Kashmir’s lakes, wetlands in peril: Experts

Srinagar, Jun 5: Experts and activists on World Environmental Day issued a stark warning that Kashmir is rapidly losing its natural heritage—shrinking wetlands, polluted rivers and degraded forests.
Speaking at an event in Sopore, co-founder and trustee of Environmental Policy Group (EPG) Dr Tauseef Ahmad Bhat, said Kashmir is losing its natural heritage.
Dr Tauseef said the Wular, Haigam and other critical wetlands are shrinking. “Our rivers are polluted, and our forests fragmented. If we don’t act decisively today, the loss will be irreversible. This is no longer just an environmental issue—it’s a matter of survival for future generations,” he warned.
The event was organised by the Environmental Policy Group (EPG) in collaboration with the North Forest Circle of the J&K Forest Department at Valley Public School. It focused on the global theme “Ending Plastic Pollution”.
EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi said ending plastic pollution is not a slogan—it’s a mission. “Through this event, we aim to plant the seeds of responsibility in young minds, because they are the custodians of tomorrow’s Kashmir, he said.
Similarly, Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator of Forests, North Circle, who led a symbolic plantation drive to open the programme, said Kashmir’s ecological wealth is eroding right before our eyes. “We are at a tipping point in environmental degradation. Nature is suffering, and we must act. Choosing Sopore and its students for this programme is commendable. It sends the right message — the youth must lead the conservation mission,” he added.
Noted poet and historian Zareef Ahmad Zareef, who was the guest of honour at the event, warned of a moral and spiritual disconnect with nature.
“We once lived in harmony with our environment. It was not just a resource but a companion,” Zareef said. “Today, plastic clogs our rivers, poisons our soil, and darkens our skies. The loss of our natural heritage is not accidental; it’s a symptom of forgetting who we are. Our students must lead a silent revolution to restore that lost relationship.”
Speaking on the occasion, ADC Sopore, S A Raina called for grassroots action. “The crisis is real, and it starts at the mohalla level,” he said. “Plantations, plastic bans, and responsible waste disposal must become part of our daily life. The administration is committed to backing efforts that build an environmentally aware society.”
Former SMC Commissioner Dr G N Qasba stressed the need for systemic reforms in plastic waste management, while EPG trustee Ajaz Rasool advocated for “community-based wetland conservation rooted in local traditions and knowledge.”
Mohammad Shafi Bachha, former Conservator Wildlife, urged students to become “ambassadors of biodiversity—protecting every bird, tree, and river as a sacred duty.”
Altaf Ahmad Andrabi, former Director of Agriculture, warned that environmental degradation is also threatening Kashmir’s food systems. “Farming is at risk due to the loss of soil health and water resources. We need to rethink agriculture with sustainability at its core,” he said.
Environmental lawyer and EPG trustee Nadeem Qadri, who conducted the proceedings, contextualised the crisis within a legal and civic framework. “Environmental justice begins with awareness. Laws alone won’t save us—public will and collective action will,” he said.
The event concluded with a community pledge to reduce plastic use, protect natural resources, and foster a cleaner, greener Kashmir—anchored in education, culture, and citizen engagement. (KNO)