The Kashmir Valley, once hailed as paradise on earth for its scenic grandeur, salubrious climate, and rich biodiversity, is today showing signs of severe ecological stress and vulnerabilities. The harmony that once defined its natural systems is rapidly giving way to a pattern of disruption, imbalance and climate change. From prolonged dry spells to erratic precipitation patterns and to crop-destroying hailstorms, the Valley’s environmental fabric is unravelling in many ways that were unimaginable a few decades ago. The climate crisis is no longer a distant susceptibility but a lived reality in Kashmir, demanding urgent introspection and actions. Time is still with us to listen and learn from nature, respond decisively and act proactively ,effectively and appropriately.
The Valley's physical disposition, sandwiched between the Pir Panjal and Zabarwan mountain ranges, has always made it uniquely sensitive to climatic changes. Recent years have seen a dramatic alteration in its weather patterns. Dry spells during crucial agricultural seasons have increasingly replaced the once-consistent precipitation cycles. Spring showers, once gentle and predictable, have either failed to arrive or have transformed into violent thunderstorms and hailstorms that destroy orchards and standing crops. The frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events not only impact food security, tourism, and economy but also alter the ecological balance, disturbing pollinators, soil organisms, and plant cycles.
Heatwaves, a phenomenon once rare in Kashmir, are now a recurring event during the summer months. Temperatures crossing 35 degrees Celsius have become alarmingly common in cities like Srinagar, small towns and some peripheral areas. The implications are manifold with urban areas experience intensified urban heat island effects due to unchecked concretization and declining sponge, while rural belts suffer from water scarcity, crop stress, and livestock distress. Traditional crops such as saffron, rice, and apples are particularly vulnerable, with early flowering, stunted growth, and reduced yields becoming a seasonal lament. The disruption of agro-climatic conditions is slowly eroding the Valley’s agrarian economy, which remains the mainstay of a large portion of its population.
Another deeply worrying indicator is the visible decline in snowfall, both in terms of volume and frequency. Snow not only replenishes Kashmir’s grandeur and groundwater reserves but also maintains its rivers and springs through glacial melt during the summer. The 2023–24 winter, for instance, recorded one of the lowest snowfalls in decades. As a result, rivers such as the Jhelum, Lidder, Doodganga and Sindh—once majestic watercourses that powered traditional watermills, irrigation systems, and sustained livelihoods—have turned sluggish or dried up in patches during early summer. Perennial streams, once considered immune to seasonal changes, are now turning seasonal themselves, indicating a severe hydrological imbalance.
The urban environment of Kashmir is under no less stress. Srinagar, the capital city, exemplifies the perils of unplanned urbanization. With wetlands being encroached upon for real estate and roads laid indiscriminately across natural floodplains, the city has lost its natural shock absorbers. Urban heat has become a major concern. Asphalted surfaces and the replacement of tree-lined avenues with concrete structures have pushed temperatures several degrees higher than surrounding rural areas. Additionally, air quality has worsened due to a combination of vehicular emissions, construction dust, and the use of biomass fuels during winter. Spontaneity in growth, inaction from development agencies, irresponsible response to wastewater and solid waste management is declining the quality of life and made urban development a crisis in itself rather than being a generator of economic momentum.
Nature’s Call
Nature is communicating in unmistakable ways, but are we listening? It is in itself a million-dollar question to invoke promptly our cognition. Biodiversity, the essence of Kashmir’s natural wealth, is in retreat. Habitats are being lost to infrastructure projects, tourism pressure, and shifting land-use patterns. The famed Dachigam National Park, home to the endangered Hangul (Kashmiri stag), is hemmed in by expanding human settlements. Migratory birds that once flocked in thousands to Hokersar,nWular wetlands and other wet lands are finding their nesting grounds either dried up ,encroached or polluted. Insect populations, including bees and butterflies that are vital for crop pollination, are declining. Native plant species are increasingly being replaced by invasive weeds like Parthenium and Lantana, which choke local flora and degrade pastures.
The recent spate of hailstorms offers a window into this deepening crisis. In a matter of minutes, entire apple orchards in Pulwama/Shopian or cherry plantations in Baramulla have been flattened, undoing a year’s worth of toil and hope. What makes this tragedy sharper is that these storms are no longer freak events but these have become part of a recurring pattern linked to atmospheric instability induced by climate change. Similarly, flash floods during short bursts of rain reflect the loss of soil cover, degraded catchments, and silted-up water bodies. Nature’s cycles are clearly in turmoil.
