Jammu & Kashmir’s ecological balance has been severely disturbed as a result of unabated environmental destruction over a period of nearly five decades. Permanent snowfall on the mountains has receded, average temperatures in the valley have risen, the amount of rain and snowfall has significantly diminished. The combined effect of deforestation and mismanagement of water resources has resulted into soil erosion which is responsible for frequent flash floods now seen in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Major lakes and rivers in Kashmir harbour serious diseases due to lack of maintenance, neglect and pollution.Dal Lake, one of the worlds largest natural lakes housing hundreds of floating house boats and home for vast reserves of aquatic life is rapidly shrinking in size. An expert Indian group was shocked to see the drastic changes [1] in Dal Lake that have taken place in the last 15 years. According to the group a new vegetation in the form of a mysterious red weed seen on the periphery of lake is an indicator of serious degree of pollution. A non-existent sewage and drainage system is just one of the examples of Indian misrule in Kashmir, as a result raw sewage can be seen in city centres of the valley. Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir although surrounded by lakes, streams, rivers and mountains even lacks a clean drinking water supply for its domestic use! An appallingly high infant mortality [2] of 1 in 5 is due to common infectious diseases like gastroenteritis and other water born infections is directly related to unclean water supply throughout the valley. Forty percent of all illness are related to polluted water supplies, resulting into frequent outbreaks of infective hepatitis, gastroenteritis, poliomyelitis, typhoid and cholera. Disappearing Wildlife Kashmir once known as “paradise on earth” home to vast wildlife reserves including some species so rare existing only in Kashmir, is now fast becoming a barren desolate piece of land. Rare species of snow leopard frequently hunted by Indian army officials and local poachers for its precious skin and teeth has now almost become extinct. Similarly, world famous Kashmiri Otter’s are now rarely seen in the valley today. The massive deployment of the Indian and Pakistani army on the line that currently divides Jammu & Kashmir in 1947, resulted in a large scale poaching as the troops in forward border areas indulged in killing [3] of rare species of wildlife like the Ibex, Blue Sheep, Urian , the big horned sheep, Antelope and Snow Leopard mainly to satisfy their apetite for hunting. For example, when the ill disciplined and poorly paid Indian soldiers realized how valuable their furs and skin were in the international markets, they then started to hunt these rare animals for their valuable skins, horns and teeth. Members of armed opposition groups have taken on similar pursuits. The result of this unchecked slaughter of wildlife in Kashmir has already forced some of the rare species like Snow Leopard, Flying Squirrel and Long Tailed Himalayan Marmot on the verge of extinction. Kashmiri stag or Hangul is now only spotted in the northern regions of Kashmir valley and its population reduced [4] to less than 300. In the first three years of military operations alone at least 400 Kashmiri stag have been killed [5]. According to the state wildlife department no Hangul’s have been sighted between 1991 – 1994 in the “winter zones”. Barking Deer,Cheetal, Nilgai, Markhor, Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Shapu, Ibex, Blue Sheep, Marmot and Lynx may soon become extinct if their unrestricted slaughter is not checked. The wildlife population throughout the valley is rapidly declining [6] because of extensive areas of deforestation resulting in the loss of natural habitat for wildlife. For the past seven years widespread use of high velocity rifles by security forces in villages and forests surrounding the Himalayan valley in their brutal crackdown on Kashmiri resistance groups has further added to the toll of the already precarious wildlife reserves. Over 300 species of birds which included Pheasants, Quills, Partridges, Vultures, Kites, Eagles and a large number of colorful birds used to reside in virgin forests of Kashmir- today some of those forests stand naked with barely any signs of visible bird life. A rich variety of birds, Ducks, Geese, Cranes, Grebes, Coots, Terns and water-fowls nest in the wetlands, lakes and streams. Along with loss of forests and indiscriminate killings of wild animals, Kashmir has also lost a number of “gained wildlife sanctuaries” (Rakhs) [7]. Alarmingly, there is no effective legislation in force to prevent the environmental and ecological damage which is being inflicted upon the natural resources of this beautiful Himalayan country as a result of the armed conflict which has plagued it in the last 9 years. courtesy Kashmirnet References: 1. Kashmir Times 2. Department of Epidemiology, Kashmir 3. Kashmir Times 4. Frontline Journal India, 5. Kashmir Times, 6. Mountain Valley Journal, 7. Mountain Valley Journal,
— at Anantnag Kashmir.
Jk enviro-serve 