SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar has raised alarm over the growing impact of climate change on Kashmir, warning that it threatens the region’s ecological stability and identity. Akhtar called on the government to make addressing climate change a top priority and urged the formation of a rapid response force to tackle its far-reaching effects.
In a statement, Akhtar highlighted the alarming trends that are reshaping the region, such as persistent droughts, snowless winters, and the drying up of water bodies and springs that have long been crucial to the local water supply. Describing the situation as deeply troubling, he cautioned that the region, which has historically served as a stabilising force for much of South Asia’s ecology, could face irreversible changes if immediate action is not taken.
Akhtar stressed that there are no quick-fix solutions to the crisis and called for a comprehensive government response that includes both short- and long-term action plans. These should focus on climate adaptation and mitigation, alongside the creation of a loss and damage fund to address the devastating impacts of climate change. He further warned that failure to take prompt action could lead to severe drinking water shortages and disruptions to agricultural and horticultural irrigation.
The PDP leader also urged a reevaluation of the government’s development plans, particularly those that might harm the environment. He called for an immediate halt to any projects that pose a threat to the region’s fragile ecosystems, advocating for sustainable alternatives that do not contribute to environmental degradation. Akhtar condemned the rush to transform ecologically sensitive areas into concrete urban spaces, emphasising that such actions would erode Kashmir’s core character.
Forest fires, another growing threat in the region, were also highlighted by Akhtar, who noted the government’s lack of an effective response to the crisis. He called for urgent measures to raise ecological awareness at both public and government levels to prevent further damage to the environment.
