Kashmir's breathtaking landscapes have long made it one of India's most sought-after tourist destinations. But rapid tourism-driven construction is now raising serious environmental concerns. According to official figures, more than 5,000 hotels have been built across the Kashmir Valley since 2021, with authorities stating that around 90% allegedly lack the required approvals. Popular destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Gurez, and Doodhpathri are witnessing a surge in hotels, homestays, and commercial buildings.

Kashmir's Tourism Boom Sparks Environmental Alarm | 90% of New Hotels Allegedly Illegal

People experience ecological grief when they lose places, species or ecosystems they care deeply about. These losses pose an increasing danger to mental health and well-being worldwide.

People experience ecological grief when they lose places, species or ecosystems they care deeply about. These losses pose an increasing danger to mental health and well-being worldwide. News about worsening environmental conditions and climate change implications is making headlines all around the world. Environmental scientists, rangers, engineers, activists and policymakers are especially vulnerable to ecological grief because they have firsthand experience with environmental degradation. In a study published in Conservation Letters, researchers relied on psychology and public health studies to develop insights and techniques for coping with loss and applied them to ecological grief. They devised an approach known as "ecological grief literacy". Grief literacy refers to the information, skills and values that can assist with loss and grief. When developing the notion of ecological grieving, they considered the distinctions between bereavement and environmental loss. Bereavement often follows the loss of a loved one, which is a singular event. However, the timing and severity of environmental losses are inherently unknown. They are both ongoing and currently taking place. Also read: Did feathered dinosaurs exist? Study says these reptiles had scaly skins like lizards To better understand how to help those who are most vulnerable to experiencing ecological grief, researchers organised a workshop and shared knowledge on the science of emotion and stress. The session included a variety of activities and tools, allowing participants to choose what was most beneficial to them. How can you help those suffering from ecological grief? Having social support is essential to grieving healthily. Then, people feel taken care of and receive the assistance they most require. A large portion of this assistance is likely to come from family and friends in cases of losses like the death of a loved one. However, ecological grief is not often acknowledged or understood in the community. The people who have worked with nature before are likely to be colleagues or peers who may offer helpful support. Professionals in the environmental field can learn how to listen intently to colleagues who are grieving. Sensitively asking questions allows people to express themselves without fear of judgment or unwanted counsel. If you are the one experiencing persistent ecological grief, it is critical to aim compassion both toward yourself and others. Priority must be given to relaxation and distractions. Ecological grief is a natural and appropriate response to environmental loss. Making ecological grief literacy a part of everyday workplace health and safety would benefit not just the well-being of environmental professionals, but also their efforts to safeguard the species and ecosystems on which all of us rely. (With inputs from agencies)

What is ecological grief and how can you help your loved ones cope with it?

Birds are a key indicator of the health of the planet, as they are responsive to environmental change and have important ecological functions.

However, it seems that some bird species are nearing extinction, a new report has claimed. And it has blamed&nbsp;human actions for such ecological destruction.

A report titled ‘State of the World’s Birds’, which is published every four years by BirdLife International, has said that 49 per cent of the bird species are on the decline, while one in eight are threatened with extinction and at least 187 species are confirmed or suspected to have gone extinct since 1500.

"One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction, and the status of the world's birds continues to deteriorate: species are moving ever faster towards extinction," said the report released this week.

The report bases its findings on the data of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In North America, the losses are profound. BirdLife International report&nbsp;states that there are now 2.9 billion fewer individual birds in the region than there were in 1970, an estimated drop of 29 per cent.

While European Union has seen a net loss of around 600 million birds, roughly 18 per cent since 1980.

The ecologists say that expansion and intensification of agriculture are putting pressure on 73 per cent of species, while logging, invasive species, exploitation of natural resources and climate breakdown are the other main threats.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swiss-glaciers-melt-at-record-rate-lose-over-6-volume-in-2022-520537" hreflang="en">Swiss glaciers' melting rate peaks to worst in century, lose over 6% volume</a>

&nbsp;“We have to stop these declines and start getting on track for recovery. Our future, as well as the world’s birds, depends on it. If we continue to unravel the fabric of life, we’re going to continue to place our own future at threat,” Dr Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International, said, according to the Guardian.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-big-central-banks-financing-deforestation-of-brazils-amazon-forest-report-520610" hreflang="en">Three big central banks financing deforestation of Brazil’s Amazon forest</a>

In the 2018 report, BirdLife International found 40 per cent of bird species worldwide in decline.

“Birds are useful for telling us about the state of the planet. What they say is that nature is in poor condition, lots of species are in decline,” Butchart said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Birds are a key indicator of the health of the planet, as they are responsive to environmental change and have important ecological functions. However, it seems that some bird species are nearing extinction, a new report has claimed.

Birds are a key indicator of the health of the planet, as they are responsive to environmental change and have important ecological functions. However, it seems that some bird species are nearing extinction, a new report has claimed. And it has blamed human actions for such ecological destruction. A report titled ‘State of the World’s Birds’, which is published every four years by BirdLife International, has said that 49 per cent of the bird species are on the decline, while one in eight are threatened with extinction and at least 187 species are confirmed or suspected to have gone extinct since 1500. "One in eight bird species is threatened with extinction, and the status of the world's birds continues to deteriorate: species are moving ever faster towards extinction," said the report released this week. The report bases its findings on the data of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In North America, the losses are profound. BirdLife International report states that there are now 2.9 billion fewer individual birds in the region than there were in 1970, an estimated drop of 29 per cent. While European Union has seen a net loss of around 600 million birds, roughly 18 per cent since 1980. The ecologists say that expansion and intensification of agriculture are putting pressure on 73 per cent of species, while logging, invasive species, exploitation of natural resources and climate breakdown are the other main threats. Also read | Swiss glaciers' melting rate peaks to worst in century, lose over 6% volume “We have to stop these declines and start getting on track for recovery. Our future, as well as the world’s birds, depends on it. If we continue to unravel the fabric of life, we’re going to continue to place our own future at threat,” Dr Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International, said, according to the Guardian. Also read | Three big central banks financing deforestation of Brazil’s Amazon forest In the 2018 report, BirdLife International found 40 per cent of bird species worldwide in decline. “Birds are useful for telling us about the state of the planet. What they say is that nature is in poor condition, lots of species are in decline,” Butchart said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nearly half of bird species in decline, moving faster to extinction: Report

Pope Francis has said that the Earth will become uninhabitable if there is no concrete action taken on climate change. He further asserted the complexity of the ecological crisis.

Pope Francis talks about climate change, pollution and development

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