SRINAGAR, June 05: Apni Party Youth Provincial President Khalid Rathore on the World Environment Day appealed to the people of J&K to Greenify their lifestyles and avoid using materials that have potential to deplete our environment.

In a statement issued here, Rathore said that a healthy environment is the greatest blessing that mother nature has bestowed on us and to protect it from degradation remains our prime duty.

"The forest covers are dwindling with every passing day which must be a matter of great concern for us. The recent heart-tearing incident of man-animal conflict in Budgam is an outcome of unbridled forest felling which needs to be halted at once," he remarked.

Rathore said that use of plastic has also considerably increased in the valley from the past two decades which has depleted our land and water bodies equally.

"The condition of Dal Lake, Wular Lake and Jhelum River is appalling. Rapid unplanned urbanisation mixed with dumping of sewage and garbage into these water bodies has choked up aquatic life. Needless to point out the unceasing encroachments that receive a silent nod from the LAWDA officials is a matter of great concern. If this trend continues, then within a span of 50 years our future generations will be left with zero percent drinkable water," he said.

He urged the administration to take strong notice of such activities that are proving hazardous to our environment and also requested the people in general to become more environment conscious so that with joint efforts from every side the environment with all its components is saved.