Time for environ course correction

The repeated warnings about Kashmir’s worsening ecological crisis can no longer be treated as routine advocacy. They reflect a grim reality unfolding across the Valley, marked by degraded forests, shrinking water bodies, polluted air and mounting public health risks. From the foul stench around Srinagar’s Achan solid waste dumping site to the choking air in urban centres, the environmental neglect has crossed into the realm of emergency. Once natural regulators of floods, climate and livelihoods, Kashmir’s wetlands, lakes and rivers are being steadily mismanaged as instead of conservation, soil and muck from wetlands are sold under the pretext of maintenance, while illegal construction, mountain cutting and land-use conversion continue unchecked. This reckless approach has disturbed the Valley’s ecological balance and heightened vulnerability to disasters. Particularly alarming is the destruction of the globally significant Guryul Ravine Permian–Triassic Fossil Park at Khonmoh and other sites in Tral. Illegal mining and the use of heavy machinery have reduced priceless geological heritage to mere construction material. The failure to develop this site as a fossil park of international importance reflects a deeper disregard for scientific and environmental value. Institutional weaknesses compound these challenges. The Forest and Wildlife Departments suffer from vacant field posts, skewed administrative structures and shortages of trained personnel, undermining effective enforcement and management. The lessons from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ramban are stark reminders of the cost of ignoring ecological limits. Kashmir cannot afford similar mistakes. Swift, coordinated, and expert-backed action, cutting across political lines, is imperative to restore ecological balance, protect public health, and safeguard the future of Jammu & Kashmir.