Ramban Disaster and Green Building for Sustainability

As climate change accelerates and urbanization expands, the construction sector stands at the crossroads of development and environmental responsibility. For a fragile ecological region like Jammu & Kashmir, which is a Himalayan region facing unique climate challenges, there is an urgent need for sustainable architecture which is not just urgent, it is existential. Adopting green building practices and implementing the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in the region can help safeguard its environment, conserve resources, and create climate-resilient infrastructure suited to its terrain and weather condition.

Jammu & Kashmir lies within one of the most ecologically sensitive regions of the world. It is already grappling with the impacts of:

• Glacial retreat in the upper Himalayas.
• Increasing frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., floods, landslides, hailstorms, changing weather patterns).
• Accelerated urban sprawl in towns like Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, and Baramulla and all other areas.

The construction of high buildings is going on unabated and this unregulated construction using energy-intensive materials, poor insulation, and reliance on fossil fuels for heating not only increases emissions but also places unsustainable pressure on local ecosystems. Green buildings offer a much-needed shift toward resilience and sustainability in this context.

In India the Govt has initiated many regulatory frameworks which are in place and provide a basis for green building construction and model. India’s Green Building Code is a combination of codes, standards, and rating systems which can be described as:

• National Building Code (NBC): This is a system which offers guidelines for energy-efficient design.
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC):This regulation sets minimum energy standards for commercial buildings.
• Indian Green Building Council (IGBC): This council provides residential green building standards.
• LEED-India and TERI-GRIHA: This is a rating system which promotes sustainability.
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE): This Bureau is of huge significance and leads national energy efficiency initiatives and ECBC implementation.

These frameworks are collectively designed to reduce energy use, promote renewable energy, encourage efficient resource use, and minimize construction waste.

For Jammu & Kashmir, these provisions are crucial due to the region’s cold climate zones, where buildings often require heating for six or more months. ECBC compliant designs can drastically cut the use of firewood and fossil fuels for heating, reducing indoor air pollution and deforestation in hilly areas.

Since the Primary stakeholders for any implementation of sustainability framework are the urban local bodies, municipal committees, local builders, engineers, developers and electricity distribution agencies, we need to lay emphasis on these implementing agencies and train the staff and planners for such action.

In all this framework scenario, we face challenges in J&K as there is an absolute lack of awareness and technical capacity among local builders and engineers. The J&K has not gone for specific amendments to the ECBC reflecting the cold-climate requirements. There are insufficient incentives for green construction and there is a weak enforcement mechanism at the municipal and panchayat level.

As a matter of fact we cannot remain mute spectators to the changing ecosystem amid poor implementation procedure. We need to address these by holding capacity-building workshops, local adaptation of ECBC, and pilot green building projects in towns like Kulgam, Kupwara, and Pulwama which can serve as models for sustainable development.

Green architecture goes beyond energy codes. It embodies the principle that construction should enhance, not deplete, the environment.

Green buildings in Kashmir can:

• Utilize locally available materials (like timber, stone, mud bricks) responsibly.
• Incorporate sloped roofs, solar orientation, and natural ventilation suited for hilly terrain.
• Include rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, and earth berming for thermal insulation.
• Integrate rooftop solar and ground source heat pumps for renewable energy.

Additionally, traditional Kashmiri homes with khatamband ceilings, wood paneling, and verandahs can inspire modern green designs, preserving cultural identity while improving energy efficiency.

Globally, urbanization is surging. According to the UN, the world population will rise to 9.7 billion by 2050, and nearly 70% will live in cities. In India, more than 50% of 2030’s building stock is yet to be built. In J&K, urban centers are expanding rapidly often at the cost of wetlands, orchards, agriculture and horticulture land mass and forests. The present rate of urbanization has already contributed lot of carbon emissions and this CO₂ levels have reached record highs (412.5 ppm in 2020) . In this scenario buildings contribute to 40% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions. Transitioning to green construction is no longer optional but is a necessity now.

Now to say the least there are many benefits of Green Buildings for Kashmir:

1. Reduced Energy Bills: High-efficiency insulation and passive solar heating reduce electricity and firewood use in winters and therefore reduced electricity bill.
2. Job Creation: New opportunities in green construction, materials supply, and clean energy shall be created and job market will get a boost.
3. Improved Livability: The life span will be increased and it will lead to healthier indoor air, better thermal comfort, and less urban heat stress which will help the people in better quality of life particularly the women who suffer from indoor pollution the most .
4. Climate Adaptation: Such construction activity and the subsequent building can withstand temperature extremes, floods, and seismic activity.
5. Cultural Integration: We can remodel the construction activity and such modern constructions can be integrated with traditional Kashmiri aesthetics sustainably.

Call to Action: What Needs to Be Done

1. State-Level ECBC Notification: J&K needs to officially adopt and customize ECBC for local conditions. In absence of such an notification ,it meant that J&K is missing out on potential energy savings and benefits that would come with stricter building codes for commercial
2. Training and Certification: This training for architects, engineers, contractors, and municipal staff is required to be imparted immediately.
3. Incentives: Such incentives need to be widely popularized as green certified projects can avail tax rebates, low-interest loans, and fast-track permits..
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: This will make a greater impact and is important part of the campaign by highlighting benefits to citizens and builders.
5. Green Building Mandate for Government Projects: All government constructions Including schools, hospitals, and offices should plan green certified projects which will attract huge funding from national and international agencies.

In conclusion, the environmental fragility of Jammu & Kashmir and its developmental aspirations demand a new paradigm of construction which respects its unique geography, addresses climate vulnerabilities, and promotes sustainability. Green buildings, backed by ECBC and other national frameworks, offer a practical, economically viable, and ecologically sound path forward.

The time for pilot projects, awareness, and capacity-building is now. If embraced sincerely, green building practices can help Kashmir lead India’s sustainable development movement from the frontlines of the Himalayas..

Green buildings are no longer an option, they are a necessity. By embracing the Green Building Code and adopting green architecture principles, Jammu and Kashmir can lead the way toward a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban future.

The author is a climate change consultant.