JKCSF & JKPUF list demands to save ecological degradation, shrinking employment opportunities in Gulmarg-Tangmarg region

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MARCH 03 (STC): The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) and Jammu and Kashmir Pensioners United Front (JKPUF), have expressed serious concerns over the worsening water crisis, ecological degradation, and shrinking employment opportunities in the Gulmarg-Tangmarg region.
According to the Chairman of the Forums, Abdul Qayoom Wani, unregulated resource exploitation and faulty policies threaten both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities. He has demanded immediate corrective measures to prevent irreversible damage.
Talking about water crisis, Abdul Qayoom Wani said, “This year’s severe water shortage should serve as an eye-opener. The excessive and unregulated diversion of water from Nallah Ferozpora has led to drinking water shortages for local villages and irrigation losses in Tangmarg and surrounding areas.”
He called for immediate halt to the indiscriminate extraction of this vital water source and no additional pipelines should be installed, and existing diversions must be reassessed and regulated to restore water availability for the native population and local farmers.
About Tangmarg-Gulmarg road, Qayoom Wani said, “The road between Tangmarg and Gulmarg is an ecologically fragile corridor. The movement of smoke-emitting diesel vehicles has significantly harmed the air quality and natural environment.”
He listed some suggestions to protect the region and provide employment. The suggestions include a complete ban on smoke-emitting vehicles on this route and subsidized electric vehicles for local youth, enabling them to run transport services.
This initiative will, according to him, will preserve the environment by reducing pollution and create employment opportunities for local youth who have historically played a key role in maintaining the region’s cleanliness and order.
“We appeal to the Omar Abdullah led chief minister Omer Abdullah to intervene and push for a government-backed subsidy scheme that allows local youth to purchase and operate electric vehicles, keeping employment within the local community.”
The Chairman of these organisations also pitches for responsible snow clearance and stop using harmful chemicals. “While road maintenance in winters is essential, it must not come at the cost of ecological destruction. We demand mechanical snow clearance instead of toxic chemicals,” he said.
He has also demanded to regulate tourist inflow to prevent ecological overburden; promote eco-tourism and sustainable tourism policies; improve waste management systems to prevent pollution and additionally, local youth must be prioritized for employment opportunities related to tourism and environmental conservation.
“Failure to act now will push Gulmarg and Tangmarg toward an irreversible ecological and economic crisis. We stand firm in our commitment to protecting both the environment and the rightful employment opportunities of the local population,” said its Chairman Qayoom Wani. (STC)