Environmental Challenges in J&K

Environmental degradation is mostly a result of human activities such as deforestation, vehicular pollution, and industrialization. Educating masses about the importance of protecting the environment is an effective way to restore the ecological balance.

The climate change is the biggest environmental emergency that the earth faces today. This inevitable disaster has a multitude of serious implications for both environment and human society. Efforts are being made to develop a better scientific understanding of this complex problem by generating better future projections of climate change. The climate change has potential implications on different sectors including glaciers and permafrost, rivers, forests, soils, ecosystems, society and economy.

Effects of climate change are already being felt on the ground. Erratic snowfall and snowfall pattern and unusual warm winters are some of the characteristics of the climate change in Jammu and Kashmir. The diverse types of ecosystems and communities, especially the poor rural people, living in the mountains across the state are among the most affected by the climate change.

Depending on the nature of pollutants, they can belong to three major categories – biological (pathogenic organisms, products of biological origin), chemical (toxic metals, agrochemicals, gaseous pollutants, particulates, hazards chemicals, carcinogenic substances, petroleum products, acidic or basic substances and radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing), radioactive substances, sound waves, foul odours.

In the last 100 years the temperature rise in Jammu and Kashmir has been 1.2 degree Celsius, which is more than the world average. This may be detrimental to some native crops of Kashmir. Global warming in the region has also led to a change in snowfall patterns and warmer winters, affecting the ecosystem at large.

In recent years, there has been a drastic reduction in the forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 14,000 hectares of forest area has been encroached upon, and as per a 2017 report published by the Forest Survey of India, the forested area in J&K is just 10.46%; increasing requirement for housing and infrastructure and the rise in industrial development have led to the felling of trees. Deforestation has caused soil erosion and floods, further damaging forest resources.

Due to habitat destruction and animal poaching, many animal species in Jammu and Kashmir are facing the threat of extinction. Cutting of trees and depletion of the forest cover is threatening the existence of some plant species.

Jammu and Kashmir has several lakes and streams. The disposal of human and animal waste in these water bodies has obstructed their flow and degraded water quality.

Dal Lake, one of the largest water bodies in Kashmir and a world-famous tourist attraction, contributes significantly to its economy through tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. In addition, it has been a major source of food and water for the people residing in the area. However, pollution in Dal Lake has become a concern in recent times as the water characteristics have drastically changed.

Pollutants and contaminants from sources such as sewage, waste from houseboats, animal waste, commercial establishments, and agricultural run-off have deeply impacted the water quality, making it unfit for domestic and reuse purposes.

The infrastructural and industrial growth in Kashmir has boosted its economy but resulted in air pollution. Burning of stubble in the harvesting season degrades air quality and throwing of wastes in open spaces further pollutes the air.  Brick kilns in many districts of Jammu and Kashmir are adding to air pollution.

The glaciers in the western Himalayas, source of water for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, have been melting at a significant rate due to the growing amount of black carbon aerosol and greenhouse gases, which is leading to the darkening of the region’s snowpack, researchers have found in various studies.

In a recent study, around 77 glaciers in the Drass basin of the Ladakh region were evaluated using satellite data. The study was used to investigate the shrinkage, snout retreat, ice thickness changes, mass loss and velocity changes of these glaciers between 2000 to 2020.

Land which was once used for farming, is being used for non-agricultural purposes, thus leading to a food grain deficit. Farmlands are fast being used for construction of roads, buildings and industries.

Many plantation drives were organized to let the masses participate in afforestation. Agro-based businesses have been encouraged so that plants native to Kashmir can be commercially cultivated. Strict laws have been formulated against timber smuggling and other mal-practices, which result in the cutting down of trees.

Water conservation and management programmes have been launched for the lakes in J&K, in which their water quality is assessed and remedial measures like weed removal are implemented. Volunteers take up projects for cleaning up of rivers and surrounding areas to curb pollution caused by garbage.

To reduce air pollution in Jammu and Kashmir, the state administration is taking measures like checking of vehicular emissions, traffic management, and introduction of cleaner fuels, among others. To combat loss of biodiversity, several sanctuaries, national parks and conservational reserves have been established and poaching of certain endangered animals has been prohibited by law.

If natives and tourists act responsibly towards the environment and strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, Jammu and Kashmir will stay beautiful, befitting its title -  Paradise on Earth.