News Kashmir Magazine

News Kashmir Exclusive

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to be also implemented in Jammu and Kashmir is not being received well especially by voices in Kashmir, as they feel it is against the overall interests of Kashmir.

Many a voices are openly stating that it is against JK’s special status . “NEET is against the interests of our students and clearly goes against the spirit and essence of J&K’s special status,”  the former Chief Minister Omer Abdullah  had said recently .

Khalid Tufail,an eminent activist States –

“PDP-BJP government are eroding status of Article 370.Nowadays, NEET crises are spreading all over Jammu Kashmir, as JK state is also bought under the ruling recently passed by Supreme Court, which states that only one entrance examination i.e, NEET (National Entrance Cum Eligibility Test) should be held all over India for MBBS, BDS and Post Graduation in medical education which will enable students to get admissions in various colleges of India. By this decision future of many aspiring doctors of our state is at stake. This sudden ruling passed by Supreme Court has destroyed dreams of many students who were eagerly waiting for JKCET. There is a lot of difference between JKCET pattern and NEET pattern. JK state should be exempted from NEET as education in JK is a state subject and JK enjoys a special status in India and presenting a petition by JK government in Supreme Court is only a step to erode Article 370 . From last 10 years , we are given false hopes that 10 medical colleges will be established but none is made till now and irony is that Government of India is now taking control over our medical colleges. One by one Jammu Kashmir state government is losing the control over the educational system of Jammu Kashmir, this is an attempt to convert JK into Palestine. JK government must take their stand to oppose this order. Now we have question to Minister of Higher Education Mr Naeem Akhtar , why is he silent over this issue? This ruling has created a state of confusion in many students as they don’t know what will be the fate of JKCET and what will happen to their future, why Mr Nayeem Akhtar is not clearing his stand on this thing? This time we have to stand for our students and evoke our special status so that we will not regret in future. Act now or never.”

 

 

On its part,  government has maintained that it took  an immediate action on National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) decision of the Supreme Court by filing a prompt application against the applicability of the order to the state.

“When the Supreme Court judgment came on April 28, the state government filed immediately, without delay and perhaps in record time, an application that the decision does not extend to the state as in Jammu and Kashmir education is a state subject. We pleaded the BOPEE exams have to be conducted as before in our case,” Minister for Education    Naeem Akthar stated.

For the moment, NEET has generated resentments in Kashmir.

News Kashmir Exclusive

In the garb of humanity many believe that the Special status of Jammu and Kashmir is being diluted .

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In this regard, a lot of resentment has been generated on the proposed move of the government of India’s plans of building structures for “homeless” in J&K under its ‘National Urban Livelihood Mission’. All pro-freedom Parties and some mainstream voices are also against this move.

Pertinently, few time back it was learnt that the government is planning to ‘temporarily’ accommodate homeless people, both state as well as non-state subjects, in shelter homes to be build across J&K with first such dwellings to come up in Jammu and Kupwara districts.

The project for which a high-level meeting chaired by Governor NN Vohra was conducted in January this year is currently being executed in Jammu and Kupwara at a cost of Rs 1.96 crore and Rs 1.75 crore respectively

While talking to News Kashmir Magazine, BJP Srinagar District President Fayaz Bhat stated – “ It is a temporary arrangement for homeless people as it is nothing what we call the permanent settlement .We need to take a humanistic outlook on this issue. However, anything that impacts the article 370 and its related features should  not be done.”

Commenting on this issue, AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er Rasheed – “ This is a grave and issue of serious concern. I urge Government to come clean over reports of providing temporary shelter to non-state subjects and added that lakhs of such people are already here without any proper record or reason and we would like to warn the government that Kashmiris will not allow any such shelters for non-state subjects.”

Hurriyat (M) spokesperson government’s move to provide shelters to non- locals was fictitious as poor people do not stay on roads pavements or under bridges in Kashmir.

