BREAKING NEWS
These acts of ecocide lead to significant environmental changes that fall under the legal definition of ecocide. Eutrophication has turned once-pristine lakes into oxygen-depleted ecosystems dominated by invasive species, which leads to fish deaths.
The natural heritage of Kashmir is well known for its serene beauty, lush green hills, gushing waters, snow-capped mountains, and emerald meadows. These characteristics are essential to its ecological and cultural legacy and set it apart from the rest of the nation. However, it is vulnerable to many natural calamities because of its locational attributes, as it is located in fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas Mountain. Recent development efforts are stressing this peaceful landscape and the potential of natural physical resources prioritized without considering ecocide, which is inflicting irreparable damages to biodiversity and is expected to severely harm the environment and biodiversity. The ecocide problems tantamount to “blue crimes” The situation of occurrence of hazards may worsen due to what are called "blue crimes." This term blue crimes describes the over use and deterioration of water resources through mismanagement, indiscriminate actions that threaten aquatic environments resources and issues like water pollution, encroachments on water bodies, disposal of untreated wastewater, and unauthorized resource extraction all are covered in the domain of blue crimes. For survival and sustainability, these blue crimes, such as pollution and habitat destruction, to the very existence of life. They are closely relate to ecocide, which is being viewed as an international crime under laws like the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Many countries have already created laws to address blue crimes.
In Kashmir, the effects are visible around iconic lakes like Dal, Wular, and Anchar, as well as Hokarsar wetlands, marshes, and rivers like Jhelum and Doodhganga. Low-lying areas and wetlands face violations of environmental laws by various stakeholders, including public agencies and the government. These actions have collectively contributed to and are responsible for environmental decline. People living near water bodies, as well as politicians and ineffective bureaucrats, are deeply involved in the current water crisis, which is marked by negligence, illegal activities, and unregulated development. This situation leads to eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and shrinking water bodies. These developments threaten Kashmir's rich natural resources, including its unique floating gardens, native fish, and tourism-based economy, while increasing the risk of floods. Water resources are primarily polluted by the government, which disposes of more than 85 percent of the generated wastewater directly into major water bodies without treatment. About 600 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater is produced in urban J&K, but only about 60 mgd is treated. The rest is Pumped untreated, highlighting the dire condition of water resources and the risk of losing sustainability.
Abuse of Environmental Legislation
Public institutions and individuals in Kashmir, who should uphold and enforce environmental laws, have blatantly violated these rules. They have become significant offenders due to their inaction and policy failures. For example, LAWDA has faced criticism for ineffective sewage treatment and for not removing encroachments despite Supreme Court orders since 2001. Untreated waste from Srinagar's urban expansion continues to flow into lakes. Deforestation and riverbed mining near these water bodies harm hydrology and increase sedimentation. Residents of Dal have built illegal structures encroaching on open waters, releasing untreated sewage and causing heavy metal pollution. Illegal fishing, pesticide runoff, and wetland conversion by surrounding villages violate fisheries and wetland laws, harming biodiversity and promoting harmful algal blooms. Rapid urban growth, unlawful developments near lake shores, and tourism-related pollution further worsen the situation. Wealthy homeowners encroach on hills and shores, while residents of towns and cities dump untreated wastewater directly into lakes, rivers, and flood spill channels, intensifying ecological damage.
Environmental Changes and Ecological Collapse
These acts of ecocide lead to significant environmental changes that fall under the legal definition of ecocide. Eutrophication has turned once-pristine lakes into oxygen-depleted ecosystems dominated by invasive species, which leads to fish deaths. The eutrophication of water bodies particularly the of Dal Lake, has shrunk in size from 22 to 18 km², while Wular Lake's spatial spread has declined by 30 percent due to geomorphic factors and encroachment. All the water bodies are observing a heavy dose of pollution, including metal, micro-plastic pollution, and fecal matter. Habitat loss for migratory birds and deforestation in catchment areas,, along with flashfloods are contributing to a cascading ecological collapse.
Socio-Economic Consequences
The eco-degradation of Kashmir's water bodies has direct impacts on the region's tourism-dependent economy, fisheries, agriculture, and public health. Reportedly tourism revenue has dropped significantly, with houseboat occupancy decreasing by 20 percent, resulting in annual losses of Rs. 5000 crore. Due to impact on aquatic life , fish yields are falling, leading to job shifts and emigration. Polluted water causes health issues among Dal residents, and crop yields on floating gardens suffer due to tainted irrigation supplies. Property values in affected areas either fall or stagnate, affecting livelihood economic vitality, increase in poverty, and environmental depletion worsening the social milieu, including gender disparities empowerment.
A collective responsibility
In view of the growing environmental concerns and extensive debates at various forums ecocide awareness in gaining momentum with every passing day. Ecocide and blue crimes involving violation of environmental laws in Kashmir, present a multi- pronged threat to rich natural heritage, driven lack of pro-activeness and disrespect and violations of laws by stakeholders. Immediate changes and reforms are imperative to streamline the enforcement, encourage in community driven initiatives, boost sustainable tourism, and legally uphold ecocide as protecting Kashmir's lakes and wetlands is not just an environmental necessity only. If left unchecked, ecocide and blue crimes could cause severe damage to ecology and living conditions in the future, putting both human survival and the rich biodiversity of Kashmir at risk
Email:--------------------------------hamwani24@gmail.com
These acts of ecocide lead to significant environmental changes that fall under the legal definition of ecocide. Eutrophication has turned once-pristine lakes into oxygen-depleted ecosystems dominated by invasive species, which leads to fish deaths.
