, “we want to impress upon the state government and Union of India that earning revenue is not everything.” “Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of the environment and ecology. If things proceed the way they are as on date, the day is not far when the entire state of HP may vanish in thin air from the map of the country. God forbid ....” it said.

The bench also noted that it is not right to blame only nature for the disaster in Himachal Pradesh. “Humans, not nature, are responsible for phenomena such as continuous landsliding of mountains and soil, landslides on roads, collapsing of houses and buildings, subsidence of road.”

The observations apply to eco-fragile Jammu and Kashmir too which has been witnessing erratic climate for the last several years. Owing to its topography, J&K is prone to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes and landslides. J&K falls under the high seismic Zones IV and V making it vulnerable to earthquakes. A 7.6 magnitude earthquake rattled J&K on October 8, 2005, causing massive destruction to structures. The region is reeling under the threat of warning by a prominent United States-based seismologist Roger Bilham. On the basis of his extensive studies, Bilham has warned that Kashmir is likely to be hit by an earthquake of the largest ever magnitude 9, but did not specify any timeframe..

Kashmir also witnessed devastating floods on September 7, 2014. However, no lessons have been learnt by floods and earthquakes. Flood plains continue to be encroached upon while haphazard constructions continue unabated in areas of Kashmir most prone to earthquakes.

J&K has been reeling under increasing temperatures causing prolonged heat waves. We have been witnessing dry and warmer winters for the last several years. This has led to decrease of snow cover and triggered rapid melting of glaciers.

J&K and Ladakh are home to one of the largest glaciers in the Hindu Kush region. Kolahoi, the largest glacier of Kashmir’s Jhelum Basin, is retreating rapidly due to a spurt in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Thajiwas, Hoksar, Nehnar, Shishram, and glaciers around Harmukh are melting fast. Scientific studies indicate that Kolahoi glacier is retreating rapidly due to a spurt in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Environmentalists blame unprecedented increases in temperature, deforestation, increasing human activities, constructions in eco-fragile zones and high levels of pollution caused by the emission of greenhouse gases by vehicles, brick kilns and cement plants for the retreating of glaciers in J&K.

In the name of roads and developmental projects, agricultural land, orchards and trees are being buried alive! Losing of green cover is having detrimental effects on J&K’s climate. We have mostly warmer temperatures round the year. This has caused rainfall deficit and reduced levels in our water bodies.

Illegal mining is devouring J&K’s rivers and streams. Haphazard mining has destroyed the natural hydrological system on rivers and streams. In blatant violation of norms, heavy machines are being used for excavation of boulders and sand causing extensive damage to flora and fauna of these water bodies.

In absence of regulation, our Karewas, which help in maintaining ecological balance, are being wantonly excavated for clay. Authorities have not taken any measures to safeguard Karewas which are treasure troves and repositories of geological and archeological treasures. Karewas are bearing the brunt of haphazard infrastructure development projected. Continuous excavacation of Karewas has led to extensive siltation of water bodies in Kashmir.

Kashmir’s tourist resorts mostly situated in eco-sensitive areas have witnessed massive damage to environments due to unregulated tourism. Most of the traditional tourist resorts have lost carrying capacity. Authorities are struggling to promote off-beat tourist destinations to lessen burden on major tourist resorts.

Considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir, river Jhelum is facing a serious ecological threat due to unabated pollution triggered by flow of sewage and dumping of garbage. Major water bodies especially Dal Lake, Wullar, Aanchar, Khushalsar and Gilsar are facing pollution, siltation and encroachments.

River Jhelum, which is considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir, as it is a major source of drinking water and irrigation, has too lost its carrying capacity. The river is facing serious ecological threat due to unabated pollution triggered by flow of sewage and dumping of garbage. Besides major water bodies especially Dal Lake, Wullar, Aanchar, Khushalsar and Gilsar are facing pollution, siltation and encroachments.

Ecologically important wetlands in the Jhelum floodplains like Hokersar, Bemina wetland, Narakara wetland, Batamaloo numbal, Rakh-e-arth, Anchar lake and Gilsar have been degraded due to rapid encroachment and urbanisation. It is shocking that 20 wetlands have vanished under urban colonies during the last five decades, particularly in the south of Srinagar.

Government must conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment before execution of developmental projects. It is high time for collaborative efforts between people and the government to safeguard our eco-fragile environment. We need to understand that our survival depends on the environment and need to act to save our natural resources!

Author is Executive Editor,

Greater Kashmir.