Hurriyat (M) spokesperson added there was no need to set up shelters for Kashmiris although people belonging to Kashmir keep on coming and going to different Indian states for different trades and businesses.

The J&K High Court Bar Association (HCBA)  has also  opposed the government decision to construct shelters for the non-locals under National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), terming it another ‘conspiracy to change the J&K’s demography so as to reduce its Muslim majority character to minority’.

 

“The HCBA executive committee at its meeting held  stated that  the move shall affect and endanger the ongoing freedom struggle of people of Kashmir and their demand to give them their right of self-determination, therefore, the decision should be opposed tooth and nail by everyone,” a spokesman of Bar, in a statement  said, adding that “The decision is a part of the sinister design by RSS-BJP combine of settling non-state subjects in and around Srinagar Airport, for which even land was identified.”

 

On nutshell paradigm, experts and analysts opine that the new government will be advised not to stoke yet another controversy in the name of providing shelter to non-locals as the fire of unrest  that raged from the NIT controversy and Kupwara killings is yet to be doused fully .

News Kashmir Exclusive

Recently, the J&K government had blocked the internet services in  Kashmir following public protests over killings of five civilians allegedly in the Army firing in the North Kashmir District of Kupwara. All this generated anger, now in latest bizarre development and to avoid rumours spread via social media app WhatsApp groups during tension in the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to make license compulsory to create a WhatsApp news group

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities have also  stated that they will take strict action against the admins of the WhatsApp groups for any wrong content forwarded.

According to latest government guideline, the administrators of WhatsApp news groups will have to get themselves registered with the government authorities within the next ten days to get a license. A circular issued by the Kashmir Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, instructs users to first apply for a license to start WhatsApp news group.

All this has generated furor on both online and offline world. Idrees ul Haq, an activist states –  “Unfortunately , DM budgam through circular (DIPK-493) published in a local English daily on Thursday  page no. 13 has snatched Right to Liberty and Personal Freedom of Govt. Officials in point no. 4 by restraining govt. employees to comment /Remark with regard to the policies and decisions of Govt. on whats app groups running in Budgam District. This is really an autocratic step and shall be reverted ASAP…”

Muhammad Tauseef, an eminent activist and Netizen wrote on Facebook- “Congrats countrymen…So finally Kashmir is becoming ‘North Korea’. With the Government hell-bent to curb the freedom of expression of the masses, The state apparatus  is soon going to add yet another souvenir in their occupational hall of fame (read shame) i.e: curbing informal spaces and social-networks and probably making Kashmir the first place where FB pages and WhatsApp groups would need registration.

Anyways, it’s expected of them but what is unexpected is the sheer silence and docility that we (especially the civil society and intellectual classes) have exhibited over the same. It was heart-wrenching to discover my friends marching to DC office to confirm the formalities and fulfill the same.

Has our intellectual pursuit finally reduced to plagiarism, ideological hijacking and the number of likes and shares our decorated and garnished posts receive on FB and elsewhere….Should we really follow such diktats of the Government like dumb driven cattle or raise our voice to atleast defend our personal space on social-networks…

This scrutanisation started with giving vital family details to the police on the forms, followed by registration of FB and whatsApp groups will be followed by registration of marriages, Allah knows finally where this vicious chain will end and lead us to….”

Sane voices are also questioning that  under which authorities asks whatsap groups admins to get license. Direction are supposed to be issued under certain law by authorities.

While the orders are generated lot of resentment against state and authorities, it cannot be missed that Curbs on rumor mongers and facebook and twitter journalist’s is need of current times but we need some strict laws to be framed to ease media functioning.

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News Kashmir Exclusive

On 4th April, 2016 Mehbooba Mufti became the  first woman Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir.PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was sworn in as the 13th chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Within just few days mammoth challenges have started to galore for the Mehbooba Mufti Lead Government. From the controversy of National Institute of Technology which arose from tensions between locals and non-locals after India’s defeat to Westindies in cricket and then allegations of police highhandedness over non local students has now translated into Non-local students leaving the Valley and protesting loudly at Delhi against the State Government.

