Rashid adds his voice to those worried about Kashmir’s worsening environment
We and Our Environment
Syed Adfar Rashid Shah (Watlar, Ganderbal)
One fine morning, I was on my way to Research Centre, on the way I came across a rally of school children shouting environment friendly slogans. I observed all the children were happy and overwhelmed to participate in the rally. Their concern was personified from their banners and their slogans. They were worried about their environment. They were anger but failed to express their anguish. They were annoyed not with themselves but with adults and grown ups who have turned indifferent and callous towards the environment.
They were resentful towards the authorities and law regulating agencies which only framed only laws but never care for their implementation. They were anger with media which they believe isn’t working properly and not forcing the government to practice what they preach. They are anguished with so called civil society which always holds seminars and symposiums but never work to put in practice the findings of those seminars.
Recently our Srinagar Municipal imposed the ban of the use, sales and manufacture of the polythene. The agencies were active in enforcing the ban and within weeks it was declared polythene free zone. For few days the corporation was proactive seizing the polythene bags from markets and shopkeepers.
But now wherever we turn our eyes polythene is seen. The declaration that the polythene is banned has fallen on ground. Every vendor, shopkeepers are using polythene bags. Even in marriage ceremony the use of the polythene hasn’t been stopped. The question is where from this polythene comes. If corporation is to be believed they have formed market regulating agencies and market checking squads then how come the polythene is used. Where have these squads gone and importantly what are they doing.
Everyone is worried about the sad plight of Dal and other water bodies but neither government nor the civil society is doing anything.
We present papers at national and international conferences and scream from the top of our lungs about the deteriorating condition of our environment yet no ice seems to break. We have Wular, Anchar and Nigeen lakes and numerous other resources but all are facing the threat due to illegal constructions and encroachments. We are to be hold responsible and accountable for the degradation of our environment. We have a role in forest depletion, pollution, and global warming and climatic change.
Our state is in sorry state of affairs. If something won’t be done, our environment and surrounding will be lost forever. Bans wont do us good unless people aren’t are sensitized about the environment nothing is going help us.