Kashmir valley being the eco fragile region is famous across the globe for its breath-taking surroundings due to presence of natural resources. Undoubtedly, the employment and economy mainstays on natural resources. However, for the last two decades, the Eco fragile region has been grappling with many pressing environmental challenges particularly climate change, global warming, solid waste pollution, air pollution, rapid melting of glaciers, unplanned commercial and developmental activities, industrialisation and urbanisation. Technological advancement, non-judicious use of resources, and gross violation of environmental laws have further put pressure on our resources in the fragile environment. Once upon a time, the natural resources in Jammu and Kashmir were intact everywhere without any disturbance and pollution adding more beauty to the mesmerising valley. The main reason behind the intact resources was the sincere, civilized and educated people knowing the utmost importance of the resources in the environment, its conservation and protection for the welfare and prosperity of all irrespective of caste creed, colour, sex, religion and region. However, due to growing materialism in people, modernization and moving away from religious knowledge, most people do not respect environmental laws but are hell bent on destruction of limited resources in the fragile environment of Jammu and Kashmir in various ways. Solid waste Pollution is one of the great threats to the fragile environment of Jammu and Kashmir. It has created havoc in the environment. Solid waste production and its mismanagement in disposal is a serious threat that has led to extinction of springs, canals and streams and aquatic life in the eco fragile region.Villages once considered pristine due to the presence of cleanliness are turning to small Achan like sites amid heaps of solid waste scattered all around. On an average, Jammu and Kashmir generates 3134 tonnes of solid waste per day and it is taking a heavy toll on the fragile environment not in urban areas but in rural areas as well. Almost all villages in Kashmir valley have been facing immense environmental degradation due to dumping of unwanted solid waste materials into the fresh water bodies, stream, canals, Nallahs, springs, lakes, wetlands, public places, parks, fertile lands, karewas and forests. The waste generated in villages include biodegradable, non-biodegradable, construction, plastic and other kinds of waste. It is ironic that a good percentage of people in villages do not bother for the pristine environment but keep adding heaps of solid waste material into the fragile environment without knowing its deleterious consequences on environment and human society. The problem is increasing in the absence of proper garbage collection and its scientific disposal. Lack of eco-friendly practices, environmental ethic and unawareness of citizens in villages has further added destruction to the fragile environment. For the last many years, all villages in the valley have been witnessing extinction of many fresh water springs, canals and streams due to disposal of solid waste by people. In villages other than municipal areas, tons of waste is being generated monthly but not a single ton of waste is collected, segregated and disposed scientifically but is thrown everywhere in a fragile environment where polluters’ wish. If one visits in any village in the Kashmir valley, he finds heaps of solid waste lying at the banks of springs, streams, canals, rivulets, rivers, lakes, ponds, and public places, roads, forest etc. with foul and stinking smell emanating from waste making him difficult to walk.
“We have to learn lessons from past natural disasters like September 2024 floods. We must respect the environment by avoiding pollution and adopting sustainable ways. Let’s learn to live in harmony with the fragile environment and save it for future generations.”
The huge quantity of liquid wastes also directly drains into fresh water bodies in villages as well. Fresh water bodies that were providing clean water for many purposes are highly polluted and choked by solid waste, household refusals, polythene bags, plastic materials, wrappers and indiscriminate encroachments. Lakhs of tons of solid waste generated annually here is posing a great threat to public health and environment sustainability. This surge is attributed to many factors particularly increased population, urbanization, consumerism, materialism, lifestyle changes, lack of environment awareness, ethics and education and inadequate waste management infrastructure. This results in all solid waste in villages ending up in landfills, springs, streams, canals, rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, karewas, roads, and even forests. These activities spill doom to the fragile ecosystem in all villages. Article 48 A of the constitution states that the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the natural environment and safeguard forests and wildlife of the country. Article 51 A of the constitution says that it is the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. Citizens polluting deliberately in the environment is speaking how much they are respecting and valuing fundamental duties of the constitution and environmental laws of the land. I salute to the countries’ who are turning deserts into greeneries by avoiding pollution, planting trees, protecting and preserving the environment by adopting eco-friendly ways for the future generations. Protecting the fragile environment is not just our responsibility but also a fundamental duty that we must owe to our mother earth on which our existence depends. People in villages should learn a lesson from Mr. Sonam Wangchuk of Ladakh, a social and environmental activist who has been protecting Ladakh’s ecology and environment, land and natural resources without any conflict of interest. People in villages should take lessons from Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Faiz Bakhshi, Advocate Nadeem Qadri, Khurshid Ahmad Ganaie (Retired IAS), Advocate Shuja, Er. Ajaz Rasool, Syed Adil, Rasik Rasool, Manzoor Wagnoo, Ahmad Ayaz, Dr. Touseef,and Syed Farhat who have been working tirelessly for the betterment of the environment. All educational institutions need to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and communities about the environmental and health impacts of improper waste disposal in the environment. Religious speakers have to play a great role in sensitizing people on waste collection, segregation and proper disposal. They should deliver speeches on the cleanliness of the environment, its protection and preservation. They can motivate people in a nice way. Efforts should be also made by the government to make all villages waste free by spending a good amount on scientific waste management. Civil society, NGOS, and environmentalists can also bring awareness among the people regarding the importance of a clean environment for life and its conservation measures. People should dig compost pits in kitchen gardens for conversion of biodegradable waste into organic compost. Vermicomposting units can be also established for turning biodegradable waste into organic manure. People should join hands together to make villages cleaner and greener for future generations to cherish its natural beauty. We have to learn lessons from past natural disasters like September 2024 floods. We must respect the environment by avoiding pollution and adopting sustainable ways. Let’s learn to live in harmony with the fragile environment and save it for future generations.
(The author is a teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwa, Budgam. 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”)
