Jammu and Kashmir has been profoundly scuffling due to the variations in climate change. Deviation in the Climatic changes and untimely precipitation, windstorms and vulnerabilities in the region has massively devastated the livelihood of the people. Over the years, the region has witnessed certain environmental changes like inconsistent rain and snowfall with glaciers being receded at an alarming rate. Untimely vulnerabilities and uncertainties in the region have professed the precious lives of many, destruction to the property and infrastructure devastatingly.
A plethora of adversities and calamities across the valley over the years symbolizes a grave reminder of the vulnerability of the people to the natural hazards, taking away the precious lives, destruction of the abodes, and demolition of subsistence. The consequences of climate change are catastrophic at the global level. The proliferation of this intimidating concern is uncontrollable and rapidly growing globally. Amongst the affected regions the Valley of J&K is also severely affected by the climatic changes. The valley of Jammu and Kashmir used to receive its first snowfall in the middle of the December month, but over the years the course has changed thoroughly.
There are great fluctuations in the climatic patterns, the untimely snowfall and inconsistent rainfall in the valley has caused significant hardships to the people at an alarming rate. Climate change has profoundly influenced all the regions around the world. It is an extreme threat, and its effects impact several dimensions of our lives. With the change in the climatic conditions, the average worldwide temperature has upsurged.
The Kashmir Valley has experienced a noticeable drive in climatic conditions, with an astonishing shortage and deprivation in snowfall over the years. The protracted arid spells, with the destitution of snowfall in the plains of Kashmir, have upsurge the temperature from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above average at many places in the valley. This has caused the shortage of the potable water; the valley has witnessed a grave shortage and destitution of the water at several places. With the variations in the climate inconsistency and unpredictable precipitation has occurred.
Torrential rainfall for prolonged periods has caused an increase in the floods and destruction to the infrastructure. The recent unprecedented rainfall in the valley is a testament to the drastic weather conditions which claimed the lives of many, damaged the property with many devastating scenarios.
Climate changes also influence employment opportunities, due to the inconsistent rainfall in the valley, the local businesses, the laborious works and many more are severely impacted due to the immoderate changes in the precipitation. It also affects the education of the students especially in the remote areas; students encounter numerous hardships and difficulties because of the poor infrastructure due to which their path to excellence is impeded extravagantly.
Early snowfall, unpredictable rainfall, increasing temperature and heat waves in the valley over the years has greatly affected the apple orchards and harvests. Incessant rainfall, hailstorms in the valley has greatly affected the crop production and paddy farmers which shows the urgency of the implementation of the immediate measures to combat the climatic issues in the valley. Moreover, the fleecy cotton-like pollen by the “Russian Poplar trees” creates health issues to the common masses.
Annually, there is a considerable reinforcement of the health-respiratory problems, throat infections and many more, mainly prevalent in the elderly people and children. There is an immediate need for the strategies to be followed in order to prevent the climatic changes. Individual role is crucial and of paramount importance, awareness should be imparted regarding the catastrophic consequences of the climatic changes.
The government role is pivotal in conserving the environment. The Government of India has taken many initiatives for the conservation of the biodiversity and Conservation through various schemes like National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC); National Mission on Sustainable Habitat; National Water Mission; National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem and these schemes are aimed in combating the climatic problems.
(Author is Social and Peace Activist and can be reached at: [email protected])