Now in latest dramatic turnaround of events, after allegations of molestation on soldier at North Kashmir town of Handwara fierce clashes erupted. Nayeem Bhatt, a promising cricketer, 70-year-old Raja Begum and Mohammad Iqbal, 21, were killed in the firing by security forces. The very next day another man, who was allegedly part of  protesters in Kupwara, died after being hit on his head by a tear gas shell. Curfew and strict restrictions have followed as a reaction to curb the public anger and rage. On Thursday Mobile Internet services  were not available in Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts of the Valley.

To refute the allegation of molestation, the army released a video of the girl’s statement yesterday. In it, she does not talk about molestation by any soldier but says a boy grabbed her bag, pulled her and abused her when she went to the washroom after school on Tuesday.

Pertinently, to control the damage Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has met the Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, at Delhi and discussed with him the unfortunate firing incident at Handwara  in which three civilians, including a woman, were killed.

 

During the meeting, the Chief Minister called for a time-bound enquiry into the incident so that those responsible for the deaths are handed exemplary punishment. This, she said, will act as a deterrent against such incidents in future.

Mehbooba Mufti said such incidents shake the confidence of the people and adversely impact the efforts of the State government in consolidating peace dividends.

Talking to News Kashmir, Faizaan Bhat, a  young Columnist states -“Governing Kashmir is not a cakewalk. Doing opposition would have been easy for Mehbooba Mufti but now with assuming the reins of power, it is much difficult task ahead . Within few days a series of serious challenges have encircled Mehbooba Mufti Lead Government. The NIT rage and controversy is refusing to die down. The Handwara killings have added fuel to the fire .The killings of innocents is in no way going to make matters easy for Mehbooba Mufti. The harsh  treatment meted out to Kashmiri students outside valley is another serious matter. All in all Mehbooba has assumed the charge of throne which is full of challenges.”

 

Undoubtedly, just within one week the government of first ever women Chief Minister  of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti has witnessed a series of burning problems and tense matters. The road ahead is likely going to be  full of challenges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashis Nandy   is an eminent Intellectual and Indian political psychologist, social theorist, and critic. A trained clinical psychologist, Nandy has provided theoretical critiques of European colonialism, development, modernity, secularism, Hindutva, science, technology, nuclearism, cosmopolitanism, and utopia. He has also offered alternative conceptions relating to cosmopolitanism and critical traditionalism. In addition to the above, Nandy has offered an original historical profile of India’s commercial cinema as well as critiques of state and violence.

 

 

Nandy had received the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2007.In 2008 he appeared on the list of the Top 100 Public Intellectuals Poll of the Foreign Policy magazine, published by The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

In an Exclusive interview with The News Kashmir Professor Ashish Nandy talks to Rameez Makhdoomi.

Where you always inclined to be polymath?
I did not knew that I would be one day termed as polymath. I do not believe in categorization .I have never defined myself .I was ex student of science and then I left it after some years, than studied clinical psychology as my post doctoral  research focused on it and was  also trained as sociologist .
Any specific motivation towards it?
I have always believed in maintaining margins and not been absolutely attached with one field .
Strictly speaking, I do not belong to single field and have enjoyed this marginal status. I have thus got freedom from traditional standard vocabulary.
How do you view the Jammu and Kashmir on academic traditions?
Jammu and Kashmir has a distinct intellectual tradition. The suffering has harnessed the intellectual tradition of Kashmir which cannot come in normal novels and circumstances.
What are your focus areas ?
I have few concerns and in a precise manner two focal areas of interest -one is the human creativity and other is human destructiveness because that too has been part of human nature.
How much relevant are Gandhian thoughts in present era?
Gandhian values are very much relevant in present era as globe is witnessing a bad cycle of violence and anger. A lot of this violence does not have target as violence precedes the target.
Would be fair to state that research related paradigms are still unimpressive in India?
Oh yes definitely. The research related paradigms are yet to relate with the actual problems faced by our societies. The main thrust is just to get good status via research which is cause of serious concern.
Any specific interest to have book on Jammu and Kashmir?
I do not have much knowledge to pen down a book on the issues of Jammu and Kashmir. Although, I comment on the issues faced by JandK.
What is your message to youth especially those pursuing  research?
Suspect everything as exercise of informed suspicion is the path towards intellectual salvation. Only divine beings can be perfect, human beings have laid foundation of nothing perfect be it nation States, democracy  or systems  .Do not Trust even your work because as human beings we carry the burden of humanity.

