Environment Archives | Kashmir POST

Looming Himalayan Quake: Tectonic Strain Reaching Critical Point

March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 Editor

Why next biggest earthquake in Himalayas could be triggered by Indians By: CP Rajendran & Kusala Rajendran The Himalayas produced three great earthquakes in the last century alone—1905, 1934 and 1950, but none afterwards. With increasing clarity on the nature of temporal-spatial patterns of earthquakes, there is a consensus about the identifiable gaps along the Himalayas. The central Himalayas are recognised as one such gap, primed for a future large or great earthquake. The long interval of at least 500 years marked by the absence of earthquakes represents a period…

Fasting for Nature: Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike for Ladakh’s Future

March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 Editor

19 Days In, Activist Demands Nature Gets A Seat At The Policy Table As his fast entered the 19th day, Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk called for having “nature representatives” in Parliament in a feeble voice. Drawing parallels between Delhi and the ecologically sensitive Ladakh, Wangchuk proposed “giving nature a voice” in the highest policymaking body of the country, saying that ecological concerns must be given a fair representation. Wangchuk called for the implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in Ladakh to grant indigenous tribes nominal autonomy. Ladakh is…

Quenching the Thirst: Unraveling the Water Crisis in Kashmir Valley

March 8, 2024 Editor

A Precarious Balancing Act By: Javid Amin As the sun beats down relentlessly, regions far beyond Karnataka’s arid landscapes are grappling with a water crisis of their own. The specter of drought is now looming over the picturesque Kashmir Valley, presenting a new disaster in the making. This article ventures beyond the immediate headlines to explore the intricate details of the impending water crisis in Kashmir, shedding light on its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. The Karnataka Prelude: A Warning Echo for Kashmir Before delving into the unfolding crisis in…

Jammu and Kashmir Records Driest, Warmest January in 43 Years

February 8, 2024 Editor

In terms of snowfall or rains, Srinagar city witnessed the second driest January in the past four decades, recording a mere 3.0 mm of precipitation in the month this year, it said. Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar city, witnessed the warmest January in 43 years, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar’s data said. In terms of snowfall or rains, Srinagar city witnessed the second driest January in the past four decades, recording a mere 3.0 mm of precipitation in the month this year, it said. The lowest precipitation in…

Kashmir’s Wetland Jewel Shines Brighter: Chatlam Welcomes Migratory Throngs & Rare Treasures

January 25, 2024 Editor

Amidst a long-drawn-out dry spell, this winter sprang a surprise for bird watchers with a rare guest sighting at the wetlands of south Kashmir’s Pampore area after a long time. The Common shelduck belonging to the Anatidae family was sighted near Chatlam wetland, barely 2 km from Pampore town in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, after many years. Director Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund, and Project Associate -I at Wildlife Institute of India, Parvaiz Yousuf said, “It is a rare bird and was spotted at the wetland after many years.…

The Jhelum River Whispers a Warning: A Looming Water Crisis in Kashmir

January 14, 2024 Editor

The Jhelum River Runs Dry: A Looming Crisis in Kashmir By : Javid Amin The mighty Jhelum River, once a vibrant artery pulsating through the heart of Kashmir, now murmurs a desperate plea. Its once abundant flow, nourishing the land and cradling diverse life, has dwindled to a mere shadow, exposing parched riverbeds and painting a grim picture of an impending water crisis. At Sangam, in South Kashmir, and Asham, in the north, the river has plunged to its all-time lowest levels, a chilling testimony to the fragile balance being…

Gone with the White Wind: Melting Mountains Paint a Grim Picture for Spring Runoff

January 13, 2024 Editor

Gone with the White Wind: Melting Mountains Paint a Grim Picture for Spring Runoff Dry, snowless peaks have cast a shadow on tourism in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh but the impact of the underlying causes on the next few months is far more worrying — for they could portend a warmer spring. The absence of active western disturbances and shortage of rain and snow will have implications for the Rabi (winter) crop and are suggestive of high temperatures early in spring, experts said. In December, the rain deficiency was 79%…

A Silent Alarm Bell: Climate Change Causes Dryspell In Kashmir, Gulmarg’s Snowless Season Highlights Vulnerability of Himalayan Ecoregion

January 10, 2024 Editor

Kashmir’s Silent Winter: A Climate Change Symphony of Loss and Hope By: Javid Amin In the breathtaking tapestry of the Himalayas, where emerald valleys dance with snow-capped peaks, winter usually paints Kashmir in a pristine tapestry of white. Yet, this year, a disquieting silence hangs heavy in the air, broken only by the wind whistling through barren branches. Gulmarg, the glittering crown jewel of winter tourism, lies stark and snowless, its ski slopes yearning for the embrace of fallen flakes. This unprecedented dry spell, a jarring departure from Kashmir’s historical…

Where’s the White Wonderland? Kashmir Awaits Winter Snow, Gulmarg’s White Blanket Stolen

January 8, 2024 Editor

Kashmir’s Snowy Sojourn Interrupted: El Niño Casts a Dry Spell Over Winter Wonderland The ethereal image of Kashmir blanketed in winter’s pristine white seems a distant memory this year. In place of the glistening slopes and powder-soft blanket, Gulmarg and the surrounding valleys wear a new, unsettling attire – one of barren brown slopes and anxious murmurs. Where has Kashmir’s winter wonderland, a crown jewel of Indian tourism, seemingly vanished? An Alarming Aridity: The answer lies in a stark statistic: a 79% rainfall deficit plaguing the Kashmir Valley throughout December…

From Uttarakhand to Kashmir: Understanding the Himalayan Development Dilemma in Depth

November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 Editor

Reevaluating Himalayan Development Models: Lessons from Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse and Kashmir Challenges By: Javid Amin The collapse of a tunnel in Uttarakhand recently has reverberated as more than just a tragic incident; it’s a poignant call to reconsider the development strategies in the Himalayan region. To grasp the implications fully, it’s imperative to widen the lens beyond Uttarakhand, shedding light on the similar challenges faced by regions like Kashmir. The Himalayas, known for their breathtaking landscapes and ecological significance, are experiencing increased human intervention. The Uttarakhand tunnel collapse is a…