Can we afford the change?
Over the past one decade Kashmir region has been witnessing huge changes in its environment and subsequently the weather patterns. This phenomenon has touched almost all aspects of life, however one sector which is bearing the brunt of this change is the agriculture sector.
Kashmir as we all know is an agrarian economy where the contributions from the agriculture sector are providing huge impetus to the economy of the region. The sector is so important that we cannot afford any change in weather patterns because that will have a direct bearing on the output of the agricultural produce and even its survival in the long run.
Recently a study conducted and later published as well has revealed notable changes in rainfall patterns across Kashmir, raising concerns about water management, agriculture, and flood preparedness. Researchers have analyzed the rainfall data collected from six meteorological stations over a 48-year period, spanning from 1975 to 2023.
Ironically, the study has found a significant decline in annual rainfall at key locations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Qazigund. Among these, Gulmarg experienced the most pronounced decrease, with an average annual reduction of 11.058 millimeters per year. This downward trend poses challenges for water availability, which is critical for both agriculture and drinking needs in these rural areas.
Surprisingly, the urban area of Srinagar exhibited an increase in rainfall during January. Besides, seasonal variations were also observed, with spring rainfall showing a sharp decline in mountainous regions. This reduction could disrupt traditional crop cycles, potentially affecting agricultural productivity. Additionally, monsoon rainfall patterns appeared more erratic at some stations, complicating water resource planning.
Notably, the implications of these findings are far-reaching. The decreased spring rainfall can have huge bearings on the crop patterns and the produce as well.
The decreased rainfall may prompt farmers to adopt drought-resistant crops and more efficient irrigation methods. The overall decline in annual rainfall in rural parts of Kashmir highlights the importance of implementing rainwater harvesting systems to enhance water security.
The study advocates for the development of localized climate adaptation strategies, emphasizing the need to strengthen flood defenses in urban areas while promoting water conservation in regions facing scarcity.
The changes we are witnessing have not occurred over night, but these changes have been happening over a period of time. Though we may have not bothered to take some time out to work out on corrective measures, the reality is that any change in weather patterns especially the rainfall patterns will have a huge bearing on our overall survival.
We have to get our act together and workout a mechanism that too on fast track basis so that such changes can be delayed to the best possible extent. For ensuring that we need to upgrade and enhance environment protection measures and start a massive conservation drive across the region so that the dents we have created on the environment front can be restored at least partially.