News Kashmir Exclusive

 

When the former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Passed away many had thought that new government formation in Jammu and Kashmir is matter of few days or hours, but as PDP took rigid stance the hopes faded away.

PDP made it clear that they want concrete Confidence building Measures to form the Government with BJP and even gave signals that it is ready for fresh elections rather than compromising on its core values.

But as now the picture is clear that PDP chief and prominent women politician Mehbooba Mufti is all set to become the first woman chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir after being unanimously nominated as party’s legislature party leader in a meeting of PDP legislators and leaders at  her residence in Srinagar, Thursday 24th March, many believe that after these months of political negotiations with BJP the  PDP has given impression that it has been ‘much ado about nothing’.

Pertinently, even in the first week of February and also few days back it looked PDP and BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir is on the verge of collapse. On their Part, BJP sources suggested that to maintain the core support base intact in Jammu they are not ready to compromise or listen to dictations .

PDP on its part stated that they need time bound commitment on completion of projects and agenda of alliance that walks the talk. “Mehbooba Mufti wants assurances from the top BJP leadership. The two parties are ideologically very different, so PDP wants time-bound implementation of agenda of alliance. The assurances must come from the very top,” said a senior leader of the PDP just some days back.

Mohmammad Tauseef, a Political analyst , while talking to News Kashmir stated -“If we do serious Political Analysis of the situation, the question that arises why three precious months were wasted for government formation as nothing new has come out. The government being formed is setup on the base of old formula with no new approach coming up .The perception that has gone among the masses is that PDP has not been able to gain anything despite this long delay in the Government formation .PDP  grasroot workers would also be thinking that this long interval has brought them back to square one .It would be now interesting to more how the Government runs but the path to governance would be now more stiff and beset with challenges.”

On the otherhand,” a senior BJP leader had sometime back stated –“There will be no further assurances given to PDP. The state government is committed to work for the development of all three regions of the state, which include Jammu, Kashmir and Leh. One party alone cannot dictate terms. We are in touch with the senior leaders of PDP and the regional party has to decide.”

From ground zero opinion to analysis  by political analysts the marathon wait for the Government in Jammu and Kashmir seems to have yielded nothing to PDP in terms of gaining upper hand or anything that can be dubbed as concrete.

News Kashmir Exclusive

Drainage systems are key areas of development and contribute to sustainable development  of city and  balance the diverse issues that influence the development of communities. An efficient drainage system has to take into account many realities. Approaches to manage surface water that take account of water quantity (flooding), water quality (pollution) and amenity issues are collectively referred to as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

Kashmir Valley has over the decades seen its drainage system going from bad to worse. Few hours of rain are enough to waterlog and flood the streets of Srinagar city and other areas of Kashmir. Thanks to inefficient drainage system Kashmir gets converted into a cesspool of mud and water as soon as it rains . The drains start  overflowing with just few millimeters of rains . Be it heart of Srinagar the areas like  Maisuma, Regal chowk, MA Road or Old City areas of Nowhatta and Khanyar  and many other parts the drainage system fails immediately  . On the other hand, scores of areas have no drainage system  in place. The low lying areas are the worst hit where residents state that  slight shower blocked flow of water and as streets gets choked they are restricted to homes.

