As we celebrate Earth Day, we are reminded of our responsibility toward the planet and the delicate balance of our environment. In Jammu, rapid urban growth, a rising population, and changing lifestyles are increasing pressure on natural resources, showing that this balance cannot be taken for granted. Earth Day is more than a ritual-it is a call for action. Expanding cities, shrinking green cover, stressed water sources, and rising pollution reveal growing ecological strain. Erratic rainfall and shifting temperatures further expose the region’s vulnerability to climate change.
Development is necessary, but its sustainability depends on how carefully it is planned. Thoughtful urban design, afforestation, protection of riverbanks and ravines, and responsible tourism can help restore balance. Local institutions, government bodies, and civil society must move beyond one day events and translate awareness into consistent, long term action. On this Earth Day, real progress will be measured not by the number of celebrations, but by how closely Jammu’s growth aligns with the needs of nature, ensuring a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come.
Daily Excelsior interacts with a group of citizens to know their views on protecting the planet.
Dr. Ravia Gupta
Assistant Professor
Journalism and Media Studies
University of Jammu
The theme for Earth Day 2025 -“Our Power: Our Planet”-feels deeply personal, not just political. It reminds us that even in a troubled world, ordinary people still hold real power to make a difference. In Jammu, that power lives in simple choices: a householder refusing plastic bags, students planting native trees along the Tawi, or a neighbourhood coming together to clean a choked nallah. These everyday actions may seem small, but they carry lasting weight. “Our Power. Our Planet” is an invitation to see ourselves not as helpless spectators, but as active guardians of the air we breathe, the water we share, and the green spaces that give our city life and peace.
Chahat Chopra
Alumna of SKUAST-J
(M.Sc. Biotechnology)
Rapid urbanization, unchecked construction, and shrinking green cover are disturbing Jammu’s natural harmony. Encroachments and pollution along the Tawi River show how unregulated development can threaten vital ecosystems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and declining biodiversity are clear warnings that demand prompt action. This Earth Day calls for a collective commitment to “Prevent, Protect, and Preserve.” It urges planners, authorities, and citizens to adopt sustainable development, ensure responsible waste management, and strengthen environmental safeguards so Jammu can restore and protect its ecological future.
Er. Himanshu Lehra
MES (Civil)
Natural assets like the Tawi face growing stress from pollution and unregulated human activity, revealing the cost of imbalanced development. Shifting weather patterns, rising temperatures, and the decline of native flora and fauna point to a deeper environmental crisis. This moment calls for more mindful living, stricter environmental governance, and active citizen participation to ensure that progress does not come at the expense of nature’s long term sustainability.
Parul Thakur
PG Student, Journalism and Media Studies,
University of Jammu
Jammu is witnessing rapid transformation, with improved infrastructure and expanding resources reshaping the city. Yet this growth often comes at the cost of environmental degradation, disturbing the region’s ecological balance. The rising frequency of floods and landslides points to the consequences of unchecked development and weak environmental safeguards. It is essential to rethink our priorities and place sustainable development at the centre of planning, ensuring that progress goes hand in hand with the protection of Jammu’s natural heritage.
Avani Sharma
Alumna of GCET Jammu
This Earth Day, growing evidence shows that Jammu is steadily losing its environmental balance. Air quality data reveals moderate to poor AQI levels, frequently exceeding safe limits, with PM2.5 concentrations well above World Health Organization guidelines. Historically, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed cleaner air and more stable weather, but rising temperatures and erratic rainfall now signal shifting climatic trends. Globally, India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention on Biological Diversity call for emission cuts, biodiversity protection, and resilience. Urgent, locally tailored climate action is essential to reverse this imbalance and secure a healthier environment for Jammu’s future.
Ramneek Bali
Student of Journalism and Media Studies
University of Jammu
It is a deep concern that cannot be ignored. Are we slowly losing the real Jammu? The change is not dramatic, yet it is happening every day before our eyes. Rivers that once felt alive now appear tired and polluted, trees are disappearing quietly, and concrete is spreading faster than greenery. Places that once felt open and peaceful now feel crowded, noisy, and congested. It is painful to see that what we proudly call development is quietly eroding the natural beauty and calm that once defined Jammu. If we continue to overlook this, we are not only damaging the environment-we are losing our roots, our peace, and the identity of Jammu, and that loss is irreversible.
Kashish Chopra
PG Student, Journalism and Media Studies
University of Jammu
Earth Day reminds us that there is still hope, as awareness about environmental conservation gradually grows and, with better planning, a more sustainable future is possible. In Jammu, however, development is often happening at the cost of nature-hills are being cut, trees are disappearing, and waste is increasing. Unchecked construction, deforestation, and rising pollution are weakening the region’s environmental stability. There is a clear failure in sustainable urban planning, where growth is prioritised and environmental protection is ignored, making the situation deeply concerning. Yet, with stricter regulations, thoughtful land use planning, and responsible civic behaviour, Jammu can still move towards a more balanced and sustainable future, turning awareness into meaningful, long term action.
Sakshi Rajput
Student of Chenab College of education
Jammu university
It is important to notice how Jammu is changing. Unplanned construction, growing traffic, and rising waste are slowly putting pressure on nature. The Tawi is becoming more polluted and green spaces are quietly shrinking. These changes may seem small today, but they can grow into serious problems over time. Still, there is hope. If people take simple steps-such as managing waste properly, saving water, and protecting trees and open spaces things can improve. Jammu needs not just celebration, but real, everyday action to protect its environmental future.
Vishal Bhagat
Alumnus of Govt. PG MAM College
Cluster University
Jammu is undergoing a significant environmental shift as global warming disrupts the balance between the Indian Monsoon and the Trade Winds. The Southeast Trade Winds driving the monsoon are becoming more erratic, while the northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and weakening Western Disturbances have led to abnormally hot, dry Aprils and early forest fires. The Greenhouse Effect, with gases like carbon dioxide trapping heat, triggers Elevation Dependent Warming: early snowmelt on surrounding hills exposes dark earth that absorbs more solar radiation. Coupled with rapid urbanization and Black Carbon on local peaks, Jammu is moving from a stable subtropical climate to one of high thermal stress and growing ecological fragility.
Dr Pardeep Singh
Assistant Professor
Journalism and Media Studies
University of Jammu
It is important for every individual to prioritise sustainable development. Rapid urbanisation, road widening, and other human activities have clearly harmed Jammu’s ecology. Development is essential, but not at nature’s cost. Collective efforts are needed to protect and restore our ecosystem. Civil society must help revive the region’s lost environmental balance. This Earth Day is a moment to acknowledge Mother Earth by giving back-planting trees, avoiding litter in water bodies, helping to clean them, and working together for a greener, cleaner future for Jammu.
Shubham Choudhary
PG Student Journalism and Media Studies
University of Jammu
Jammu stands at a critical environmental crossroads. Once known for its rich green cover and clean river systems, the region today faces growing ecological stress. Rapid urban expansion, unregulated construction and increasing pressure on natural resources are gradually disturbing the region’s ecological balance. The degradation of forest cover, pollution in the Tawi River and the impact of climate variability are visible warning signs. While development remains essential, sustainable planning and strict environmental governance are equally necessary to preserve Jammu’s fragile ecosystem. Public awareness, responsible tourism, and community participation can play a decisive role in reversing this trend. If sustainable practices are not prioritised, the long-term consequences may outweigh short term development gains.
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