On this Eid, let’s take a pledge ...

ECO-WATCH

Beyond its natural beauty, Jammu and Kashmir is prone to natural disasters. The problem is compounded by the erratic climatic patterns and temperature rise.

However, experts have been squarely blaming haphazard construction activities and increased movement of humans in eco-fragile areas of J&K for triggering of natural disasters and erratic climate patterns. We have been experiencing record breaking temperatures in summer to prolonged dry spells and warm winters in the last several years. Many areas have been witnessing land subsidence, landslides and flash floods. We have to understand that nature is giving us indications of extensive damage to it.

Many areas especially tourist resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg have been witnessing unprecedented rush of tourists surpassing its carrying capacity. These resorts are based in eco-sensitive zones housing major glaciers which are main sources of water for our water bodies. There is a need to regulate tourism as per carrying capacity of a particular tourist resort.

Our wetlands are being buried alive in absence of any regulation. 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. 20 wetlands have been vanished under urban colonies during the last five decades, particularly in the south of Srinagar.

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.

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, the largest glacier of Kashmir Valley’s Jhelum Basin, is retreating rapidly due to a spurt rise in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Environmentalists mince no words to 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.

Unabated excavation of clay from eco-fragile Karewas in Kashmir is taking a heavy toll on our fragile eco-system. In absence of regulation, unscrupulous persons and even construction agencies are having a free hand to destroy Karewas by wantonly excavating clay. Despite being treasure troves and repositories of geological and archeological treasures, Karewas are being flattened in the name of infrastructure development projects related to Railways and Highways. This has triggered soil erosion from Karewas and extensive siltation of the waterways and water bodies in Kashmir.

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. Still high rise buildings and other mega structures are being constructed. This can cause catastrophe in case of a powerful earthquake. An important study by a prominent US-based seismologist Roger 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. Bilham, who carried out extensive studies in J&K has cautioned that the major quake with magnitude 9 is likely to trigger landslides that would dam the Jhelum River, which drains from Kashmir onto the other side of the Line of Control (LoC).

Moving beyond these threats, it is high time for self-introspection. There has to be a mass public movement to educate people about the importance of protecting our glaciers, forests, mountains and water bodies. Small initiatives at village and locality can help build a big environmental movement. We have seen how a small initiative by a group of locals led by Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, who  joined hands two decades ago to save Nigeen lake from extinction under the banner of the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation, bore good results. Now NLCO is engaged in cleaning other water bodies like Khushalsar and Gilsar and undertaking plantations in denuded forests. Now NLCO has offered to collect hides of sacrificial animals at doorsteps to prevent dumping of it into water bodies. A good initiative indeed. But the question is why cannot respective mohalla or village committees take such initiatives to save the environment.

Why can’t we start environmental conservation from our homes by small measures like discarding use of polythene and single use plastics! While we go for picnics to tourist resorts why can't we plant tree saplings instead of throwing plastic bottles and empty chips packets! We have to understand that the deterioration of the environment has a direct bearing on our lives. Our existence depends on the environment.

It is our religious, moral and social responsibility to protect our environment. Let's pledge on this Eid to contribute our bit to safeguard our environment. Let this Eid pave the way for greener and cleaner J&K. As a resolution on Eid, let’s join hands to make this place really a “Paradise on Earth.”
Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir.