- YES, WE CAN DO IT
IF IN THE GENERAL
MASSES AN ECO-FRIENDLY MINDSET DEVELOPS ,WE CAN EXPECT
POLLUTION FREE KASHMIR
by
TANVEER HASSAN
- Environment is a
dynamic and complex phenomenon. Its meaning is multi
dimensional. The growing interference of man in the
balanced ecosystem of nature has resulted in creation of
an environment, which is unfriendly to man himself as well
as to others living and non living organisms. The natural
environment is at cross roads because of continuous
so-called ‘development’ of man made environment. The main
cause of environmental degradation is the human beings
themselves. The mad cat race between the nations has, over
last several centuries, exploited the environment to such
an extent that today there is ever increasing voices of
alarm.
As far as the environment of our own valley is concerned,
we can do a lot to regain the ‘lost paradise’ on earth. We
have been taking our share of air, water, land, energy and
space from the environment. WE ALL ARE POLLUTERS.
Pollution can’t be stopped but it can be reduced to a safe
limit. The condition is that we all have to understand our
duty to take care of environment and seek solutions to all
environmental problems at local, regional and global
level, and to play our part in developing a more
sustainable society. All valleyites should think globally
and act locally. It is possible to reduce environmental
pollution in the valley by taking following measures:-
CHANGE THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE: we all are only
Almighty’s stewards to manage His ‘paradise’ well.
‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’ must be convinced
especially in slum areas, crowded & busy markets and
neglected roadsides through mass media. Environmental
studies should be introduced in the academics right from
the primary class so that the children become aware about
the importance of the environment. Regular campaigns are
required in the valley. N.G.O’s and G.O’s should take
steps to generate ‘public awareness’ by conducting
seminars, debates, quiz competitions, etc regarding
environment.
PLANT TREES: Trees reduce various types of
pollution; purify air by absorbing CO2, releasing O2,
absorbing & dissipating noise and lowering temperature.
The recent data shows that the forest cover of J & K is a
meager of 19% but it should have been 66% for the state to
be ecologically as well as economically sound since ours
is a hilly state.Afforestation is a best possible solution
to save the man from natural threats like floods, drought,
soil erosion and landslide. Green belts reduce all types
of pollution, so massive tree plantation is required
especially at schools, factories, hospitals, and colonies
in the city. An ‘ECO-Park’ is required in each colony.
Garden plants are better than lawn ones for absorbing CO2,
so opt for garden plants. Grow potted plants in the homes
as well.
CONSERVE DAL LAKE: If Kashmir is the ‘crown’ of
India, then I would consider Dal as the ‘jewel’ in this
crown. Dal has both ecological and economical importance
in the valley. It plays prime role in the tourism industry
of Kashmir. About 60,000 people live in the lake’s
catchment area and eke out their livelihood from the lake.
So measures should be taken to conserve the lake which has
already shrunk 50% in its volume. Some of the
Eco-conservative measures are -
1. Errecting barriers to check debris & sediment flow
especially in Hazratbal basin, and its safe disposal.
2. Modification of houseboats and collection of wastage
generated by them with the help of floating garbage
collector or by modification of sewerage system.
3. Recycling of wastage to produce manure, electricity and
gas for cooking purposes.
4. Deweeding of the lake and its conversion into compost.
5. Partcipation of people.
6. Integrated management plan of lake and its catchment
areas.
7. Active part of concerned authorities viz, LAWDA, DDA,
SPCB etc.
CONTROL POPULATION: More people mean more filth,
more vehicles and fewer resources to go around. Use of
human resources in a profitable way as it is done in China
that is more populated yet much more developed than India.
All the garbage outlets and drainage systems should be
cleaned at regular intervals. Garbage should be thrown in
dustbins, receptacles or garbage centers where from the
corporation sweepers should remove timely and dispose off
at suitable dumping sites. No rubbish heaps should be seen
lying any where. Polythene should be completely banned and
alternative products like jute bags, paper envelops etc
should be used.
Efforts are need to limit growth of pollution causing
industries as well as automobiles. The old vehicles should
not be allowed to move in the city. No industry or
vehicles should pour out unfiltered smoke and pollute the
air we breathe. Moreover, there should be a check on the
noise levels created by horns of automobiles whether are
under permissible levels. Eco-cultural programmes should
be incorporated in cultural activities of the colleges.
Heavy fines should be imposed on those violating
environmental laws. Penalize those who throw garbage on
roads, spit or urinate in the open. Singapore, once the
filthiest city in the world, is now one of the cleanest
cities with the strong legal penalties imposed on the
defaulting persons, 50 dollars even for throwing cigarette
ash on roads. Pakistani cities under martial law of Ayub
Khan had become very clean as a result of heavy fines for
fouling of public places and throwing of garbage on
streets. Therefore, there should be strict implementation
of pollution control norms and severe punishment to all
those who violate the law.
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Kashmir:The
Most Dangerous Game
