SRINAGAR: On World Environment Day, the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), a non-political collective consisting of academics, former civil servants, and professionals from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), issued a statement urging the local population to actively contribute to the preservation of the environment, ecology, and biodiversity in the region.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts in promoting socio-economic development in the Union Territory (UT), he GCC emphasised that it is the responsibility of the people to safeguard the environment, which has already suffered significant damage over the past decades, risking irreversible deterioration if neglected. The statement stressed the importance of ensuring that government-led developmental activities and projects prioritize environmental sustainability to protect Jammu and Kashmir’s natural resources and unique scenic beauty.
The GCC expressed appreciation for the Environment Day statement made by the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on June 5th, wherein he called for public cooperation in preserving the natural environment of Jammu and Kashmir. Consequently, the GCC appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to adopt a simple lifestyle and heed the Prime Minister’s call for embracing LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment). LIFE is included in India’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as part of the country’s Climate Action Plan and aims to promote a sustainable and healthy way of life rooted in conservation and moderation.
Additionally, the GCC encouraged individuals to refuse single-use and banned plastics while advocating for the practice of the four Rs in daily life: reduce, reuse, recycle, and restore. This recommendation particularly applies to the use of non-biodegradable substances and unbanned plastics. The GCC also urged the UT government to enforce solid waste management rules in urban areas to address the issue of accumulated and improperly disposed solid waste. They further called for the Panchayats (local self-governing bodies) to ensure proper solid waste disposal in rural areas, as sanitation falls within their assigned responsibilities.
Furthermore, the GCC suggested that the government promote only environmentally sustainable tourism and regulate the industry to protect Jammu and Kashmir’s natural environment and beauty from unintentional harm. They expressed hope that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would embrace the responsibility of preserving the naturally endowed beauty of their region for the sake of future generations. To achieve this, the GCC emphasized the need for widespread awareness campaigns, especially targeting the youth, to highlight the significance of protecting natural resources and the environment.
