Srinagar, July 11, 2025 : The Legislative Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday raised strong concern over the growing environmental degradation in the Union Territory and called for collective, coordinated efforts to tackle the escalating crisis.
Chairing the meeting, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami underscored the urgent need for united action, stating, “Protecting our ecology is not just a duty—it is a necessity for the survival of present and future generations.” He emphasized that environmental well-being directly impacts the physical, mental, and social health of the people.
Members of the Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), led by Chairman Khurshid Ahmad Ganie, also participated in the meeting and presented recommendations. They stressed the importance of adopting a climate action plan, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for all infrastructure projects, and curbing vehicular pollution by strengthening public transport systems.
The Committee condemned indiscriminate tree felling and encroachment of agricultural lands, warning that such actions are disrupting the delicate balance of nature. They also raised alarms over debris dumping in water bodies, unchecked conversion of farmland, and the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.
Tarigami called for community-driven efforts, urging every citizen to contribute towards the preservation of natural resources. “There may be limitations, but there can be no excuse for inaction,” he said.
The meeting was attended by MLAs Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Yudhvir Sethi, Choudhary Zafar Ali Khatana, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, Irshad Rasool Kar, and other members of the Committee.
