Jammu and Kashmir is known as the “Paradise on Earth” by virtue of its astonishing natural landscapes, snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and vibrant changing seasons. The region is endowed with massive mountain ranges like the Himalayas and Pir Panjal, deep green valleys, meadows, and pristine water bodies & rivers like Dal Lake, Wular, and Jhelum. Spring brings blooming tulip gardens, yellow mustard fields and pink almond flowers around karewas of Pulwama and Budgam. The summer offers lush greenery, gushing waters in streams , the autumn turns the trees into vibrant gold and red hues, and winter turns the region into a snowy wonderland. 

Sadly the current situation - “surat e haal” - does not offer a rosy picture of Kashmir. As per the recent National Clean Air Survey (Swachh Vayu Survekshan) Srinagar has been ranked at 26th place among 39 Indian cities with a population of 10 lakh or more. In the first survey that was launched in 2023 Srinagar ranked 4th. What has happened in last 3 years that Srinagar came down 22 steps downwards ? Burning of MSW The municipal solid waste is being burnt openly by sanitation staff across J&K and even Srinagar. Dust control mechanism is not in place. There has been a mushroom growth of vehicles emitting vehicular emission and causing heavy damage to ambient air quality. Illegal cement plants and stone crushers have are running openly without appropriate checks. No suitable measures have been taken for construction and demolition waste management system. There is lack of public awareness regarding air pollution by authorities and all these things contribute for air pollution in Srinagar and other districts of J&K.

Last year the Air Quality Index -AQI touched almost 300 and this autumn and early winter would be terrible. Govt has to act and MLAs must put pressure on authorities during the ongoing session of assembly ? It is a matter of concern that Srinagar is behind Delhi vis a vis air quality. Delhi has for long made headlines with toxic winter smog and features among India’s most persistent air-pollution. Delhi secured the 21st rank with 172 points and Srinagar scored 162.6 points with 26th rank. According to the........

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