Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jul 27: Climate change, characterised by long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, is intensifying the heat wave in Kashmir and threatening the livelihoods of its people, experts say.
They said the farmers, whose sustenance depends on the horticulture and agriculture sectors, are particularly distressed due to the shortage of irrigation water and the heightened risk of diseases like leaf miners.
Experts warn that the impacts of climate change are likely to increase in the future, which necessitates adaptability measures to mitigate its effects.
Dr Aamir Hussain Bhat, an environmental expert, said that climate change, which has resulted in global warming, is the primary driver of the extreme heatwave, with higher temperatures being reported globally.
He said that other contributing factors include deforestation, urbanisation, pollution and reduced snow cover. “The lack of green spaces due to urbanisation generates heat, while the reduction of forest cover disrupts climate regulation. Emissions from vehicles and industries contribute to the greenhouse effect, raising temperatures and reduced snow cover affects overall temperature regulation,” he explained.
Another environmental expert Dr Muhammad Sultan said that climate change leads to extreme events. “This means that areas with extreme cold temperatures in winter may get warmer, and areas with warm temperatures in summer may get hotter,” he said.
He said while heat waves have occurred in the past, climate change will likely increase their frequency. “For instance, if heat waves previously occurred twice in a decade, they might happen five to six times in a decade in the future, alongside droughts, storms, and uneven rainfall distribution,” he explained.
Dr Sultan said that climate change has caused uneven rainfall distribution, which is negatively affecting the agriculture and horticulture sectors. “Rainfall variability has increased, with rainfall now occurring in shorter spans instead of being spread over three months. This variability leads to floods, affecting both surface and groundwater resources,” he said.
To mitigate these effects, experts have called for mitigation and adaptability measures. They recommend planting more trees, conserving water, reducing and recycling waste through proper waste management, saving energy and raising public awareness about the impacts of climate change.
By taking these actions, they believe that a sustainable Kashmir can be achieved, and the environment can be protected for future generations.
