On World Environment Day, Kashmir’s climate challenges take center stage

Srinagar, June 05: On this World Environment Day, Kashmir’s dire climate situation takes center stage as experts shed light on the region’s severe environmental challenges, urging for sustainable solutions to combat climate change.
Rising temperatures, water scarcity, and erratic weather patterns have become increasingly common, posing significant threats to the ecosystem and livelihoods of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr.SanjeevRaina, a Senior Assistant Professor at the University of Delhi, highlighted water pollution as a major concern in the region, noting the detrimental impact on water bodies’ flow and quality due to human and animal waste disposal.
“Shrinking water bodies, such as Dal Lake and Wular Lake, further exacerbate water scarcity issues and affect hydroelectricity generation,” Dr.Raina emphasized, citing alarming statistics from studies conducted by Srinagar’s Directorate of Environment, Ecology, and Remote Sensing.
Glacial melting, another pressing concern, threatens food, water, and energy sectors in the region, as highlighted by satellite data showing the rapid decline of Himalayan glaciers.
Dr.MushtaqZahoor, an environmentalist, underscored the loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction and deforestation, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable agriculture, forestry, and energy production methods to mitigate carbon emissions and minimize environmental degradation.
“Efficient water management strategies and strict regulations against illegal logging and deforestation are imperative to preserve biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems,” Dr.Mushtaq added.
Director MeTDr.Mukhtar Ahmad said that all extreme weather events are linked to climate change, there has been an increase in such events over recent years in the Himalayan region.
He said Climate Change can have varied and complex effects on regional weather patterns. While some areas may experience an increase in extreme weather events, including increase in temperatures, he added.
Last year, the J&K government finalised Rs 33 crore Action Plan under NCAP to reduce PM 10 levels by 2025 to improve Air Quality Index in Srinagar District. But air pollution is not only confined to Srinagar so the measures to check it must be taken in other districts of J&K also.
This year, the theme of World Environment Day is – Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.
According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40 per cent of the planet’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the world’s population.
As per United Nations, the number and duration of droughts has increased by 29 per cent since 2000 – without urgent action, droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050.