Importantly, the devastating floods that shattered Kashmir Valley in 2014 had caused much damage to its fragile drainage system but no noticeable efforts have been made to repair the same. No new drainage project had been started in the last few years which are complicating the matters further.

Sheikh Sameer, a teacher by profession, while commenting on this issue states-“The drainage system of entire Kashmir Valley presents an abject outlook. During this current rain-spell it has been badly exposed, with water logging and Jamming almost entire Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley. There are many illegal structures – few of them even inside the flood spill channels. Many government offices have come inside or near those channels. They have been choked leaving a little room for water to discharge. Unfortunately enough, our world famous  lakes have  slowly migrated from the status of being a fresh water lakes to becoming a part of drainage system where they have  become a recipient of all the discharges from households to industrial effluents without these wastes actually being checked by  any filtering systems. We are witness  to the fact that government is sleeping over the issue. Pertinently,  Illegal encroachment are  still going on rather intensified after September 2014 floods and no initiative have been taken  to take them task. In the majority of the areas of Kashmir the drainage system has failed miserably . It is important that all drainage systems are properly maintained and at  regular intervals .Government need to outsource this entire Drainage and flood management system as the current setup is failing to achieve any concrete result on this count.”

As a matter of great worry, our existing  drainage systems  causes grave problems of flooding, pollution or damage to the environment and are not proving to be sustainable in the context of wider challenges from climate change and urbanization, and current drainage system   is virtually in mess   .

News Kashmir Exclusive

Gender imbalance is a disparity between male and females in a population. As stated above, males usually exceed females at birth but subsequently experience different mortality rates due to many possible causes such as differential natural death rates, war casualties, and deliberate gender control. But in many places the less ratio of females is becoming serious issue.

 

In our state Jammu and Kashmir too it is a serious issue. In previous census in 2011,we came to know about the ugly realities with reference to it. As against the national average of 919 females in 0 to 6 years age group,  J&K has 862.

Pertinently, as a matter of great misfortune we welcome our girl child with mourning song usually. The scenes usually witnessed in hospitals when a girl child is born are usually- Women are in a sad mood , men also often bowing down their heads in order to hide their tears or sometimes even giving frustrated looks and reactions , grandmother beating her chest, grandfather cursing his destiny and all this leads to gender disparity.

 

As per 2011 census In J&K, all the 22 districts have witnessed decrease in the number of female children. Pulwama tops the list with the loss of 217 female children per thousand. Budgam follows with the noteworthy fall of 172. While as Pulwama (829) and Budgam (832) have fared as the worst, these two districts were ironically on the top of the best performing districts with 1046 and 1004 respectively in 2001. Statistics were little reassuring in Jammu province where Poonch (-66), Kishtwar (-53), Ramban (-43) and Rajouri (-40) have topped the list in the loss. Reasi (-33), Udhampur (-26) and Doda (-26) have followed. Jammu (-24), Samba (-19) and Kathua have witnessed the least amount of loss.

 

Few time back prominent politician and former minister of the state also spoke on the issue. In a function Mrs Sethi also spoke about the recently launched state sponsored social security schemes meant for women i.e Ladli Beti and Aasra. She said many districts in Jammu and Kashmir exhibited declining sex ratio adding that to reverse the dangerous trend, Government started the Ladli Beti Scheme in select districts of Kathua, Jammu, Samba, Budgam, Pulwama and Anantnag to create positive disposition about the girl child and to address the concerns of girl’s right from birth to adulthood by providing financial security to the girls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

While talking to News Kashmir, Muhammad Tauseef Mir, President Youth Council, an organization working on youth and women issues stated – “ While we celebrated the recent  women day just few days back , we all know that we are confronting serious issue like Gender Imbalance in our state especially the Valley of Kashmnir .Seven out of ten districts in Kashmir have lost more than a hundred females every thousand. Even as Baramulla has lost 98 female children per thousand, followed by Bandipore (-75) and Srinagar (-63), the Valley’s rural districts of Pulwama (-217), Budgam (-172), Ganderbal (-151), Kupwara (-142), Anantnag (-136), Shopian (-133) and Kulgam (-118) have topped the list of dubious distinction. We have the disastrous consequences from entire world to act now or never against this gender imbalance. More than 24 million Chinese men could find themselves without spouses in 2020 as gender imbalance grows.”