The natural heritage of Kashmir is well known for its serene beauty, lush green hills, gushing waters, snow-capped mountains, and emerald meadows. These characteristics are essential to its ecological and cultural legacy and set it apart from the rest of the nation. However, it is vulnerable to many natural calamities because of its locational attributes, as it is located in fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas Mountain. Recent development efforts are stressing this peaceful landscape and the potential of natural physical resources prioritized without considering ecocide, which is inflicting irreparable damages to biodiversity and is expected to severely harm the environment and biodiversity. The ecocide problems tantamount to “blue crimes” The situation of occurrence of hazards may worsen due to what are called "blue crimes." This term blue crimes describes the over use and deterioration of water resources through mismanagement, indiscriminate actions that threaten aquatic environments resources and issues like water pollution, encroachments on water bodies, disposal of untreated wastewater, and unauthorized resource extraction all are covered in the domain of blue crimes. For survival and sustainability, these blue crimes, such as pollution and habitat destruction, to the very existence of life. They are closely relate to ecocide, which is being viewed as an international crime under laws like the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Many countries have already created laws to address blue crimes.
In Kashmir, the effects are visible around iconic lakes like Dal, Wular, and Anchar, as well as Hokarsar wetlands, marshes, and rivers like Jhelum and Doodhganga. Low-lying areas and wetlands face violations of environmental laws by various stakeholders, including public agencies and the government. These actions have collectively contributed to and are responsible for environmental decline. People living near water bodies, as well as politicians and ineffective bureaucrats, are deeply involved in the current water crisis, which is marked by negligence, illegal activities, and unregulated development. This situation leads to eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and shrinking water bodies. These developments threaten Kashmir's rich natural resources, including its unique floating gardens, native fish, and tourism-based economy, while increasing the risk of floods. Water resources are primarily polluted by the government, which disposes of more than 85 percent of the generated wastewater directly into major water bodies without treatment. About 600 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater is produced in urban J&K, but only about 60 mgd is treated. The rest is Pumped untreated, highlighting the dire condition of water resources and the risk of losing sustainability.
Abuse of Environmental Legislation
Public institutions and individuals in Kashmir, who should uphold and enforce environmental laws, have blatantly violated these rules. They have become significant offenders due to their inaction and policy failures. For example, LAWDA has faced criticism for ineffective sewage treatment and for not removing encroachments despite Supreme Court orders since 2001. Untreated waste from Srinagar's urban expansion continues to flow into lakes. Deforestation and riverbed mining near these water bodies harm hydrology and increase sedimentation. Residents of Dal have built illegal structures encroaching on open waters, releasing untreated sewage and causing heavy metal pollution. Illegal fishing, pesticide runoff, and wetland conversion by surrounding villages violate fisheries and wetland laws, harming biodiversity and promoting harmful algal blooms. Rapid urban growth, unlawful developments near lake shores, and tourism-related pollution further worsen the situation. Wealthy homeowners encroach on hills and shores, while residents of towns and cities dump untreated wastewater directly into lakes, rivers, and flood spill channels, intensifying ecological damage.
Environmental Changes and Ecological Collapse
These acts of ecocide lead to significant environmental changes that fall under the legal definition of ecocide. Eutrophication has turned once-pristine lakes into oxygen-depleted ecosystems dominated by invasive species, which leads to fish deaths. The eutrophication of water bodies particularly the of Dal Lake, has shrunk in size from 22 to 18 km², while Wular Lake's spatial spread has declined by 30 percent due to geomorphic factors and encroachment. All the water bodies are observing a heavy dose of pollution, including metal, micro-plastic pollution, and fecal matter. Habitat loss for migratory birds and deforestation in catchment areas,, along with flashfloods are contributing to a cascading ecological collapse.
Socio-Economic Consequences
The eco-degradation of Kashmir's water bodies has direct impacts on the region's tourism-dependent economy, fisheries, agriculture, and public health. Reportedly tourism revenue has dropped significantly, with houseboat occupancy decreasing by 20 percent, resulting in annual losses of Rs. 5000 crore. Due to impact on aquatic life , fish yields are falling, leading to job shifts and emigration. Polluted water causes health issues among Dal residents, and crop yields on floating gardens suffer due to tainted irrigation supplies. Property values in affected areas either fall or stagnate, affecting livelihood economic vitality, increase in poverty, and environmental depletion worsening the social milieu, including gender disparities empowerment.
A collective responsibility
In view of the growing environmental concerns and extensive debates at various forums ecocide awareness in gaining momentum with every passing day. Ecocide and blue crimes involving violation of environmental laws in Kashmir, present a multi- pronged threat to rich natural heritage, driven lack of pro-activeness and disrespect and violations of laws by stakeholders. Immediate changes and reforms are imperative to streamline the enforcement, encourage in community driven initiatives, boost sustainable tourism, and legally uphold ecocide as protecting Kashmir's lakes and wetlands is not just an environmental necessity only. If left unchecked, ecocide and blue crimes could cause severe damage to ecology and living conditions in the future, putting both human survival and the rich biodiversity of Kashmir at risk
Email:--------------------------------hamwani24@gmail.com
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