BY THE WAY: The Fading Breath of Our Hills
A Reflection on Air, Memory, and Responsibility
Dr. Noour Ali Zehgeer
Childhood memories often feel like treasured snapshots—moments filled with simplicity, purity, and wonder. Many of us remember hearing our elders say, “Let’s go to the hill stations for fresh air and a change.” Places like Shimla, Srinagar, or Ooty were not just destinations; they were symbols of unspoiled nature, clean breezes, and a sense of peace that urban life could never replicate.
But today, those very places—once sanctuaries of purity—are struggling for the breath they once offered so freely. The hills that once promised crisp, refreshing air now face rising pollution levels, overcrowding, deforestation, and shrinking green cover. The charm remains, but the purity has faded.
We have reached a point where even remote hill stations are not immune to smog, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and the adverse impacts of rapid, unplanned development. What was once considered a retreat for health now fights to maintain its own environmental health.
Air quality refers to the state of the air around us and the concentration of pollutants that may harm human health, the environment, and the climate. In recent years, air pollution has emerged as one of the most critical global environmental challenges, particularly in rapidly developing countries such as India. The worsening levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone have pushed air quality to alarming thresholds in many regions.
Kashmir is no exception when we write or discuss about Air quality
Despite its reputation for pristine mountains and fresh air, recent data shows that Kashmir is facing dangerous levels of air pollution, exposing residents to severe health risks. The combination of rising particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), unregulated industrial activity, urban emissions, and winter weather patterns has significantly worsened air quality across the Valley.
- Air Pollution Has Breached Safe Limits Across Kashmir
Recent observations show that PM2.5 and PM10 levels in Srinagar and other districts have exceeded both India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and WHO guidelines, putting the population at risk.
- Srinagar’s particulate levels are above the WHO safe limits, signalling hazardous breathing conditions.
- District Budgam, in particular, suffers from high AQI due to uncontrolled brick kiln emissions, which have spread soot and toxic smog across rural and semiurban areas.
- Severe and Hazardous AQI Levels Recorded in Baramulla (Winter 2025–26)
New airquality monitoring in Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla, revealed shockingly high AQI values:
- AQI ranges frequently hit 400–505 (Severe to Hazardous) in late November.
- In midDecember, AQI peaked at 818, far beyond dangerous thresholds.
- Even the lowest daily values stayed around 370–395, meaning that people were breathing heavily polluted air 24 hours a day.
This indicates that residents had no safe outdoor window, and pollution persisted both day and night.
- Health Impacts on the Local Population
Respiratory Diseases Rising
Medical observations show:
- Kashmir, especially Srinagar, has one of the highest incidences of lung cancer in India, linked to prolonged airpollution exposure.
- Approximately 10,000 people in Jammu & Kashmir die each year from chronic lung diseases attributed to air pollution.
Residents increasingly suffer from: - Breathlessness
- Chronic cough
- Asthma attacks
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Chest tightness and throat irritation
Children, the elderly, and individuals with weak immunity are especially vulnerable.
- Brick Kilns – A Major Source of Kashmir’s Air Pollution
A surge in traditional, unregulated brick kilns—especially in Budgam—has intensified toxic emissions:
- Kilns emit smoke laden with fine particulate matter and black soot.
- Pollutants reduce visibility and settle on farmland, harming crops and fruit orchards.
- Villagers near these kilns report increased respiratory illnesses and deaths, especially among children and elderly adults with low immunity.
Solutions and Public Responsibility
Improving air quality requires collaboration among governments, industries, and citizens. Technological solutions—such as electric mobility, renewable energy adoption, improved waste management, and advanced airpurification systems—are critical. Urban design interventions like green buffers, cycle tracks, and congestion management also play a role.
Individual actions matter too: using public transport, reducing waste burning, conserving energy, and maintaining vehicles can significantly lower daily emissions.
Conclusion
Air quality remains a defining environmental and publichealth issue for India. While recent statistics show that pollution persists at concerning levels, especially in major cities and industrial zones, the combination of strong policy initiatives, technological innovation, and citizen participation can create measurable improvements. Ensuring clean air is not only essential for protecting health and the environment but also a moral obligation to future generations.
My Only submission the State and central government is ‘’ALLOW US TO BREATHE”
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE)
