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

Environmentalists participate in a fashion show featuring plastic wastes to mark the Earth Day in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, April 22, 2024. Watch to know more.

Earth Day 2024: South Korean environmentalists organise fashion show featuring plastic wastes

In a significant move for stargazers and environmentalists alike, a vast 2.5-million-acre area in southeastern Oregon, United States has been certified as an ‘International Dark Sky Sanctuary,’ making it the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet.&nbsp;

<h2>Why does it matter?</h2>

The Oregon Outback received certification earlier this week from DarkSky International, an organisation which seeks to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities from the harmful effects of light pollution, according to their website.

The certification is given to exceptional nocturnal environments on public or private land which would then be protected for its scientific, natural and/or cultural value. The Oregon Outback is now one of the 19 sites across the world which has received this honour.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dinner-in-space-space-tourism-company-plans-cosmic-meal-at-a-hefty-cost-700819">Dinner in space? Space tourism company plans cosmic meal for a whopping amount</a>

The vast region is a part of the state’s Lake County which includes landmarks like Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Lake Abert, and Summer Lake.

The Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary (OOIDSS) is approximately one-half the size of the US state of New Jersey, according to the organisation.&nbsp;

“As the population of Oregon and the trend of light pollution continue to rise, the unparalleled scale and quality of the Outback’s dark skies will long serve as a starry refuge to people and wildlife alike,” said DarkSky environmental consultant, Dawn Nilson, who managed and authored the application.&nbsp;

These sanctuaries provide opportunities for stargazing, astrophotography, and other nighttime activities which require less light pollution and the certification will ensure the area remains protected, said DarkSky International, in a statement.&nbsp;

Notably, Oregon is also home to two other DarkSky sanctuaries, Prineville Reservoir State Park and Sunriver Nature Center &amp; Observatory.

<h2>About the OOIDSS</h2>

Speaking about the certification, Bob Hackett, executive director of Travel Southern Oregon said that their collaboration with the organisation has brought so many elements that they “try to achieve in regenerative tourism.”&nbsp;

He added that it only “elevates the destination experience for visitors…and opens up opportunities for local businesses, but also helps agencies and residents steward their lands in ways that celebrate a legacy of starry night skies for generations to come.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/bizarre-chinese-baby-born-with-tail-as-result-of-rare-birth-defect-700803">Bizarre! Chinese baby born with tail as a result of rare birth defect</a>

“It’s surprising sometimes to see that many stars all at once. It catches you and it makes you pause because you feel like you can touch it,” said Hackett. &nbsp;

The OOIDSS is situated in a high desert area marked by sage scrub and abrupt changes in topography which reportedly makes it a good habitat for an array of wildlife, including American pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and so on.&nbsp;

Nearly 1.7 million acres of the sanctuary are overseen by the US Bureau of Land Management. It took nearly four years and coordination with several government agencies on the federal, state and local levels as well as legal obstacles to overcome that led to the certification of OOIDSS, said DarkSky International.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

In a significant move for stargazers and environmentalists alike, a vast 2.5-million-acre area in southeastern Oregon, United States has been certified as an ‘International Dark Sky Sanctuary,’ making it the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet.

In a significant move for stargazers and environmentalists alike, a vast 2.5-million-acre area in southeastern Oregon, United States has been certified as an ‘International Dark Sky Sanctuary,’ making it the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. Why does it matter? The Oregon Outback received certification earlier this week from DarkSky International, an organisation which seeks to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities from the harmful effects of light pollution, according to their website. The certification is given to exceptional nocturnal environments on public or private land which would then be protected for its scientific, natural and/or cultural value. The Oregon Outback is now one of the 19 sites across the world which has received this honour. Also Read | Dinner in space? Space tourism company plans cosmic meal for a whopping amount The vast region is a part of the state’s Lake County which includes landmarks like Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Lake Abert, and Summer Lake. The Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary (OOIDSS) is approximately one-half the size of the US state of New Jersey, according to the organisation. “As the population of Oregon and the trend of light pollution continue to rise, the unparalleled scale and quality of the Outback’s dark skies will long serve as a starry refuge to people and wildlife alike,” said DarkSky environmental consultant, Dawn Nilson, who managed and authored the application. These sanctuaries provide opportunities for stargazing, astrophotography, and other nighttime activities which require less light pollution and the certification will ensure the area remains protected, said DarkSky International, in a statement. Notably, Oregon is also home to two other DarkSky sanctuaries, Prineville Reservoir State Park and Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. About the OOIDSS Speaking about the certification, Bob Hackett, executive director of Travel Southern Oregon said that their collaboration with the organisation has brought so many elements that they “try to achieve in regenerative tourism.” He added that it only “elevates the destination experience for visitors…and opens up opportunities for local businesses, but also helps agencies and residents steward their lands in ways that celebrate a legacy of starry night skies for generations to come.” Also Read | Bizarre! Chinese baby born with tail as a result of rare birth defect “It’s surprising sometimes to see that many stars all at once. It catches you and it makes you pause because you feel like you can touch it,” said Hackett. The OOIDSS is situated in a high desert area marked by sage scrub and abrupt changes in topography which reportedly makes it a good habitat for an array of wildlife, including American pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and so on. Nearly 1.7 million acres of the sanctuary are overseen by the US Bureau of Land Management. It took nearly four years and coordination with several government agencies on the federal, state and local levels as well as legal obstacles to overcome that led to the certification of OOIDSS, said DarkSky International. (With inputs from agencies)

