HAROON RASHID BHAT
Whenever flood-like conditions emerge in Kashmir, the blame game begins. The administration is blamed for poor drainage, the government for negligence, political parties blame one another, and citizens point fingers at the authorities. Yet the uncomfortable truth is that we are all, in one way or another, responsible for the environmental crisis that is gradually unfolding before our eyes.
Kashmir has always lived with water. The Jhelum, lakes, wetlands, streams and springs have shaped the Valley’s geography and civilisation. The wetlands of Kashmir were not wastelands, nor were natural water channels vacant spaces waiting for construction. They formed a natural system that absorbed, stored and gradually released rainwater. But over the years, unplanned urbanisation, encroachments, deforestation, reckless construction and the disappearance of open spaces have seriously weakened this natural protection.
The devastating floods of 2014 should have taught us an unforgettable lesson. The disaster was caused by extraordinary rainfall and rising water levels, but human interference with nature also contributed to its devastating impact. Wetlands were degraded, natural drainage channels were blocked and construction expanded into vulnerable areas. Yet, even after such a painful experience, we continue to repeat many of the same mistakes.
Water does not forget its natural pathways. When a stream is blocked, a wetland is filled or a floodplain is occupied, the water does not disappear. During heavy rainfall, it simply searches for its old route. What we call an unexpected flood is often water returning to a path that human beings have blocked.
The loss of wetlands such as Wular, Hokersar, Anchar and other water bodies is not merely an environmental or aesthetic concern. These ecosystems act as natural reservoirs, store excess water, support biodiversity and protect human settlements. When we destroy them, we remove one of nature’s most effective flood-control systems.
Climate change has added a new dimension to the problem. Global warming, caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and other human activities, is altering weather patterns across the world. Kashmir and the Himalayan region are particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, snowfall, rainfall and snowmelt. Extreme weather events are becoming a growing concern, and we cannot prepare for the future while continuing to destroy the natural systems that protect us.
The rapidly increasing number of vehicles is another serious concern. The Valley’s roads are becoming increasingly crowded with private cars, taxis and other vehicles. Excessive dependence on fossil-fuel-based transport contributes to air pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions. We have gradually developed the habit of using private vehicles even for short journeys. Better public transport, responsible vehicle use, walking and cycling must become part of our environmental strategy.
Waste management is equally important. Plastic bags, bottles and other waste often enter drains and water channels, blocking the flow of rainwater. We cannot throw waste into our surroundings and then blame the authorities when drains overflow. The government must provide efficient waste-management systems, but citizens must also accept responsibility for their daily habits.
The administration certainly has a duty to regulate construction, protect wetlands, maintain drainage systems, enforce environmental laws and prepare for disasters. But citizens too must stop encroaching upon natural waterways, dumping waste and treating every open space as an opportunity for construction. We cannot block a stream for years and then blame the rain for flooding our homes.
The solution lies not in endless accusations but in collective responsibility. Kashmir needs scientific urban planning, strict protection of wetlands and forests, proper waste management, improved public transport, responsible tourism and climate-resilient infrastructure. Development is necessary, but development must not destroy the natural systems upon which human life depends.
The floodwaters may eventually recede, but the warning will remain. Our rivers, wetlands, forests and open spaces are not obstacles to development; they are our natural protection against disaster. The real question is not whether nature will respond—nature always responds. The real question is whether we will learn before the next disaster, or continue blaming one another after it arrives.
Our relationship with nature has also been shaped by an attitude of convenience. We want wider roads, more buildings, parking spaces and commercial complexes, but rarely ask what happens to the soil, streams and drainage channels that are sacrificed in the process. Every tree cut, every wetland filled and every watercourse narrowed may appear insignificant in isolation, but together these acts weaken the Valley’s ecological balance. The responsibility therefore extends beyond governments and institutions; it begins with our everyday choices and our willingness to protect the common environment even when personal convenience demands otherwise.
The time has come to replace the culture of blame with a culture of responsibility. The administration must act firmly, experts must guide policy with scientific evidence, and citizens must change the habits that contribute to environmental degradation. Every individual can play a role—by protecting water bodies, avoiding littering, reducing unnecessary vehicle use, planting trees and refusing to support illegal construction and encroachment. As the timeless wisdom reminds us, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” If we fail to protect Kashmir’s rivers, wetlands, forests and natural drainage systems today, future generations will inherit not the paradise we proudly speak of, but the consequences of our negligence.
Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher by profession, can be reached at minamharoon123@gmail.com.