Realities suggest that Gender Imbalance is a serious issue in Kashmir.

2016 International Women’s Day Special
By Rameez Makhdoomi
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Women of Kashmir are no less competent and intelligent than women of other parts of the world.
The theme for 2016 is Pledge for Parity, as progress towards gender parity has slowed in many places.
We unplug the three dynamic women of Kashmir, who have shined in diverse fields and take message from them on the eve of this all important observation.
Mehmeet Sayeed
Mehmeet Sayeed, an eminent artist and singer of Kashmir who recently has performed in noted global musical concerts on Kashmiri music and delivered enthralling performances and her message on eve of World women’s day 2016 is –
“Women have always played an important role in carrying forward the cradle of civilization towards the positive and right direction. Every woman needs to understand that there is absolutely no justification for injustice, inequality and discrimination against them. As women are becoming more relevant in the social and economical fabric of this changing world, they need to learn to speak up whenever they see the world being unfair to them.
Most woman face challenges at every step of her life, as a daughter, sister, wife and mother. Those challenges exist to make us stronger not weaker. As a female artist, I also faced numerous challenges to the extent that I stopped working on my passion. It was during that period of darkness and irrelevance that I recognized the need to get back on my feet and continue chasing my passion of singing. I restarted myself and alhamdulillah, I’m living my dream and working on passion. So, don’t let anyone or anything stop you from doing what you are good at.”
Kusum Kaul
Kusum Kaul, a proud Kashmiri is a communication and Media professional of par excellence and has a rich academic background and is a philanthropist as well .
Kusum Kaul is also Director – Transsphere Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Proprietor – Zest Worldwide Communication, Managing Trustee – Utkarsh Healthcare Foundation .She has this message for women on eve of World women’s day 2016 –

“Women have an equal and important role to play in the civilization development. Indira Gandhi has always been my role model. A strong woman of steel, who steered India out of poverty into a modern India. I was always fascinated by Nehru who chartered his daughter’s mental makeup from jail and faraway places through his letters. I have been brought up with my father’s words. “Gandhiji had four sons and Nehru had one daughter, nobody knows Gandhiji’s sons but everyone knows this daughter.” I have been brought up with this state of mind, she was so frail and delicate in looks but had a brain and determination as strong as steel. Women need to be determined and confident enough to achieve anything is my message. We should all also be more tolerant and humane towards one another and never shun the core of humanity.”
Neelam Singh
Neelam Singh, vivacious and talented actress of Kashmir is known for her acting skills and superb caliber and in field since 17 years . Her first serial was “Tavnich Duniya” in the year 1999.She is currently shinning and performing eminent roles in serials of prestigious TV Channels like Sony Tv,Colours, Life OK, Epic etc. Her message on world women day is .She She has this message for women on eve of World women’s day 2016 –

“Kashmiri women through their diverse roles have shown to world the mettle of their intellect. If I look into my life The childhood days went on normally. After death of my father, my mother really took all the great care of me. Till eight class I studied at Guru Nanak School Baramulla and then shifted to Srinagar for further studies. When I reached 9th standard I started to get offers in TV Serials which I initially refused but after great persuasion I gave it a try and was successful in auditions. I wanted to be a doctor and joining the world of acting came by chance and getting acting offers at early age tempted same. Yes, today I love my work and it became my passion now. Women should never suffocate their dreams but give them platform to shine .We can achieve anything if we remain focused on our work and women should develop tough mettle to survive and thrive. ‘”

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.