Need to shun our greed
The ever increasing flood threat in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir is a reality as even experts have opined that the state is the third most flood prone state in India.
Since the Himalayan Region is one of the most vulnerable mountain systems in the world any sudden downpour has and can in future too wreak havoc with the low lying areas like the Kashmir Valley and other regions of the state.
Though the ever increasing flood threat is attributed to climatic change and damage to the eco-system in the region still some measures could be assured so that the damage can be minimized to a great extent.
Just yesterday an effort was initiated when a workshop titled ‘climate change reporting in the Himalayas’ was organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Centre for Media Studies (CMS) and Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
The experts who were present in the workshop pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir is the third most flood prone state in the country saying that if effective measures are taken in time, it may be possible to prevent further degradation of the ecosystem.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a severe environmental degradation through deforestation and other practices. These unmindful activities carried out across the globe have in-fact led to global warming which is posing a severe threat to our existence now.
However, in a place like Kashmir where human greed has surpassed all the limits pushing us to limits that can spell disaster for us any time.
The September 2014 deluge proved that our greed has grown beyond our realization that we have intervened with nature in such a way that there seems to be no scope for any improvement of salvaging something that can help us to avoid a future disaster.
The situation in Kashmir is alarming as the recent few years post the September 2014 deluge are providing us a reminder that things need to be set in order. Any slight downpour in the Valley sets alarm bells ringing as the water levels in most of the rivers and rivulets touch an alarming level.
The Jhlem, Vaishow nallah, Lidder and other major tributaries that add up the volumes in Jhelum swell to the brim once rains are witnessed for two or more days. The flood threat that arises out of this phenomenon sends shivers down the spine of every common Kashmiri who had to suffer tremendous loses during the last floods.
Though the government too shows its earnestness by assuring the people that various measures are being taken, but on ground the situation does not witness any change.
The change that we ought to bring has to start among the people who have to come forward and shun the greed and lust that has choked our flood spill channels and water bodies. This step alone can help us to save whatever infrastructure we have created as the water bodies across Kashmir have lost its carrying capacity to an extent that they cannot absorb the downpour if it happens for more than a few days.
KV Network
