Srinagar: The House Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday held its introductory meeting under the chairmanship of MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami at the Legislative Assembly Complex here, coinciding with World Environment Day.
The meeting was attended by committee members Professor Gharu Ram, Baldev Raj Sharma, Daleep Singh, Showkat Hussain Ganai, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, Dr. Sajjad Shafi, Javaid Reyaz (Bedar), Dr. Rameshwar Singh and Devyani Rana.
Welcoming the members, Tarigami said environmental protection is not merely an administrative responsibility but a collective moral obligation towards society, nature and future generations. He expressed gratitude to the members for becoming part of a committee tasked with addressing issues that affect human beings, wildlife, flora and fauna alike.
Highlighting key environmental challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir, Tarigami pointed to increasing pollution of water bodies, unscientific waste dumping, deforestation, excessive use of plastic, degradation of wetlands and the shrinking green cover. He voiced concern over the deteriorating condition of Anchar Lake and other water bodies in Kashmir, saying pollution, encroachments and continued neglect pose a serious threat to the region’s ecological balance.
He stressed the need for the restoration and conservation of lakes, rivers and forests across both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. Unchecked urbanisation, environmental degradation and climate change, he observed, are adversely affecting biodiversity, public health and the fragile ecology of the Union Territory.
The committee members shared their suggestions and unanimously resolved to work towards safeguarding the environmental future of Jammu and Kashmir. They emphasized the need for full cooperation and institutional support from the administration for effective implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
The committee also proposed undertaking extensive visits across Jammu and Kashmir to interact with local communities, assess environmental concerns at the grassroots level and generate awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.
Members further called for strengthening waste management systems, preventing illegal dumping of waste, protecting wetlands and water bodies, promoting afforestation and discouraging indiscriminate use of plastic through stricter enforcement and greater public participation.
