Snow is essential for Kashmir
We are amidst Chilla-i-Kalan, the harshest phase of Kashmir’s winter but ironically we are again witnessing a quiet January marked by intense cold and an unsettling absence of snow.
Traditionally known for heavy snowfall and frequent western disturbances, this year’s Chillai-Kalan is unfolding under largely clear skies, turning January into one of the driest mid-winter months in recent memory.
Snow is part of Kashmir’s identity, culture and lifestyle. It brings merriment and miseries for the people of this region. Nevertheless, snow is as essential to the region as other necessities that help life to sustain here.
Winter, with lots of snow is one of those rare blessings from nature that makes Kashmir unique and beautiful. But as of now Kashmir is witnessing a decrease in snowfall with every passing year.
Its impact can be observed like dryness in winters, less rainfall in March and April and an increased heat during summer which is quite alarming. It is evident that climate change- induced sign has undoubtedly affected snowfall that will lead to social, economic, and even humanitarian issues in future.
In Kashmir, snowfall in winter is as anticipated as the monsoon is in mainland India. Not only is it essential to ensure the water supply in the Himalayan region, the economy of Kashmir – where 70% of the people are associated with agriculture and its allied sectors for livelihood – depends heavily on a good winter.
Notably, the prolonged dry spell has begun to raise concerns among farmers, orchardists and water resource experts, who rely heavily on winter snow as a natural reservoir for the summer months. Reduced snowfall during Chillai-Kalan could impact groundwater recharge and river flows later in the year, affecting both agriculture and drinking water supplies.
Even tourism, one of the mainstays of the economy suffers badly due to the absence of snowfall. The absence of snow alters the winter experience for tourists as well as many of the tourists arrive here with expectations of snow-covered mountains and plains but are instead greeted by frost-laced mornings and clear mountain.
As Chillai-Kalan inches towards its end later this month, Kashmir continues to endure a winter that is cold but unusually silent — a season where freezing temperatures persist, yet snowfall remains a distant promise, leaving the Valley waiting under clear skies for a change that is unlikely to arrive till the third week of this month.
Climate change, deforestation, Urbanization and pollution are considered contributing factors to the declining snowfall in Kashmir, as indicated by various studies.
This gives a clear image of how global warming is adversely affecting us. Such trends are expected in the next 30-40 years, and we need strategies to cope because the decline in snowfall will effect water reduction in hydroelectricity, drinking water supply, crop production and increase in forest fires, and agricultural drought.
