Srinagar, Mar 17: A coalition of environmental and engineering experts has submitted a comprehensive set of climate change policy recommendations to the Jammu and Kashmir government, warning that the region faces severe and worsening environmental challenges despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The detailed technical recommendations, prepared by the Environmental Policy Group (EPG) in collaboration with the Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu and Kashmir State Centre (IEIJKSC), were formally submitted to Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Finance Commissioner Jal Shakti, Shaleen Kabra, and Commissioner Secretary Sheetal Nanda of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department.
The recommendations emerged from a workshop ‘Water, Weather, and Well-Being: Climate Change in the Kashmir Valley,’ held on March 1 organised by EPG in collaboration with IEIJKSC, which brought together experts from various fields to discuss the multifaceted impacts of climate change on the region. Professor Shakil Ramshoo was the chief guest on the occasion.
“The alarming rate at which our water bodies are deteriorating and agricultural productivity is declining demands immediate governmental intervention,” said Faiz Bakshi, Convenor of the EPG. “This recommendation represents months of research and collaboration between environmental scientists, engineers, and policy experts. Our findings indicate that without swift and decisive action, the ecological balance of J&K will face irreversible damage.”
The recommendations highlight the paradoxical situation facing J&K regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite being one of the lowest contributors to global greenhouse gases, the region is experiencing some of the most severe consequences of climate change.
This disparity underscores the global inequity of climate impacts, with regions like J&K bearing a disproportionate burden while having minimal responsibility for the underlying causes.
Chairman of the IEI J&K State Centre, Iftikhar Ahmad Hakim emphasised in the submission letter that “these changes are expected to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and create new risks. The government must implement effective strategies to mitigate these impacts and promote long-term sustainability.”
The report details several critical challenges confronting the region, including significant declines in water levels in the River Jhelum and its tributaries, with irregular snowmelt patterns affecting river systems and local water storage.
Groundwater tables are also falling due to prolonged dry spells and reduced precipitation. “Environmental degradation continues as water bodies face increasing pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic waste, compounded by illegal land mining activities that disrupt natural water flows. Unpredictable weather and temperature fluctuations have led to decreased crop yields, particularly affecting horticultural activities like apple cultivation. The report specifically highlights the plight of saffron farmers in the Pampore belt, where production has drastically decreased,” the report states.
Public health concerns are rising with increased morbidity and mortality rates linked to adverse climatic conditions, including heatwaves and increased incidence of vector-borne diseases, poor water quality, and nutritional deficiencies. The tourism sector, vital to the region’s economy, has been significantly impacted by reduced snowfall, leading to the cancellation of winter events and affecting winter tourism.
“What makes this crisis particularly unjust is that our region contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are among the most severely affected,” Bakshi said. “Our recommendations provide a roadmap for both mitigation and adaptation strategies that can help safeguard the future of our communities.”
The policy recommendations focus on sustainable water management through rainwater harvesting techniques and stricter pollution controls; climate-resilient agriculture through drought-resistant crop varieties and diversification; enhanced public health infrastructure; and economic diversification through eco-tourism and renewable energy investments.
The experts also called for institutional reforms, including the establishment of a Climate Resilience Task Force, implementation of a “polluter pays principle” through a new tax regime for sectors like tourism, and the creation of a dedicated Climate Change Agency to manage adaptation funds.
“The time for theoretical discussions has passed,” Bakshi said. “We need concrete action plans with clear timelines and accountability measures. Our submission to the government represents a unified voice from the scientific and engineering community calling for urgent policy interventions.”
