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 Fears | 90% of New Hotels Allegedly Illegal

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised serious concerns over the alarming decline of water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, warning of a looming environmental crisis if urgent measures are not taken. According to the audit, out of 697 surveyed lakes and wetlands across the Union Territory, as many as 518, nearly 74 percent have either disappeared or significantly shrunk over time. The findings reveal that 315 lakes are no longer traceable, while 203 have reduced in size by a combined area of 1,314 hectares. The report highlights that 63 lakes have lost more than half of their original area, putting their very existence at risk. Rapid urbanisation, encroachment, mismanagement, and the absence of sustained conservation efforts have been identified as the primary causes behind this degradation. ''The report notes that in 1967, Jammu and Kashmir had 697 lakes. According to the current scenario, 315 lakes have already disappeared, while another 205 are in the process of vanishing. In total, 518 lakes have either been lost or are shrinking in size. The primary causes are human-driven, especially encroachment, unplanned construction, and rapid urbanisation. The increasing conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural use has further intensified the pressure on these water bodies. While environmental factors do play a role, they account for only about 5–10% of the problem. The major responsibility lies with human actions and institutional failures, '' said Faizan Arif, Expert. The CAG has also flagged weak coordination among key departments, including Revenue, Forestry, and Agriculture, noting the lack of a cohesive and integrated management strategy for protecting these vital ecosystems. Environmental experts warn that the shrinking of water bodies has far-reaching consequences. The report points out that the loss of lakes and wetlands contributed to the devastating floods of September 2014, as many of these water bodies traditionally act as natural buffers by absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall. Despite the scale of the crisis, conservation initiatives remain largely limited to a handful of major lakes, such as Dal and Wular, leaving hundreds of smaller yet ecologically significant water bodies across both Jammu and Kashmir neglected and vulnerable. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir stated that the CAG report comes as no surprise. He urged the people of the region to come together and take collective responsibility for protecting and preserving their water bodies. ''I don’t need the CAG to tell me what is self-evident. I am surprised that this has only now become a topic of discussion because someone has spoken about it. We see it all around us, whether in the water bodies in and around Srinagar or in rural areas. Many of these water bodies have either disappeared or significantly shrunk. They have diminished due to urbanisation, pressure on land, and the effects of climate change. Some of these factors may be within our control, while others are part of a larger, more complex challenge. What is clear, however, is that we need to be far more conscious of the environmental damage we are causing. This is not just the government’s responsibility; it requires a collective effort from all of us who live in Jammu and Kashmir. Is this the future we want to hand over to our children? If not, what can we do to be more mindful and responsible?,'' said Omar Abdullah, CM Jammu and Kashmir. He further added that ''Why don’t we start with simple actions—like using fewer plastic bags? Do we really need a government order to stop using them? As responsible citizens, what prevents us from carrying our own bags when we go shopping? Why must we rely on plastic from shops? If change only comes through stricter government intervention, then that may be the direction we are heading. But before it reaches that point, as a society, we still have the opportunity to come together and take meaningful steps to address this problem.'' The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy intervention, improved inter-departmental coordination, and community participation to prevent further degradation and safeguard the region’s fragile environment for the future.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-cabinet-clears-draft-bill-for-amendments-to-women-reservation-act-pm-modi-calls-it-need-of-the-hour-1775715236015">Union Cabinet clears draft bill for amendments to Women Reservation Act; PM Modi calls it ‘need of the hour’</a>

The CAG has also flagged weak coordination among key departments, including Revenue, Forestry, and Agriculture, noting the lack of a cohesive and integrated management strategy for protecting these vital ecosystems.