Stargazers rejoice! Oregon Outback named as world’s largest dark sky sanctuary

Iceland's government said Tuesday it was suspending this year's whale hunt until the end of August due to animal welfare concerns, and in all likelihood&nbsp;bringing the controversial practice to a historic end.

Animal rights groups and environmentalists hailed the decision, with the Humane Society International calling it "a major milestone in compassionate whale conservation".

"I have taken the decision to suspend whaling&nbsp;until August 31," Food Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir said in a statement, after a government-commissioned report concluded the hunt does not comply with Iceland's Animal Welfare Act.

Recent monitoring by Iceland's Food and Veterinary Authority found that the killing of the animals took too long.

Shocking video clips broadcast by the veterinary authority showed a whale's agony as it was hunted for five hours.&nbsp;

"If the government and licensees cannot guarantee welfare requirements, these activities do not have a future," the minister said.

The country has only one remaining whaling company, Hvalur, and its licence to hunt fin whales expires in 2023.

Another company hung up its harpoons for good in 2020, saying it was no longer profitable.

Iceland's whaling season runs from mid-June to mid-September, and it is doubtful Hvalur would head out to sea that late in the season.

Annual quotas authorise the killing of 209 fin whales -- the second-longest marine mammal after the blue whale -- and 217 minke whales, one of the smallest species.

But catches have fallen drastically in recent years due to a dwindling market for whale meat.

<h2>'Can't be done humanely'</h2>

Iceland, Norway and Japan are the only countries in the world that have continued whale hunting in the face of fierce criticism from environmentalists and animal rights' defenders.

"There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea, and so we urge the minister to make this a permanent ban," the Humane Society International's executive director for Europe, Ruud Tombrock, said.

"Whales already face so many serious threats in the oceans from pollution, climate change, entanglement in fish nets and ship strikes, that ending cruel commercial whaling is the only ethical conclusion."

Robert Read, head of Sea Shepherd UK, said the decision was also "a huge blow" to other whaling nations.

"If whaling can't be done humanely here... it can't be done humanely anywhere."&nbsp;

"Whales are architects for the ocean. They help boost biodiversity, they help fight climate change by affecting the carbon cycling process," he added.

Opposition to whaling has been on the rise in Iceland with a majority now in favour of dropping the practice.

A survey published in early June indicated that 51 percent of Icelanders were opposed to the hunt and 29 percent in favour, with over-60s those most in favour.

Iceland has depended heavily on fishing and whaling for centuries.

But in the past two decades its tourism industry, including whale watching tours, has blossomed -- and the two key sectors of the economy have diverging interests.

Japan, by far the biggest market for whale meat, resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after a three-decade hiatus, drastically reducing the need for imports from Iceland.

 
&nbsp;

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Iceland's government said Tuesday it was suspending this year's whale hunt until the end of August due to animal welfare concerns, and in all likelihood bringing the controversial practice to a historic end.

Iceland's government said Tuesday it was suspending this year's whale hunt until the end of August due to animal welfare concerns, and in all likelihood bringing the controversial practice to a historic end. Animal rights groups and environmentalists hailed the decision, with the Humane Society International calling it "a major milestone in compassionate whale conservation". "I have taken the decision to suspend whaling until August 31," Food Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir said in a statement, after a government-commissioned report concluded the hunt does not comply with Iceland's Animal Welfare Act. Recent monitoring by Iceland's Food and Veterinary Authority found that the killing of the animals took too long. Shocking video clips broadcast by the veterinary authority showed a whale's agony as it was hunted for five hours. "If the government and licensees cannot guarantee welfare requirements, these activities do not have a future," the minister said. The country has only one remaining whaling company, Hvalur, and its licence to hunt fin whales expires in 2023. Another company hung up its harpoons for good in 2020, saying it was no longer profitable. Iceland's whaling season runs from mid-June to mid-September, and it is doubtful Hvalur would head out to sea that late in the season. Annual quotas authorise the killing of 209 fin whales -- the second-longest marine mammal after the blue whale -- and 217 minke whales, one of the smallest species. But catches have fallen drastically in recent years due to a dwindling market for whale meat. 'Can't be done humanely' Iceland, Norway and Japan are the only countries in the world that have continued whale hunting in the face of fierce criticism from environmentalists and animal rights' defenders. "There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea, and so we urge the minister to make this a permanent ban," the Humane Society International's executive director for Europe, Ruud Tombrock, said. "Whales already face so many serious threats in the oceans from pollution, climate change, entanglement in fish nets and ship strikes, that ending cruel commercial whaling is the only ethical conclusion." Robert Read, head of Sea Shepherd UK, said the decision was also "a huge blow" to other whaling nations. "If whaling can't be done humanely here... it can't be done humanely anywhere." "Whales are architects for the ocean. They help boost biodiversity, they help fight climate change by affecting the carbon cycling process," he added. Opposition to whaling has been on the rise in Iceland with a majority now in favour of dropping the practice. A survey published in early June indicated that 51 percent of Icelanders were opposed to the hunt and 29 percent in favour, with over-60s those most in favour. Iceland has depended heavily on fishing and whaling for centuries. But in the past two decades its tourism industry, including whale watching tours, has blossomed -- and the two key sectors of the economy have diverging interests. Japan, by far the biggest market for whale meat, resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after a three-decade hiatus, drastically reducing the need for imports from Iceland. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ]

