Earth is the only habitable planet in the entire solar system with man as the central agent of the whole matrix. Gone are the days when nature was in a state of equilibrium. Man has over a period of time exploited nature to the fullest. The world of today is bereft of environmental order and there is a looming environmental crisis. The increasing population of the world puts an unprecedented pressure on environmental resources and ultimately causes a scarcity of resources, which generates a lot of waste which pollutes our environment day-in and day-out.
The anthropogenic threats to the environment on a massive scale have radically altered our planet, including the lives of many species of plants and animals. Man is part and parcel of the biosphere and cannot turn a blind eye towards the contemporary ecological crisis and responsibilities with respect to the protection of nature. Environmental degradation is the most hazardous event of the current century which is attributed to the misuse of the natural environment. The crisis has taken a major sway over both developed and developing countries. The developed countries dump effluents into the environment polluting the earth. Kashmir which is glorified for its beauty is getting victimised due to the environmental problems of the current times.
The valley of Kashmir has been blessed with scenic beauty and really stunning green environs, but unfortunately, the indifferent attitude of the people towards the environment does not bode well for man himself.
The untimely downpours in summer, warm climate in winters, wind storms, hail storms in spring, etc are the problems of the current times and are attributed to changes in the environment.
The dreadful flash floods of 2014, which caused a lot of damage to life, property in Kashmir are grim reminders of ecological change and imbalance. The recent episodes of forest fires during which various species of plants and vegetative cover was destroyed is also alarming. The timely intervention of the forest department and the youth of the respective areas stopped damage for spreading further. In some pockets of Anantnag, the recent rains and the light snowfall severely damaged the flower buds of the apple orchards.
Environmental degradation in terms of deterioration in the quality of air, water and soil surfaces causes a number of biological manifestations, which particularly affect human health. The degradation in the quality of water gives rise to a number of diseases like cholera, jaundice etc. The increasing ratio of light, small, medium and heavy vehicles is day by day polluting the quality of the environment in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Soil erosions caused as a result of frequent rains have resulted in the siltation of water bodies, like river Jhelum (Veth) which leads to flooding of the adjoining areas in monsoon. Unfortunately, the environment of J&K has also been affected and destroyed in the last century due to the cutting down of the forests; which in turn has altered the patterns of weather and climate.
People in Kashmir have unfortunately turned a blind eye towards the environment and ignore all ethical standards vis-a-vis environment. The water bodies have become the ultimate target for the disposal of waste, whether house-generated or otherwise. Every household empties their sewage in the adjoining streams. Moreover, in some places the household waste clogs the flow of water hampering the movement of commuters.
Also, some people have erected illegal structures over water bodies and downsized them. The major ramification of excessive deforestation is soil degradation, excessive floods, dam siltation, alterations in climatic patterns which ultimately drives towards environmental bankruptcy. The pollution of water bodies in J&K has reached a point of crisis, they have been turned into cesspools due to solid wastes, wrong drainage patterns, sewerage etc. This has not only degraded the quality of these water bodies, rendering them ineffectual for drinking, but has also caused the unwanted growth of weeds and plants in them, ultimately shrinking their space. Dal lake, Anchar lake, are examples of this phenomenon.
Administration can play a prominent role in generating awareness and promoting environmental consciousness among the masses with the aid of print, electronic and mass media. Educational institutes can be used as instruments to spread environmental consciousness. Besides, water bodies and other polluted places can be cleaned using manpower and infrastructure. It is vital on part of the administration to create awareness among the masses for the preservation, protection and conservation of the environment and its mitigation afterwards.
The valley of Kashmir has been blessed with scenic beauty and really stunning green environs, but unfortunately, the indifferent attitude of the people towards the environment does not bode well for man himself
Man has destroyed the environment and is paying a heavy price for it. If a similar situation exists in the near future, human civilisation will face disasters. There is an urgent requirement for appropriate measures to be taken in order to tackle the crisis.
It is our foremost duty to conserve and preserve the environment. The need of the hour is to make people sensibly aware through environmental education programmes. Being part and parcel of the ecosystem, man has a crucial responsibility to protect the environment. However, responsibility is subservient to ethical motivation which can be generated at various levels of the society.
Here, again, the role of multiple players like the government, NGOs and everybody else is necessary. NGOs can actively engage the general public and students through programmes and activities. The survival of human beings is largely dependent upon the environmental balance. No nation-state can remain in isolation, because the problem is pan-global, without any consideration for limits. Thus, it requires a global solution. The development of man should be in harmony with nature.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, September 29th 2018.