‘Need of Climate Policy, dedicated Climate Budget Framework’
*Flags gaps in existing institutional response
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 7: Sounding a clear warning over the growing ecological vulnerability of Jammu and Kashmir, the Committee on Environment of the J&K Legislative Assembly has called for a comprehensive Climate Policy and a dedicated Climate Budget Framework, asserting that environmental concerns must be embedded at the core of governance and development planning rather than treated as a peripheral issue.
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“The ecological stability and socio-economic well-being of the Union Territory are increasingly influenced by climate variability and environmental degradation”, the Committee said in its report tabled in the Assembly, adding that “the fragile Himalayan ecosystem of J&K is witnessing increasing pressure on forests, glaciers, water resources, biodiversity and traditional livelihoods”.
Proposing that the Government institutionalize a climate budgeting mechanism to track, classify and optimize public expenditure on climate mitigation, adaptation and environmental protection, the Committee said such a framework would align development planning with environmental sustainability.
The Committee emphasized that a Climate Budget would enable better prioritization of resources, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and facilitate evidence-based decision-making-key to addressing the complex and interlinked challenges posed by climate change.
Expressing serious concern, the Committee noted that Jammu and Kashmir’s ecologically sensitive Himalayan landscape is facing multi-dimensional stress, including degradation of forests, shrinking glaciers, loss of biodiversity and increasing pressure on water resources. These changes, it observed, are already affecting agriculture, livelihoods and long-term socio-economic stability in the region.
The Committee pointed out that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality, reflected in the rising frequency of extreme weather events, erratic precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations.
Flagging gaps in the existing institutional response, the Committee underscored the absence of a cohesive and integrated climate policy, resulting in fragmented efforts across departments. It strongly recommended a unified framework to guide mitigation, adaptation and resilience-building measures across sectors such as water, forestry, agriculture, urban development and disaster management.
The House Panel maintained that a well-defined policy would help the Union Territory emerge as a model for climate-responsive governance, given its ecological sensitivity and strategic importance.
Turning its focus to the deteriorating condition of the River Jhelum, the Committee described the situation as alarming and called for strict and time-bound compliance with High Court directions on river conservation.
It flagged key issues including unchecked pollution, rampant encroachments along riverbanks and floodplains, and inadequate sewage and solid waste management systems, stressing that discharge of untreated waste into the river must be stopped immediately through coordinated action by all concerned departments.
Making a strong case for institutional accountability and seamless coordination, the House Panel asserted that environmental governance cannot succeed in silos and stressed strict adherence to judicial directives and policy mandates.
“The High Court of J&K and Ladakh, while adjudicating matters relating to environmental protection, has issued several significant directions aimed at preventing pollution, regulating encroachments, strengthening flood management and ensuring ecological restoration,” the Committee said, stressing that these directions must be implemented in letter and spirit.
The Committee, comprising 10 MLAs and headed by Mohd Yousaf Tarigami, stressed that adoption of a comprehensive Climate Policy supported by a climate-responsive budgeting framework and strengthened governance would enable the Union Territory to effectively respond to the evolving climate crisis while safeguarding its fragile ecological heritage.
“The coordinated and sustained efforts by all stakeholders will significantly contribute towards protection, conservation and improvement of the environment,” the Committee concluded, expressing hope that the report will receive earnest attention of the Government.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Committee has already shared a comprehensive policy proposal advocating the introduction of a Climate Budget Framework, though whether the administration has initiated action on these recommendations remains to be seen.
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