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised serious concerns over the alarming decline of water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, warning of a looming environmental crisis if urgent measures are not taken. According to the audit, out of 697 surveyed lakes and wetlands across the Union Territory, as many as 518, nearly 74 percent have either disappeared or significantly shrunk over time. The findings reveal that 315 lakes are no longer traceable, while 203 have reduced in size by a combined area of 1,314 hectares. The report highlights that 63 lakes have lost more than half of their original area, putting their very existence at risk. Rapid urbanisation, encroachment, mismanagement, and the absence of sustained conservation efforts have been identified as the primary causes behind this degradation. ''The report notes that in 1967, Jammu and Kashmir had 697 lakes. According to the current scenario, 315 lakes have already disappeared, while another 205 are in the process of vanishing. In total, 518 lakes have either been lost or are shrinking in size. The primary causes are human-driven, especially encroachment, unplanned construction, and rapid urbanisation. The increasing conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural use has further intensified the pressure on these water bodies. While environmental factors do play a role, they account for only about 5–10% of the problem. The major responsibility lies with human actions and institutional failures, '' said Faizan Arif, Expert. The CAG has also flagged weak coordination among key departments, including Revenue, Forestry, and Agriculture, noting the lack of a cohesive and integrated management strategy for protecting these vital ecosystems. Environmental experts warn that the shrinking of water bodies has far-reaching consequences. The report points out that the loss of lakes and wetlands contributed to the devastating floods of September 2014, as many of these water bodies traditionally act as natural buffers by absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall. Despite the scale of the crisis, conservation initiatives remain largely limited to a handful of major lakes, such as Dal and Wular, leaving hundreds of smaller yet ecologically significant water bodies across both Jammu and Kashmir neglected and vulnerable. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir stated that the CAG report comes as no surprise. He urged the people of the region to come together and take collective responsibility for protecting and preserving their water bodies. ''I don’t need the CAG to tell me what is self-evident. I am surprised that this has only now become a topic of discussion because someone has spoken about it. We see it all around us, whether in the water bodies in and around Srinagar or in rural areas. Many of these water bodies have either disappeared or significantly shrunk. They have diminished due to urbanisation, pressure on land, and the effects of climate change. Some of these factors may be within our control, while others are part of a larger, more complex challenge. What is clear, however, is that we need to be far more conscious of the environmental damage we are causing. This is not just the government’s responsibility; it requires a collective effort from all of us who live in Jammu and Kashmir. Is this the future we want to hand over to our children? If not, what can we do to be more mindful and responsible?,'' said Omar Abdullah, CM Jammu and Kashmir. He further added that ''Why don’t we start with simple actions—like using fewer plastic bags? Do we really need a government order to stop using them? As responsible citizens, what prevents us from carrying our own bags when we go shopping? Why must we rely on plastic from shops? If change only comes through stricter government intervention, then that may be the direction we are heading. But before it reaches that point, as a society, we still have the opportunity to come together and take meaningful steps to address this problem.'' The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy intervention, improved inter-departmental coordination, and community participation to prevent further degradation and safeguard the region’s fragile environment for the future. Also read: Union Cabinet clears draft bill for amendments to Women Reservation Act; PM Modi calls it ‘need of the hour’

The CAG has also flagged weak coordination among key departments, including Revenue, Forestry, and Agriculture, noting the lack of a cohesive and integrated management strategy for protecting these vital ecosystems.

Over 500 lakes lost or shrinking in J&K, CAG flags urgent ecological threat

3 years ago, a set of devastating events unfolded at the Umhlanga rocks, South Africa. Their effects are being felt today at the popular destination known for its picturesque coastline and thriving marine life. Local residents and conservationists report unusual incidents along the coast, indicating a persistent contamination in the waters that could damage both the ocean's ecosystem and public health.

Popular destination battles chemical leak, environmental crisis unfolds in uMhlan

Several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Yellowstone and Kilimanjaro National Park, will likely lose their glaciers by the year 2050, the UN body warned&nbsp;and urged countries to take immediate action to safeguard the remaining ones.

A survey of 18,600 glaciers at 50 World Heritage Sites, totaling over 66,000 square kilometres (25,000 square miles), concluded that glaciers at a third of the sites were "condemned to perish," prompting the warning.

