Anantnag, Oct. 3: Kashmir’s fragile ecology is under growing pressure from climate change, pollution, plastic waste and encroachments, CPI(M) MLA and Chairman of the Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said Saturday, calling for sustained efforts to protect the region’s natural resources.
Tarigami was speaking at a programme on climate change and its impacts organised by Prime Post at Achabal, where environmental experts, intellectuals, students and people from different walks of life discussed the region’s environmental challenges.
He said climate change had emerged as a serious challenge for Jammu and Kashmir and called for collective efforts to address its impact.
Tarigami stressed the need to protect forests and water bodies from pollution and encroachments and ensure sustainable use of natural resources.
He also raised concern over the growing use and improper disposal of plastic and polythene, urging authorities to effectively implement existing environmental regulations and take concrete measures to curb the problem.
“Environmental protection is not the sole responsibility of the government,” Tarigami said, urging communities, civil society, students and young people to take an active role in conservation and environmental awareness.
He expressed concern over pollution, encroachments and the shrinking of water bodies and rivers, including Dal Lake and the River Jhelum, and stressed the need for effective monitoring and long-term measures to protect Kashmir’s natural resources.
Tarigami also appealed to people to avoid unnecessary use of plastic and polythene and keep their surroundings clean.
The speakers discussed climate change and its impact on Jammu and Kashmir, protection of water bodies, sustainable management of natural resources and greater public participation in tackling environmental degradation.
Among those present were senior National Conference MLA’s Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Advocate Riyaz Ahmad Khan, writer Zareef Ahmad Zareef, activist Advocate Nadeem Qadri and religious preacher Maulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri, besides environmental experts, officials and students.
Students attending the programme pledged to contribute toward keeping their surroundings clean and protecting the environment.
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