Srinagar, Jan 22: Prominent political leader Zaffer Mir (Lasjan) on Wednesday expressed grave concerns over the dry winter spell that has severely affected life in the valley by causing water scarcity and frequent prolonged power outages.
Speaking to the media persons, Mir said human activity has started taking a major toll on Kashmir’s environment, especially in the form of shrinking forest cover, diminishing water bodies and haphazard urbanization.
“The ecological balance of this region is under threat. We are witnessing water shortages while electricity remains unreliable even in winter when demand drops. This is impacting people’s lives and livelihoods as the hopes and aspirations of those who depend on winter tourism have been utterly decimated,” he said.
Mir appealed to the Lt Governor-led administration to take stringent policy actions to address this environmental crisis for the sake of posterity. He remarked that the recently amended Land Use policy by the Administrative Council needs re-examination since its lax rules allow unchecked conversion of agricultural and horticultural land for commercial, residential and industrial use.
“A blanket ban on such land use change is immediately required as one measure that can help heal our ailing environment and stop our agricultural land from being turned into a place for erecting lofty malls and lavish houses,” Mir stressed.
Other suggestions he put forward include ensuring proper city and town planning where sewage treatment and waste disposal happen in a sustainable manner without contaminating land or water.
Zaffer Mir also called on the local Kashmiri populace to join hands and intensify efforts to save the region’s precious and fast-degrading environment.
“Before it’s too late, we must wake up to the reality that our future generations will suffer if we don’t conserve our forests, water bodies and land,” he warned.
