Jammu and Kashmir facing worst impact of climate change

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Governor Manoj Sinha said that climate change is a reality. We are experiencing it in the form of weather extremes such as the unprecedented heat wave and untimely heavy rains that are challenging and endangering the existing ecosystem.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the need for coordinated action and a collective partnership, in addition to making changes in our behaviour and lifestyle to face the impact of climate change and reduce the carbon footprint to protect the environment and Conserve Biodiversity.

“We are blessed with nature's rich resources, but we also face multiple challenges from a fragile ecosystem that requires collective action to create a good balance between man and nature,” said the Lt. Governor.

This year's World Environment Day theme "Only One Earth" is a reminder to the whole world that protecting the environment or living a sustainable lifestyle is not the job of a select few, but a responsibility of each one of us, added the Lieutenant Governor.

Ecological sensitivities, conservation of natural heritage, sustainable lifestyle, and holistic approach to an environmentally friendly development path can strengthen our ability to deal with environmental crises and reverse environmental degradation, noted the Lt. Governor.

We are an intrinsic part of nature. For our future generations, we must all contribute to maintaining the delicate balance of nature. Ecological harmony and pragmatic steps such as synergy between economic growth and environmental protection for projects can effectively address climate change, added the Lt. Governor.

The Lieutenant Governor asked the Forestry Department to initiate the Green Innovation Program at J&K, IIT Jammu and NIT Srinagar Universities to promote Green Innovation among the youth. He also urged all DCs, PRI representatives and J&K Rural Livelihood Mission to start the process of giving all SHG products a "Green Label" after passing testing and validation. In addition, he asked the PRI representatives to identify the works related to ecosystem restoration in their respective panchayats.

The Lieutenant Governor requested the Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar to develop Smart Cities as Climate-Smart Cities and run a year-long "City with Nature" campaign with public participation to prevent water, air and plastic pollution. In addition, he advised all government agencies to achieve the goals of ending the use of single-use plastic and strengthening the Waste Management System. He instructed the concerned officers to complete the remaining work of installing LED bulbs in all offices within the next 15 days. 

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