The spiritual and cultural ethos of Kashmir has long been rooted in a deep reverence for nature. From the mystic poetry of Sheikh-ul-Alam to the eco-conscious practices of Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes, Kashmiri culture has historically been one of sustainability and restraint. However, this legacy stands endangered today. Consumerist lifestyles, changing aspirations, and policy neglect have weakened traditional ecological wisdom. The younger generation, increasingly disconnected from the rhythms of the land, lacks both awareness, rapport, belongingness and agency in environmental matters.
What can be Done?
First and foremost, there must be a shift in policy and governance that places ecological sustainability at the heart of development. Master Plans for cities and towns in the Valley must integrate climate resilience by restoring wetlands, planting urban forests, and regulating heat-trapping surfaces. Green infrastructure like rain gardens, vertical gardens, and permeable pavements should be mandated in new constructions. Zoning laws must be strictly implemented to prevent construction in ecologically sensitive areas.Urban development needs to strictly monitored and made smart with focus on sustainability. In agriculture/horticulture, a return to indigenous crop varieties that are better adapted to local conditions could reduce input stress and improve resilience to climate fluctuations.
Water conservation must become a grassroots movement. The age-old kul system of irrigation in hill areas needs to be preserved and revived, and spring-shed management programs launched with community participation. Rejuvenation of dried streams and traditional ponds should become a priority along with conservation of springs. The government can also incentivize rooftop rainwater harvesting and gray water reuse in urban households. The mission must be to make every drop count. Use of renewable energy and non-biofuel modes transport with stress on mass public transport has to put in place. Further, it is time for education systems in Kashmir to include ecological literacy as a core component. Schools should encourage students to monitor local water levels, identify bird species, maintain tree cover records, and document climate anomalies in their neighborhoods. It is vital to take students education close to nature to infuse among them necessity of environmental safeguards and sustainability. Such nature focused science initiatives can instill a sense of belonging and responsibility among the youth. Media, especially digital media too, must play its role in highlighting ecological issues, not as peripheral news but as central to public interest.
At the administrative level, a dedicated Climate Resilience and Sustainability agency need to be established under the Jammu and Kashmir administration, tasked with monitoring ecological indicators, issuing alerts, use of renewable energy, ensuring circularity is use of services, conducting vulnerability assessments, and coordinating inter-departmental efforts. Collaboration with international climate bodies, NGOs, and universities can bring in both technical expertise and funding for pilot projects. Education in Sustainability and renewable energy also needs to be universalized. The current reactive approach to disasters must be replaced with a preventive and predictive strategy that strengthens institutional capacity.
Equally important is reforestation and biodiversity recovery. Afforestation drives should prioritize native species over exotics, and degraded forest land must be restored through community-based forest management. The Van Panchayat system of Uttarakhand could be replicated in Kashmir to involve villagers directly in forest governance. Additionally, eco-tourism, if managed well, can serve as both a source of income and an incentive for conservation. Instead of sprawling resorts, homestays and nature trails curated by local youth can offer tourists an immersive, low-impact experience.
The role of faith and culture should not be underestimated and shall be made inseparable aspect of sustainability measures. Local religious leaders can become powerful advocates of sustainability by drawing upon Islamic principles of stewardship (Khilafah) and moderation (Wasatiyyah). Shrines and mosques can become green campuses, promoting energy efficiency, water conservation, and biodiversity awareness from grass root level. Reconnecting spiritual life with environmental ethics can have a transformative impact on community attitudes and regional approach to ecological safeguards.
Bottom line
Kashmir today stands at a crossroads. The warnings of nature are not subtle and visible. These are recurrent, loud, urgent, and increasingly turning irreversible. Learning from nature means respecting its limits, restoring its balance, and recognizing that our fate is inextricably tied to the health of our environment. It signifies returning to the ethos of harmony that defined traditional Kashmiri life, even as we embrace modernity. Whether it is melting snowcaps or vanishing birds, wilting crops or parched streams, every sign is a message: that we must change our ways, or nature will change them for us. This is not merely a climate issue but a question of survival, identity, and justice. If the Valley is to remain a paradise, actions must first transmute into a priority proactively. Surely, the time to learn from nature is now, to show benevolence to it , otherwise, it will be too late else never.
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