Opinion | Scary weather- Unimaginable challenges Ahead

“Oh Allah, Shower upon us abundant rain, beneficial not harmful, swiftly not delayed. “

As soon as the days passed, hair-raising conditions comes to face. People through out the country seemed worrisome both with foggy and sunny days which almost used to be wet and snow usually. Looking at the previous years the earth was coverd with white blanket, frost and icicles across Jand K especially our tourist resorts like Gulmarg,Sonumarg and Yusmarg. But this year (18Jan.2024)it is quite contrary.This is happening because the local changes like cutting down trees and building more in cities are making it worse. We people did little know about sustainability.we have hardly left anything for our generation next because of our egoism and overexploitation. We even exploited  and diluted our natural natural resources, left them filthy and unhygienic, for our narrowed means. This is simply wrath upon us from our natural resources, that we find ourselves between devil and deep sea.

   Weather turned out to be warm and warm with each passing day, even in coldest season 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪-𝘒𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯 which is not a healthy sign but with full of challenges ahead. Here I recall a saying from our forefathers who used to say that when train service/rail service will be setup in kashmir valley, the cold seasons will turn into warm, the accumulation of snow will be either less or nothing. For a layman the construction of rail service, tunnels drilling and dugging in hills areas  would have accumulated the pollution, leaving it polluted and warm. Things are not looking great. Even the little snow that does fall quickly disappears,leaving everyone disappointed.The scarcity of water becomes common. The average temperature in JK is increased.The trees will bear the leaves and buds even in the January and February. Aren’t we approaching towards the same results which they have predicted decades before.

    People depend on tourism in Himalayas like Kashmir are facing big problems and challenges because of strange weather.Here the winter games is popular across the world like skiing, sledging etc, but now the snow is acting weird.Due to warmer, our travel agents and hotels are witnessing fewer people. The tourism business is gradually dwindling. If these weather conditions may extends same then there would be absolute and unimaginable challenges before fruit growers, agriculturalists, and those who are at the helm of affairs. May Allahs blessing be upon us.

 In face of climatic challenges education sector can play vital role by incorporating climatic awareness in schools and colleges. This can help to aware our younger generations. Climate change has  had a drastic impact across the globe leading to immense weather patterns and kashmir has not remained unaffected that have set tough challenges for experimental experts and people as well.

 The weather pattern in kashmir valley has become irregular and uncertain. When it comes to precipitation, it becomes terrible and incessant, when it comes sunny then it feels unbearable which eventually depicts the global warming. The environmentalists are of the opinion that fluctuating climate such as less snowfall or nothing, heavy rains, cloudbursts etc were due to existing change in global weather. Now it is 17th of January 2024 Kashmir valley is still without an inch of snowfall which clearly indicates pattern is changing continuously. The other challenge people are facing the scarcity of water. With each passing day the portal water is gradually decreasing.

   The prevailing climatic scenario is quite alarming in Kashmir particularly for fruit growers, farmers and agriculturalists.The most vulnerable to this scarcity is agricultural sector which is mostly dependent upon the water surface irrigation.The seasonal patterns over last one decade have lost their distinctiveness particularly in Kashmir valley.

  We need to learn a lessons about how developed nations are struggling due to climate change. The damage to the environment is irreparable. There is need to undertake massive plantation drive, minimize pollution, emissions from industries, from vehicles and bricklins. Dwelling in deep slumber would cost heavily. We can prevent our environment by further damaging if we possess the environmental awareness. There is also the great role of nation builders who can imbibe our young generations about the concept of sustainable development. We are duty bound to preserve our environment for our future generations. Planting more and more trees could surely help to minimize severe climatic changes.

Qysar ul islam shah teacher by profession, hails from Sonnar Darpora.