Environmental Degradation: Is Anybody Listening!

Environment is a broad term which can be defined as the sum total of all living and non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. Means everything that is around us is the environment. Environment plays a significant role in the existence of life on the earth. Our planet Earth is home for different living species and we all are dependent on the environment for food, air and water and other essential needs.

No one is paying heed towards the degradation of the environment. These are actually the human activities which are directly attributed to the environmental disasters including climatic changes like deforestation, depletion of ozone layer, global warming, overpopulation, pollution etc. The pollution free environment is necessary for health well being. Environmental degradation is increasing at an alarming rate that affects us all. But there are solutions and if we can contribute to planting more and more trees, and create a more sustainable future for communities all around our planet.
We have been witnessing the unprecedented climatic changes across the UT of JK and it is a major environmental degradation because it can cause soil erosion. It can also cause an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms . This can be especially damaging in the areas that are already prone to soil erosion due to their topography. Climatic changes can increase the intensity of floods. This year as of now we have seen a recorded percentage of precipitation which is also a cause of concern. These climatic changes have severely ravaged the paddy saplings. It has been reported that some farmers claim that their saplings or paddy land is without the availability of these saplings. They have been narrating these depressed stories. In other cases climatic change can create longer periods of droughts resulting in weak and insufficient plant growth. Scientists have considered increasing air pollution as the major reason for climate change.
Poverty can  be considered detrimental to environmental degradation. People living Under the poverty line often experience hunger , starvation and insecurity that leads to overexploitation of natural resources. This can lead to deforestation, air pollution and other unsustainable practices that have a negative impact on the environment. People living in the far flung areas are less educated and they may not have access to education  about the environment issues , they may be more likely to engage in activities that are harmful to the environment. We have seen people around us deteriorating day by day.
Deforestation could be another big reason that causes environmental degradation as it disrupts the water cycle and contributes to climate change. Without trees the water cycle is disrupted leading to drought and floods. The government is tough against the timber smugglers and those who are unnecessarily ravaging the green gold. So deforestation Can have long lasting impacts on the environment. We have seen the parks and health resorts where the visitors don’t have the concept of aesthetic knowledge to throw left outs in the dustbin but they are unnecessary in the lawns of parks, paths etc which can also add to the environmental degradation. The left out of junks can be seen everywhere first we have to educate the people how we can deal with the environment. These lefts out either by wind or any other reason reached into the streams, Brooks which have an profound impact on the environment. It contaminates the natural resources which leads to environmental degradation. Another reason is open defecation or heaps of cow dung that too eventually led to environmental degradation. pollution.Environmental pollution has increased at a rapid pace from last Six months. We have seen the streams and water bodies filthy with heaps of left outs in it causing extreme problems to our generation next.
Greenhouse gases and carbon emissions are the main culprits of environmental degradation. Researchers are of the opinion that environmental degradation has an influence on public health. Escalation of environmental degradation adversely affects health and economic activity. Over consumption of natural resources results in environmental degradation. Human health might be at the receiving end as a result of environmental degradation . Areas exposed to toxic air pollutants can cause respiratory problems like Pneumonia and other problems as well.
The main reason behind the environmental degradation is industrial revolution, population explosion, high demand of luxury items in life. Everyone around us is aware about the repercussions of environmental degradation but nobody bothers about it. We hardly pay our attention towards this grave issue, until and unless we are aware the public about the consequences we are deteriorating the future of our generation next. Education about the environment can play a pivotal role. Presently lack of proper education, awareness, and knowledge towards the environment degrades nature and its resources. There is a need to develop strong Environmental education with the responsiveness of humans towards nature for sustainability. There have been a lot of campaigns, Placard showoffs, awareness programs in schools and colleges on 5th June regarding how the environment can be kept safe from deterioration. Proper policy and planning in terms of locality and sector specific approaches are required very much at present moment. We must plant trees as a means of good deeds. Trees are known to improve the quality of the air as well as water by absorbing pollutants realising oxygen and reducing  ozone levels and depletion. It also helps to reduce the temperature of the atmosphere by transpiring and providing shade for humans and animals alike.
– The author is a teacher by profession and teaches at BHS Diver Lolab. He can be reached at farhaanqysar@gmail.com