RAPID GREEN COVER DEPLETION WORRYING
Editorial . . . . . .
Climate change is one of the terms that is used the most these days. The weather has been acting strangely on the majority of the planet, including our region. While some regions are getting a lot hotter, others are going a lot colder. While some regions of Europe are becoming cooler than usual, temperatures in other Arab nations have surpassed 50 degrees Celsius. In many areas of our subcontinent, the temperature has surpassed 45 degrees Celsius. Although there are many contributing elements to this extreme climate change, hazardous gas emissions from cars, power plants, and other sectors of similar nature are the most widely deliberated. The world’s rapidly diminishing green cover as a result of development is another significant contributing cause, in addition to the astronomical rise in emissions. In particular, carbon dioxide emissions were being absorbed and the air was being cleaned by the green cover. Carbon dioxide is absorbed, which increases the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. An area of the Sahara desert in Africa may purify the air and absorb millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to estimates. Some of the Chinese desert regions are already being turned into green belts. As these environmentally aware individuals work to turn deserts into green belts, we, on the other hand, are changing our green belts into arid areas that may eventually become deserts. In many locations, we have essentially slaughtered our lush, verdant forests. According to India’s forest policy, forests should cover 60% of the area in the Himalayan region and 33% of all areas in the plains. Unfortunately, just 22% of India is covered by forests. In a similar vein, Jammu and Kashmir’s forest acreage is also shrinking. The green belt has also been harmed by extensive conversion of agricultural land for the construction of private homes, residential colonies, and some UT government offices, in addition to intentional deforestation by timber smugglers, some concerning elements, and even people living near the forests. There is no disputing the fact that agriculture, horticulture, and tourism are our UT’s main economic sectors. A large portion of our population works in agriculture and horticulture. The majority of our veggies and cereals come from outside imports. All parties involved should take the report that there is a significant population shift from the rural to urban areas of the UT seriously. In J&K, population movement from rural to urban areas has increased over time in excess of expectations, causing a decline in the rural population. According to the study, widespread migration has caused the rural population to fall and the working population in the villages to decrease. Buildings for both residential and commercial purposes have been erected on agricultural land as a result of the rural-to-urban migration. Numerous slum-like colonies have also sprung up in urban areas as a result of it. Additionally, a variety of retail centers, housing developments, and even government structures are being built on the formerly agricultural and forest terrain. While the government should take steps to slow the flow of people from rural to urban areas, there is a universal agreement that we must protect our woods and green belt. If we didn’t, we’d be leaving hell for our children. And we know it very well that government cannot accomplish it alone. To save our green belt, there needs to be a powerful, global as well as UT-level campaign involving all of the people. Any member of society can join the movement, regardless of their political party or opinions. We are being warned by the strange weather we are currently experiencing. We are doomed if we ignore the warning and do nothing right away.
