Srinagar, Mar 07: The melting of glaciers in Kashmir has worried experts who say that it will affect agriculture, horticulture and floriculture sectors suggesting measures at the community and government level.
Senior Assistant Professor Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, Dr Irfan Rashid said every sector of economy in Kashmir is dependent on water resources that come from glaciers.
“Any change in these water resources will definitely affect agriculture, horticulture, hydropower generation which are the key sectors of economy in the valley,” he said.
“As far as agriculture and horticulture is concerned we had conducted a study in Lidder valley where we saw conversion of paddy land into apple orchards. We learned that the agriculture land was declined. 30 percent respondents said that depleting stream flows was a reason for moving to orchards,” he said.
Irfan said there are many glaciers including Kolahoi Glacier, which is the largest glacier of Kashmir and it is also the fastest-depleting glacier of the Himalayas. “There is another glacier Machoi glacier in Drass, its area has been lost by 29 percent from 1972 to 2019,” he said.
Similarly, Thajiwas a group of four glaciers in Sonmarg are also melting. “There is a place called Panchtarn near Amarnath base camp and there are five glaciers are showing signs of retreat. Sheshnag glacier is also showing signs of retreat.
“All the glaciers in Kashmir are showing a sign of retreat due to rise in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution,” he said.
Irfan said in future, the water-dependent economy like hydropower projects would be affected. “Many people are turning their paddy land to orchards. The melting of glaciers will also affect mountain tourism,” he said.
“Glaciers are melting due to climate change. Somebody releasing carbon dioxide in the U.S and in the developed countries and through atmospheric circulation patterns it stays in atmosphere for more than 140 years and there is a probability that it can impact everywhere,” he said.
The expert suggested that locally there is a need to plan measures to be ready for the future.
“Efficient public transport is one of such measures that can save the environment and glaciers. Government efforts are also important in this regard,” he said.
“There should be some incentives for farmers also who grow rice. People should also be sensitive when they go for massive constructions and other activities that cause pollution,” he said.
Tahir Ahmad, Agriculture Extension Assistant Agriculture Department Kashmir, said over the past ten years pollution has got increased while the plantation has been decreased due to urbanization and construction of houses, roads and shopping complexes.
“The glaciers in Kashmir are the major source of water for irrigation of land by way of canals and water streams. These are dependent of glaciers. If glaciers melt the way these are in future we will be deficit of irrigation for agriculture land,” he said.
Tahir said paddy land in Kashmir which is already shrinking and climate change would compel people to plant apple trees and maize over paddy which is a concern.
The Agriculture Extension Assistant also said that every crop needs moisture and when the temperature fluctuates it can impact the growth of agriculture crops.
He said over years, Kashmir is witnessing a different trend and people are shifting from paddy to horticulture or grow maize due to lack of water during the season.
“Last year also the paddy has been affected at many places. Even at some places, farmers had prepared paddy saplings but they could not plant those saplings and sowed maize due to lack of irrigation facilities,” Tahir said.
He said in most of the places in Kashmir, the source of water is glaciers or natural water and there is lack of micro-irrigation technology.
“Indirectly, it influences agricultural land use pattern, intensity of droughts and floods, soil organic matter transformation, soil erosion, changes in pest complex and decline in arable areas,” he said.
Tahir pointed out that climate change also affects directly or indirectly agricultural activity including crops soils, livestock and pests. The Agriculture Extension Assistant also said that floriculture which is a major sector in Kashmir would also get affected if the glaciers continue to melt.
Financial Commissioner Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo said the department is taking many measures like sustainable agriculture and limiting use of chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers to avoid any future damage due to the melting of glaciers. “We are stressing farmers on use of organic manure and vermicompost to improve the nutrients in soil,” he said.
Dulloo said in rain-fed areas the department is promoting sustainable and organic agriculture and horticulture practices. “We are also promoting millets that require less water. We are also working on a huge project on limiting the use of fertilizers in apple orchards,” he said.
