News Kashmir Exclusive
February is behaving like June in Kashmir Climatic Pattern Vise and it seems environmental Degradation and global warming aftermath has started to cast its shadows on picturesque Kashmir Valley.
According to climatic officials, Kashmir witnessed the hottest day in February in 76 years as the mercury rose to 20.6 degrees Celsius in Srinagar on 23rd February more than 10 degrees above normal for this time of the year.
Many are concerned that when in February we used to witness snow but on contrary we are seeing the sprouting of plants and blooming of some flower varieties — signs of spring in Kashmir — have started at least one month ahead of the natural process due to the early favorable temperature.
As a matter of fact, all these abnormal changes in Climate patterns has become a source of concern for environmentalists who see it as an effect of climate change. Many expert voices state that part of Climate Change and Global Warming, the two 21st century issues are already posing grave threat to the human civilization in terms of abnormal climate patterns. Kashmir which has already been declared environmentally fragile zone and can be most delicate area to these threats given its predominant reliance on agriculture, natural resources and forestry. The grave scenario with reference of climate has hit us hard at a time when in Kashmir the overall paradigms are already not looking good.
Sheikh Sameer, A researcher states -“A mechanism suggested for tackling climate change and warming has been the idea of using “Carbon Sinks” to soak up carbon dioxide. To aid in this, reforestation, or planting of new forests, have been suggested. This is a popular strategy for the logging industry and nations with large forests interests. While there may be some potential in this solution, it cannot be effective on its own. This is because it legitimizes continued destruction of old-growth and pristine forests which are rich ecosystems and have an established biodiversity base (albeit shrinking now) that naturally maintain the environment (at no cost!). Creating new forest areas would require the creation of entire ecosystems. It is also criticized for being a quick fix that does not tackle the root causes effectively and does not lead to, or promote actual emissions reduction.
In Kashmir we are being impacted by these global factors and also local factors like we destroying our forest wealth and water bodies has worsened the climatic and environmental position of ours. We need to wake up from the slumber and protect our natural resources especially environment than only we can effectively tackle these problems.”
Experts have maintained that large scale havoc caused to water-bodies and wetlands on one hand and to glaciers and forests on the otherside is compounding the environmental problems and giving rise to abnormal climatic patterns in Kashmir. With the threat of another floods looming large in Kashmir valley this season the biggest question, that is talk of town is that how Valley of Kashmir was literally converted last year into a flood zone with even normal rains that too in month of March which is a no-flood month. . Pertinently, the answer does not seem simple as the overall environmental scenario is quiet awful as Valley of Kashmir has lost several precious environmental resources. Over the past few decades, Kashmir lost a majority of wetlands and lakes. The phenomenon of deforestation has increased. Illegal encroachments have worsened the matters.
When one used to witness snowflakes and harsh cold in Chilai Kalan in Kashmir that has now got replaced by bright sunshine and all these are seen adverse impacts of global warming and environmental degradation on the Valley of Kashmir.
