Rajouri, Dec 18: A prolonged dry winter, marked by the absence of snowfall in the upper reaches and lack of rainfall in the plains, has begun to severely impact daily life across several parts of Jammu & Kashmir, triggering serious environmental and agricultural concerns.
Experts have warned that the unusual weather pattern points towards a significant climatic shift, largely attributed to the growing impact of global warming.
Biodiversity scientist Dr Shreekant Pant, Director In-charge of the Centre for Biodiversity Studies at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, termed the situation “alarming.”
Dr Pant noted that it is perhaps for the first time that the upper reaches of the region are witnessing a winter without snowfall even by December. He cautioned that the continued absence of snow could lead to acute water stress in the coming months, as the Himalayan ranges serve as vital “water towers” for North India.
“The lack of snowfall at higher altitudes clearly reflects a major shift in weather patterns. This signals serious and long-term climatic changes that could adversely affect ecosystems, biodiversity and human livelihoods,” Dr Pant said. He also said that at a couple of occasions in past one and a half decade, it has been seen that the upper reaches of J&K remained snowless but up to November but this year the dryness in weather is stretching prolonged putting a serious risk on human life as well as plantation.
Earlier, Dr Pant had flagged unseasonal blossoming of some trees including Apricot in the month of November attributing it to global warming. People living near upper reaches, referred as Pir Panjal mountains, are also concerned with the absence of snowfall. ” Although snowfall increases cold wave and we have to make additional arrangements to save ourselves from bone chilling cold after snowfall but the snowfall is an important aspect of weather and normal precipitation is important for a routine and normal weather pattern.” said Kala Ram, a villager living in Dhar Sakri village of Rajouri’s Kotranka sub division. He said, “Snowfall balances temperature, recharges water body, ends dryness in cold and balances the overall environment but this year we are witnessing something unusual.”
“I pray to Almighty to end this dry season and bless the mankind with a healthy shower and snowfall,” said Kala.
Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Javed Ahmed Rana, described the changing weather pattern as a matter of collective concern and called for a unified social approach to tackle the emerging environmental challenges. He said that the ongoing weather shifts pose a serious threat and stressed that it is the collective responsibility of every citizen to work unitedly to mitigate the impact of climate change. Meanwhile, the prolonged dry spell has pushed farmers in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts into distress. The absence of rainfall has stalled germination and hampered the growth of newly sown wheat crops, raising fears of crop failure and potential economic losses for farming communities.
