Naeem Akhtar urges Govt to balance ecology and development, form rapid response force

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-02-17 20:54:16 |

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Says Kashmir's basic character under threat due to climate change

Srinagar, Feb 17: Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar on Monday urged the government to constitute a rapid response force and make it a top priority to address the pervasive climate impacts in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the PDP leader, the situation has the potential to alter the character of this Himalayan region, which otherwise serves as a source of ecological stability for much of South Asia.

In a statement, Akhtar said that drastic climate change is wreaking havoc on Kashmir, with alarming trends such as continuous drought, snowlessness during peak winter months, and the drying up of water bodies and springs that have been vital water sources for centuries. He described the situation as deeply alarming and disturbing.

Akhtar added that addressing the pervasive and drastic effects of climate change must be a top governance priority. He called for the government to consult experts and monitor the situation on a war footing.

"Short- and long-term action plans must be devised, including climate adaptation and mitigation measures, alongside the creation of a loss and damage fund to tackle the severe impacts of climate change. There should be no quick-fix solutions to this apocalyptic situation. A well-considered government response is the need of the hour," Akhtar said.

He warned that if the situation is not handled with caution, the region faces the looming threat of severe drinking water scarcity and a lack of irrigation facilities for agriculture and horticulture.

He added that this is the worst climatic situation in living memory, threatening the very existence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He urged the government to revisit the drawing board and review development plans.

"Any project detrimental to the environment should be halted immediately, and the government should adopt alternative approaches that do not stress land and plantations. The mad rush to turn ecologically fragile zones into concrete jungles must stop. Otherwise, Kashmir is on the brink of losing its very basic character," Akhtar said.

He added that forest fires are another calamity striking Kashmir with full force, and so far, the government has not implemented any effective mechanism to address the crisis.

"A robust response is needed, along with measures to ensure ecological awareness at both the public and government levels—sooner rather than later," Akhtar said.