Every year, World Environment Day reminds us of our responsibility towards nature and the environment. It is a day when policy makers, organizations, and individuals discuss sustainability, conservation, and environmental protection. However, beyond speeches and campaigns, it is important to ask ourselves a simple question: Are we truly protecting the places we claim to love?
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit my homeland Jammu and Kashmir, often called “Paradise on Earth.” Being a native of Tral, Kashmir, I have always been proud of the breathtaking beauty of my homeland. Snow-capped mountains, lush green orchardsand peaceful valleys etc. have made Kashmir one of the most admired tourist destinations in the world. Yet, during my recent visit, I witnessed a reality that left me deeply concerned about the future of our environment.
My journey began on the Vande Bharat Express. It was my first experience travelling on this modern train directly from Jammu to Srinagar, and I was excited. The train represents progress, innovation, and a new era of transportation in Kashmir. The journey itself was comfortable and enjoyable. However, what saddened me was the amount of litter and waste visible during the travel experience. It made me wonder whether our infrastructure is advancing faster than our environmental awareness.
After reaching Kashmir, I woke up early the next morning for a walk in my village Tral Kashmir. Morning walks in Kashmir are usually refreshing and peaceful. One expects to witness nature at its best. However, what I encountered was shocking. A beautiful orchard alongside the road had effectively been turned into a dumping ground. Plastic waste, wrappers, bottles, and other garbage were scattered around. The sight was painful. How can a place blessed with such natural beauty be treated with such neglect?
As I continued my visit, I noticed similar scenes elsewhere. After Eid, I visited Wazir Bagh Park in District Anantnagwith my family. The park is a valuable public space and a symbol of the beauty. Yet, beneath the trees and around the pathways, litter was everywhere. Disposable plates, plastic waste, and even used diapers were lying openly in areas meant for recreation and relaxation. The contrast between the beauty of the surroundings and the carelessness of visitors was disturbing.
“Tourists travel thousands of kilometres to experience the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir. They come to admire our landscapes, culture, hospitality, and environment. But if we ourselves do not respect our surroundings, how can we expect visitors to appreciate them? Tourism cannot survive on natural beauty alone.”
The situation was not limited to parks. Pollution along the main roads was equally concerning. Waste was visible in many places where cleanliness should have been a priority. Similar scenes were observed at Jammu Railway Station.These experiences led me to a difficult but important question: Do we really deserve tourism?
Tourists travel thousands of kilometres to experience the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir. They come to admire our landscapes, culture, hospitality, and environment. But if we ourselves do not respect our surroundings, how can we expect visitors to appreciate them? Tourism cannot survive on natural beauty alone. Cleanliness, environmental responsibility, and civic sense are equally important.
Many people blame governments and municipal authorities for pollution. While institutions certainly have an important role to play, environmental protection begins with individual responsibility. Every discarded bottle, wrapper, plastic bag, or diaper has been thrown by someone. Every polluted public space is the result of countless individual acts of negligence.
The places mentioned above are not the only areas affected by pollution and irresponsible behavior. This problem extends far beyond them, affecting our country and many nations across the world. Pollution has become a global menace, threatening the well-being of present and future generations. The time for concern has passed; now is the time for action. We must act, and we must act swiftly, to protect our environment and preserve the beauty of our planet.
As concerned citizens, we must recognize that environmental conservation is not somebody else’s responsibility. It belongs to all of us. Keeping our surroundings clean, reducing waste, using dustbins, participating in cleanliness drives, and educating future generations are small actions that can create significant change.
Awareness is the first step, but action must follow. If we continue to ignore these warning signs, the future will become increasingly difficult. Environmental degradation does not happen overnight. It begins with small acts of carelessness and gradually becomes a larger crisis.
On this World Environment Day, let us move beyond symbolic celebrations. Let us commit ourselves to protecting the beauty that nature has gifted us. Future generations deserve a cleaner environment than the one we are leaving behind.The future is not yet lost, but it depends on the choices we make today. Let us not merely celebrate nature. Let us protect it.
(The author is Associate Professor at the Department of Management, President Institution’s Innovation Council, ITM Gwalior and an IIMA (FDP) Alumnus. He is also certified Business Consultant of AIMA. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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