Sir,
People of Jammu & Kashmir in particular are feeling jubilant and are eagerly waiting for completion of widening of highway which connects vale of Kashmir with rest of country. However, an important question before the people is that whether this development with prove to be a boon or a bane in the long run. Would this development be sustainable in the near future or would meet the same fate as was witnessed recently in Uttrakhand.
If the views of experts are to be believed, this important region of lesser Himalayas is a fragile zone from ecological perspective. Further, it falls in the sensitive seismic zone. This area is prone to landslides.
Widening of this region has raised many important questions which cry for answer from those who are in the power corridors and take crucial decisions. Perhaps, the process of widening has made the soil of the region more prone to erosion albeit it may not be felt in the initial stages. Secondly, habitat of plethora of wild species may be destroyed and the food web of the area would vanish. Thirdly, natural ecological look all along the road will receive a set back.
Now, that the process has started and there can be no looking back. But, the concerned agencies can take necessary measures to replenish the depleting area which includes afforestation and many other such steps and expert opinion should be sought to conserve the area so that the development would prove to be sustainable for the future progeny.
Yours etc…
Ramesh K Raina (Wanpoh)
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