Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Monday emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir requires periodic environmental assessments for all activities carried out in the name of development.
Para highlighted that a significant mafia in Jammu and Kashmir is exploiting the region’s natural resources.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2025, Para stated, “Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the highest level of soil, sand, and stone mining in recent years, and there is a huge mafia behind it.”
“Due to mining and large-scale development, extensive destruction is occurring in J&K, particularly in the ecologically fragile Kashmir region,” he added.
Para further noted that Jammu and Kashmir’s fragile ecology is already under strain, citing the recent dry winter spell that has significantly lowered the water table.
“We have sought answers from the government on whether it assesses and measures the environmental hazards caused by projects, be it roads, railways, or tunnels,” he said.
Para continued, “We are inviting environmental troubles in the future. Therefore, we have sought an explanation from the environment minister regarding the environmental assessment of all ongoing projects in Jammu and Kashmir. These projects, carried out in the name of development, are causing large-scale destruction of our resources and environment.”
“The point is, there should be a proper mechanism to assess the feasible footfall of pilgrims and tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that glaciers and the ecology are not eroded. The Yatra in Kashmir can only be sustained if there is water, ice, and glaciers,” he explained.
The MLA further remarked, “As we can see, our brooks, wells, and streams have dried up. The Jhelum River is witnessing extensive sand mining. There is a mafia in Jammu and Kashmir that is extracting our resources. There should be an environmental assessment of everything happening in the name of development.”—(KNO)