The study "shows these glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions, which are warming temperatures", UNESCO said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/famous-moai-statues-irreparably-damaged-due-to-easter-island-fire-523300">Famous Moai statues 'irreparably' damaged due to Easter Island fire</a>

According to the EPA, the glaciers were losing 58 billion tonnes of ice year, or around five percent of the reported rise in sea level, which is equal to the total annual water demand of France and Spain.

"Glaciers in a third of the 50 World Heritage sites are condemned to disappear by 2050, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases," UNESCO said.

"But it is still possible to save the glaciers in the remaining two thirds of sites if the rise in temperatures does not exceed 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial period."

Also watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Climate change threatens Egypt's fertile Nile Delta

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-climate-change-threatens-egypts-fertile-nile-delta-530605/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Countries have agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but given current emission patterns, this target is likely to be missed.

"This report is a call to action," said UNESCO head Audrey Azoulay, ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt starting on Monday.

"Only a rapid reduction in our CO2 emissions levels can save glaciers and the exceptional biodiversity that depends on them. COP27 will have a crucial role to help find solutions to this issue."

According to UNESCO, all of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/african-union-ethiopian-government-and-tigrayan-forces-agree-to-end-hostilities-530675">Africa's</a> World Heritage Sites, including Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro National Park, would likely be devoid of glaciers by the year 2050.

In three decades, it's likely that some of the glaciers in Europe's Pyrenees and Dolomites will also be gone.

The same was true of the glaciers in the American national parks of Yosemite and Yellowstone.

One of the top 10 concerns from climate change, according to a study from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released in February, is the melting of ice and snow.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Yellowstone and Kilimanjaro National Park, will likely lose their glaciers by the year 2050, the UN body warned and urged countries to take immediate action to safeguard the remaining ones.

Several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Yellowstone and Kilimanjaro National Park, will likely lose their glaciers by the year 2050, the UN body warned and urged countries to take immediate action to safeguard the remaining ones. A survey of 18,600 glaciers at 50 World Heritage Sites, totaling over 66,000 square kilometres (25,000 square miles), concluded that glaciers at a third of the sites were "condemned to perish," prompting the warning. The study "shows these glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions, which are warming temperatures", UNESCO said. Also read | Famous Moai statues 'irreparably' damaged due to Easter Island fire According to the EPA, the glaciers were losing 58 billion tonnes of ice year, or around five percent of the reported rise in sea level, which is equal to the total annual water demand of France and Spain. "Glaciers in a third of the 50 World Heritage sites are condemned to disappear by 2050, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases," UNESCO said. "But it is still possible to save the glaciers in the remaining two thirds of sites if the rise in temperatures does not exceed 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial period." Also watch | WION Climate Tracker: Climate change threatens Egypt's fertile Nile Delta Countries have agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but given current emission patterns, this target is likely to be missed. "This report is a call to action," said UNESCO head Audrey Azoulay, ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt starting on Monday. "Only a rapid reduction in our CO2 emissions levels can save glaciers and the exceptional biodiversity that depends on them. COP27 will have a crucial role to help find solutions to this issue." According to UNESCO, all of Africa's World Heritage Sites, including Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro National Park, would likely be devoid of glaciers by the year 2050. In three decades, it's likely that some of the glaciers in Europe's Pyrenees and Dolomites will also be gone. The same was true of the glaciers in the American national parks of Yosemite and Yellowstone. One of the top 10 concerns from climate change, according to a study from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released in February, is the melting of ice and snow. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UNESCO: Glaciers on Kilimanjaro and Yellowstone to disappear by 2050; countries urged to take immediate action

A Japanese bulk carrier that struck a coral reef off Mauritius and has leaked at least an estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil passed an annual inspection in March without any problems

Your Story: Why the Mauritius oil spill is dangerous | Japanese ship | Marine Ecosystem

The forest fires in amazon rainforests is an environmental crisis of unprecedented proportions.

WION Gravitas: Amazon rainforests are on fire!

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