Srinagar, Apr 22 (KNO): As the world observed Earth Day on April 22, experts have sounded a clarion call for urgent and collective action to safeguard the environment, saying that investing in our planet is essential for a safe and sustainable future.
Celebrated globally to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainability, Earth Day 2025 comes at a time when ecological concerns—such as pollution, climate change, deforestation and the reckless exploitation of natural resources—are posing an existential threat to life on Earth.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the environmentalists in Jammu and Kashmir expressed deep concern over the growing environmental degradation, particularly in ecologically fragile regions like the Kashmir Valley.
Dr Suhaib, an environmental expert, said every segment of society—including governments, businesses, and ordinary citizens—must express gratitude for the Earth's bounties and shoulder the responsibility to protect them.
“We must be accountable. The time has come to invest in our planet for a safe and sustainable future,” he said. “People must not only support but also advocate for environmental protection and climate action.”
Dr Suhaib called for awareness, saying real action will only come when people understand the gravity of issues like melting glaciers, disappearing forests, and polluted water bodies.
Dr Omar, another environmental expert, said, “In our region, Kashmir, over 70% of glaciers have vanished, and fertile agricultural lands—including those used for apple, pear, and plum cultivation—are being rapidly converted for non-farm uses like highways and railway construction."
The Jhelum basin, once rich in wetlands, has also suffered significant losses. According to a report, the total area of major wetlands (over 25 hectares) declined from 288.96 sq km in 1972 to 266.45 sq km in 2019.
“Around 22 wetlands within and around Srinagar city alone have vanished due to urban sprawl, with many of them reclaimed for government and private establishments,” Dr Omar said. “Ironically, these new constructions are now at high risk of flooding, highlighting the short-sightedness of such development."
Another major concern is the wanton destruction of Karewas—ancient sedimentary plateaus known for their agricultural and archaeological value. Between 1995 and the present, massive portions of Karewas in Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla have been razed for clay used in constructing the Qazigund-Baramulla rail line. This has led to massive silt accumulation in the Jhelum River and its flood spill channels, severely impacting the natural flow and increasing flood risks across the valley.
Dr Omar said the government must work towards sustainable tourism and allow only persons at any spot as per its capacity.
As the Earth faces unprecedented environmental challenges, experts said the survival of future generations depends on the decisions made today. “Earth Day should not be a symbolic gesture once a year, but a daily commitment from every individual and institution to protect our only home,” they said—(KNO)