GCC sounds alarm on environmental crisis, urges new laws for protection

By
Daily Excelsior
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Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 10: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) of Jammu and Kashmir today raised alarm over the region’s worsening environmental crisis, calling for urgent legislative measures to avert what it described as an impending ecological disaster.
A GCC spokesperson said in a meeting with the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s House Committee on Environment in Srinagar, the GCC urged the introduction of two key bills: the Water Bodies Conservation Bill and the Climate Resilience and Glacier Protection Bill. “Shrinking water bodies, deforestation, unregulated construction, and vehicular pollution are pushing J&K to the brink,” spokesperson, said.
He said the delegation, led by former advisor to the Governor and GCC Chairman Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, included former bureaucrats and environmental experts.” Lawmakers present included Committee Chairman M.Y. Tarigami and members Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Irshad Kar, Zafar Khatana, Feroz Ahmad, Mushtaq Guroo, and Yudhvir Sethi,” he said.
The GCC’s presentation highlighted the effects of climate change in the region-rising heatwaves, erratic rainfall, and dwindling snowfall-while pointing to local factors exacerbating the crisis. “It recommended a comprehensive Climate Action Plan and third-party audits of major infrastructure projects lacking proper environmental impact assessments,” the spokesperson said.
Specific concerns included the deteriorating health of major rivers and lakes like Dal, Wular, and Anchar, unchecked conversion of agricultural land, and worsening air quality. “It recommended river restoration projects, urban public transport upgrades, restrictions on farmland conversion, and stricter pollution control,” he said.
He said GCC flagged toxic emissions from the Achan landfill in Srinagar as a cancer and respiratory risk, calling for immediate action.
He added that the GCC urged the Government to fast-track environmental legislation and institutionalize public and expert participation in climate resilience efforts.

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