Opinion | Earth day spirit vis-à-vis environment in Kashmir

Earth and the resources of earth make life possible on it. If we were to imagine our lives without these resources, that would not be possible. As life can’t be possible without sunshine, air, vegetation, and water. However, this is soon going to be our reality if we do not save the earth now.The resources earth provides us with are limited. They are blessings which we do not count. Humans have become selfish and are utilizing the earth’s resources at a rapid rate. We need to protect them in order to protect our lives. This is so because man and all living organisms depend on the earth for their survival.It is right to say that saving the earth is the need of the hour would be an understatement. All the activities of humans driven by greed and selfishness have caused immense damage to the earth. If it is degraded,it is beyond the repair. Almost all the natural resources are now polluted due to these activities.When all these resources will be under threat, naturally the lives of all living organisms will be under peril. That is why we need to save the earth at all costs. Taking all other issues as a secondary line and saving the earth should primarily be concerned for the existence of humanity and other living organisms.BecauseEarth is the only planet which can sustain life on it. A drastic change must be undertaken to accept the challenge at grassroot level by involving all the stakeholders associated with the Earth’s environment.We do not have a planet B which we can move onto. This makes it all the more serious to save the earth and save our lives.Everyone must come together for the same cause, as we are inhabitants of this green planet.

How to save our Mother Earth
As all human activities are impacting the lives of other organisms, humans only need to take steps to protect the earth and its resources. A little effort will go a long way on everyone’s end. Each action will make a difference. For instance, if one man decides to stop drinking bottled water, thousands of plastic can be saved from consuming.Furthermore, we can start by planting more trees to make up for the deforestation that is happening these days at a rapid rate. When we plant more trees, ecological balance can be restored and we can improve the quality of life.
Similarly, we must stop wasting water. When done on individual levels, this will create a huge impact on conserving water. We must not pollute our water bodies by dumping waste in it. It is essential to save water most importantly as it is running out rapidly.
In short, the government and common people must come together to save the earth. We can make people aware of the consequences of not saving the Earth, the general public can be awarded by organising different programs like awareness campaigns, dramas, Panchayat level meetings and community based conservation clubs.In addition to this,there is a great role of Universities, colleges and schools to highlight the importance of Earth and environment by organising different levels of seminars, model competitions, essay writings, workshops and other programs at institution level. If all these collective efforts start happening, we can surely save our planet earth and make it brighter than earlier.
On April 22,1970,20 million Americans took to the streets and parks and auditoriums to demonstrate on behalf of a healthy, sustainable environment.Earth day achieved support from all classes of the society such as rich,poor, urban, rural, farmers, politicians and common public.The first Earth day led to the creation of clean Air Act,the clean Water Act, and the endangered species Act.This day later on achieved support across the length and breadth of the globe and is celebrated on April 22 every year.Earth day isn’t just one day to support out of the year.We need to stop and and appreciate the Earth through lifestyle changes and daily effort.Apart from this, in our country too, the experience is celebrated with great enthusiasm.But in our country this day is limited to celebrating only and especially in our Kashmir, this day is not only limited to celebrating, but also the importance of this day is not well highlighted.Air pollution in Kashmir has increased rapidly over the last few decades due to brick kilns, burning of fuel and wood, industrialisation and above all which experts say that they violate environmental rules and regulations. With the air getting polluted in the Himalayan region on each passing day, people fear that the valley is becoming another Delhi.Brick kilns are a major factor of air pollution in the valley. And it needs an eco-friendly solution.As per various reports, most of the manufacturers do not have license or they have not renewed their license. It is a naked truth that brick kilns fields are not following any environmental law. There are over 500 brick kilns mostly in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.As the brick kilns units are using the old traditional bull trench technology, UT Pollution Control Board (UCB) had asked the brick kilns owners operating in Jammu and Kashmir to switch over from the traditional bull trench technology to eco-friendly zigzag technology within a year as Government of India has fixed timeline to bring down carbon emissions from Brick kilns, from the existing 750 mg/Nm3 level to 250 mg/Nm3, keeping in view that this is the second major contributor of greenhouse gases emissions after thermal gas plants in the country.
Despite being famous for producing saffron, almonds and walnuts, many scenic spots of Jammu and Kashmir are losing their charm due to pollution emanating from industrial activities.Supposedly, in Khrew township of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, six cement factories are operating in the area. These cement factories have made the lives of local residents hell and have also largely impacted flora and fauna.“Winter Burst of Pristine Kashmir Valley Air,” the study by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and University of Kashmir, has found that burning of coal contributed about 156 tonnes of Particulate Matter 2.5 of the total emission of 163.62 tonnes of PM 2.5.of the total emission of 163.62 tonnes of PM2.5 worse than Delhi.
Kashmir has always been known for its mountains, lakes, forests, food and water bodies. But now it looks like the valley is in the limelight for being a casualty of air pollution.Moreover, almost all water bodies of Jammu and Kashmir have become highly polluted. The water of the rivers like Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Tawi, and seasonal streams are highly polluted due to industrial effluents, disposal of organic wastes vis-à-vis disposal of night soil and animal waste.Due to the lack of proper waste disposal system, most of Kashmir’s water resources are getting polluted. The pollutants – garbage, liquid waste, human excreta, industrial waste, and so on – are directly or indirectly thrown into water bodies at most of the places across the Valley; experts are ringing the alarm bells saying water pollution levels are rising with each passing day.Until a few decades ago, Kashmiris would use water of the Jehlum for drinking purposes, but now the same river is filled with dirt and pollution. The sewage, drainage from the residential and commercial places is emptied in the Jhelum almost everywhere from upstream in South up to down in North Kashmir. And, the same is the case with most of the lakes, which used to be a major source of food and drinking water until a few decades ago.
In the end I can say  a number of questions arise in my mind that,Who is responsible Government or general public? How can the Earth day spirit be developed among Kashmiries? How can we inculcate the habit of celebrating Earth Day in Kashmiri people? Are we still very raw in our minds or do we deliberately conspire to pollute the environment? Aren’t we  a part of this Earth or do we go on believing that we have no importance in the environment?
Now, let’s be a part of this celebration and apply all measures to protect our Earth(Jannate-Bai-Nazeer) from environmental pollution.Let’s Re-Use, Reduce and Recycle the things. use glass bottles, reusable bags, and reusable cups. Avoid buying disposable goods such as paper towels, plastic bottles, and plastic bags. Start a composting and recycling program in communities where there are none. This will help cut down our waste. Give full cooperation to the Government laws,rules which govern the improving quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and abating environmental pollution in your area.  

– The writer can be reached at rafakatrafiqm@gmail.com