Iceland suspends whale hunting on animal welfare concerns after video shows five-hour agony

Environmentalists in Kenya are racing against time as powerful developers eye chunks of the green belt. Activists are defending one of the last green spaces in the capital city of Nairobi.

United Nations condemns Kenya's proposal to weaken forest protection

Hundreds of Argentine environmentalists held a sit-in protest outside the country's congress on Monday to demand the right to clean water on the occasion of World Water Day.

Argentina: Protesters rally in Buenos Aires on World Water Day

Beautiful-looking Turquoise lake in Turkey's southwestern town of Yataghan also known as Ash Dam, because the toxic lake is composed of wastewater and polluted ash. It has been generated by the nearby power plant, the lake now contains heavy metals. The toxic lake worries environmentalists & locals.

Why environmentalists want to destroy Turquoise lake in Turkey

There is growing concern for the red sea coral reef, environmentalists now say that these coral reefs are under threat due to the Israel-UAE oil deal warning that this could lead to the next ecological disaster.

Red sea coral reefs are under threat due to Israel-UAE oil deal

Hundreds of environmentalists marched to the western mine in Germany on Saturday to protest in and around the mine.

The protest was against coal mining that has been going on in Germany for years now. The agenda of the protest was to raise voice against the new orders allowing&nbsp;mining and burning of coal in the country until 2038.

These anti-coal protestors are urging to roll back the decision as the deadline of 2038, according to them, will be too late to save or reverse the damage caused.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-40-years-after-oktoberfest-attack-survivors-wounds-still-healing-330420">Also read|&nbsp;Germany: 40 years after Oktoberfest attack, survivor's wounds still healing</a>

The protestors also raised slogans against planning of destruction of several villages to make way&nbsp;for the expansion of the Garzweiler strip mine, west of Cologne.

Environmentalists carried out these protests in the area, despite the heavy rainfall. SOme of the protestors were also detained by the local police.&nbsp;Utility company RWE reported that some protesters had also entered coal storage facilities.

The protest was attended by nearly 3,000 environmentalists who staged different strips of protest across the&nbsp;open-cast mine.

Meanwhile, on Saturday,&nbsp;German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a video message urging the Germans to pay more attention to stopping global warming through Germany's combined efforts.

Hundreds of environmentalists marched to the western mine in Germany on Saturday to protest in and around the mine. The protest was against coal mining that has been going on in Germany for years now.

Hundreds of environmentalists marched to the western mine in Germany on Saturday to protest in and around the mine. The protest was against coal mining that has been going on in Germany for years now. The agenda of the protest was to raise voice against the new orders allowing mining and burning of coal in the country until 2038. These anti-coal protestors are urging to roll back the decision as the deadline of 2038, according to them, will be too late to save or reverse the damage caused. Also read| Germany: 40 years after Oktoberfest attack, survivor's wounds still healing The protestors also raised slogans against planning of destruction of several villages to make way for the expansion of the Garzweiler strip mine, west of Cologne. Environmentalists carried out these protests in the area, despite the heavy rainfall. SOme of the protestors were also detained by the local police. Utility company RWE reported that some protesters had also entered coal storage facilities. The protest was attended by nearly 3,000 environmentalists who staged different strips of protest across the open-cast mine. Meanwhile, on Saturday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a video message urging the Germans to pay more attention to stopping global warming through Germany's combined efforts.

Anti-coal environmentalists stage protests around western mine in Germany

The Swiss government's coronavirus aid package should be used to make the country's economy more sustainable and help tackle climate change, environmentalists said on Monday (May 4).

Swiss environmentalists demand green reconstruction after coronavirus crisis

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