The Group of Concerned Citizens J&K (GCC) has yet again raised alarm at rampant vandalisation of forests , mountainous terrains, water bodies and other natural resources in the name of infrastructure projects.
In a statement here today the Group said: “Frequent rain disasters of the kind witnessed in Rajouri and Poonch over last two days are yet another reminder to stop the environmental vandalism let loose in the name of development and daily life activities. The nature is coming back hard to warn of more serious fall-outs in future. That we in Jammu and Kashmir specifically , and other Himalayan states generally, have continued to disturb the natural balance of our mountains, robbed forests, disturbed the course of rivers, encroached water bodies and wetlands and carried on with unplanned constructions everywhere are some of the main reasons responsible for the devastation. If no corrective steps are taken and no course correction made, the future is likely to be more dangerous and uncertain “
GCC has expressed its frustration over the “inaction” of the government when it comes to Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA) of development projects before execution , prevention of environment unfriendly activities of the public at large and protection of the natural assets.
“That the Himalayan ecosystems have reached a breaking point needs to be acknowledged by the Governments in the Himalayan states including Jammu and Kashmir, as also by the Central Government , to put an end to the unabated vandalisation of these natural ecosystems”.
The Group believes that approval to execution of any development project in and around tourism sites, eco fragile Zones and other enviro-sensitive areas should finally depend on the outcome of Environment Impact Assessment.
“We urge the UT and Central Government to make sure that EIA is not dispensed with in any case whatsoever. The recent flurry of 15 Cloudbursts over 14 days– 12 in Chenab Valley , 3 in Aawora Reshwaeri/ Dewathu in Anantnag , besides incidents of flash floods/ mudslides and land erosion in Bhalesa , Thathri, Tuleil and Gurez should be indication enough of a larger disaster awaiting eruption on some other trigger “.
