Rohit Kapoor, Advocate
The media report “J&K non-serious towards climate change” appearing at a time when Country is facing unprecedented Man made climatic catastrophe in Uttara Khand, reminds us of Allama Iqbal’s caution to the human race centuries back; “Your world is (only) the one which you create yourself”.
Innovative capitalists have virtually succeeded to rewrite nature. God made life simple; it is man who complicated it. Inhabitants of planet Earth have altogether brushed off the known and well established norm of the Nature, whenever there is a transgression of any natural Law, there has been a disaster”. Nature has always and continues to warn us of the consequences of fiddling with its system. However, both the people and the establishments are equally responsible for the climate change. The Jhelum, regarded as a God by the ancient Greeks, is drying as so are the other water bodies like world famous Dal Lake in Kashmir, Surinsar and Mansar in Jammu. The Greens are depleting fast. This brazen violation of ecological norms and official apathy is indefensible and just unforgivable.
The Ministry of Earth Science has conducted a survey of climate changes and their fallout in Jammu & Kashmir. State of J & K has been characterized as fragile, sensitive and susceptible ecosystem for better and scientific management of the forest eco-system. National Action Plan on Climate Change has formulated a Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem primarily to seek and understand to what extent the glaciers are in recession and how the problem can be addressed.
Taking cognizance of the International, Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), and to address the excessive pressure on biodiversity, the Government of India has enacted Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA 2002). It extends to the whole of India. The Act is implemented at national, State and local levels, through a decentralized three tier system. At the National level, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established by Government of India under Section 8 of the Act. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002). The NBA is Autonomous body and that performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory function for Government of India on issue of Conservation, sustainable use of biological resource and fair equitable sharing of benefits of use. Whereas India is rich in biological diversity and associated traditional and contemporary knowledge system relating thereto; And India is a party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity signed at Rio Janerio on the 5th. day of June, 1992.
Entire State of J & K is blessed with natural resources. The mountain ranges with dense forests, snow covered peaks, springs, fresh water lakes, rivers; river lets, lush green meadows of Gulmarg and Yusmarg and diverse flora and fauna are the major attributions of this charming valley of Kashmir and Bhaderwah. All the four seasons contribute in sustenance of beauty of Kashmir and particularly provide life to its water ways and water bodies. Detailed study of climatic cycle in this region will reveal how water bodies get charged and sustain by the influence of climatic diversity within a scheduled year. Nature controls and manages our water cycle as per our requirements, by pouring it; storing it on top of our surrounding peaks as glaciers; releasing it at proper time and circulating it through streams and rivers, the life line of our survival. Forest and other valuable ground cover also play vital role in conserving and harvesting the water bestowed by nature through these climatic settings. Every feature of Kashmir as a whole works in tandem to shape and sustain our precious water bodies and ultimately guarantee and safeguards our survival. But un-fortunately, this Gift from God is vanishing faster.
Kalahan’s account of Dal, Jhelum and other water ways in the city of Srinagar are self explanatory descriptions of magnificence and beauty of these water structures but now in this era of emancipation these iconic structures are facing cruelty of mankind. Much damage has been done to the water bodies of the State both by the common people and the establishment. High Court of J & K has issued a number of directives and continues to monitor the damage control to Dal Lake. But the degradation does’t end with it.
Studies carried out so far indicate decreasing trend in monsoon and overall annual precipitation in the Northwestern Himalayas including J & K. Monsoon rains have become erratic as direct consequence of noticeable climate change.
Many of us do remember the times when our court yard was filled with monsoon water and small paper made boats floating over it; sparkling rain drops rocking it, butterflies in the child- it sails across! Was an inspiration for the poets and the melodious voice of Jagjit Singh has immortalized what is vanishing today “woh kagaz ki kashti woh barish ka pani. And the one and the only reason is” Climate Change”
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