Editorial | Kashmir Needs Climate Action

With temperatures rising in Kashmir day by day, climate change is no longer a theoretical threat but a lived experience. The Valley, which was famous for its amicable summers and snowy winters, is now experiencing prolonged dry spells, erratic rains, receding glaciers, dwindling water bodies, and increasing heatwaves. These are the unmistakable and urgent symptoms. What the Valley needs today is not merely acknowledgment of the issue, but a common and strategic effort to safeguard the region’s vulnerable environment.

This summer has been one of the hottest in living memory. Mercury levels have crossed all-time records from Srinagar to the upper reaches of Kupwara and Pahalgam. Farmers in the region talk of delayed rains and their devastating effect on crops. Pastureland is receding in the upper belts according to herders. Urban centers are struggling with water shortages, and lakes such as Dal, Wular, Khushalsar, and Gilsar are suffocating under pollution and encroachments. Evidently, Kashmir’s ecological fabric is under stress.

But this test also offers a chance to reimagine development, to restore our planet, and to build climate resilience. Here’s what needs to be done.

Jammu & Kashmir requires a dedicated climate action policy which is enforceable, adequately funded, and in line with international climate objectives. There are currently environment departments and conservation legislation in place, but enforcement remains weak. A J&K climate mission, including district plans and quantifiable goals, is the hour of need. Climate risk assessments should inform urban planning, water consumption, tourism, agriculture, and energy use.

Nature is our first line of defense. Wetlands, forests, rivers, and lakes must be protected at once. The future of the Dal, Wular, and other lakes is a symbol of the larger ecological distress in Kashmir. Illegal encroachments, untreated sewage, and siltation have choked these water bodies. The government’s Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) needs to be further strengthened and provided with resources. Similarly, community involvement from lakefront residents to volunteers must be incentivized and made aware.”.

Afforestation campaigns cannot be mere seasonal photo ops. There are plantations of native species, the refurbishing of depleted forest cover, and an end to the smuggling of timber that is needed for long-term environmental security.

Tourism, a majorstay of the Kashmir economy, needs to now turn into eco-tourism. The Valley welcomes millions of tourists each year many of them in ecologically sensitive areas such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. The increased foot traffic comes with plastic trash, water needs, and motor emissions. Unchecked infrastructure should be replaced with tourist capacity restrictions, stringent waste management regulations, and eco-friendly certifications for accommodations and travel operations. Encourage homestays and rural eco-circuits that link benefits to local people and minimize the environmental impact.

Srinagar and other cities are growing rapidly with no attention to natural drainage courses and flood plains. Wetland encroachments such as Hokersar, Bemina, and flood channels aggravate urban flooding. There is a need for a transition towards climate-resilient infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, recycling of water, and flood basin restoration.

The Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Jal Shakti ministries will have to provide water distribution equally — but they also need to campaign for water saving. Dry taps during summer 2025 are a reminder that even a water-surplus state like Kashmir is not escape-proof.

Kashmir has a youthful demography. Activating students and youth on climate action education, green jobs, innovation, and awareness is possibly the best long-term plan. Schools and colleges need to bring in local climate science, green campus initiatives, and stimulate research on Himalayan ecology. Organizations such as SKUAST and University of Kashmir can set the example through evidence-based interventions.

Kashmir remains heavily reliant on imported power and diesel generators during winter, but the Valley does hold potential for small hydropower, solar, and biomass energy. The government needs to push rooftop solar schemes, energy-efficient buildings, and incentives for enterprises that adopt cleaner energy. These industries can also create jobs in installation, maintenance, and green manufacturing.

The climate emergency is real, but so is the possibility of action. From policymakers and religious leaders to farmers and technology innovators, all have roles to play. The Valley’s beauty and biodiversity have been our pride — now they must become our responsibility. Let Kashmir not be a climate casualty. Let it be a model of ecological resilience and sustainable development. There’s still time but little. The time to act is now.