“When science is sidelined, risk multiplies”
Governments regulate. Experts advise. But the public decides whether nature survives or collapses.Environmental Impact Assessment reveals that J&K’s world-renowned tourism destinations are steadily losing their natural ecology. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing today is tourism beyond carrying capacity. To keep our air, water, forests and overall ecology pollution-free, we must first accept one hard truth: technology alone cannot save us, it is governance, behaviour and ethics must change together. MUTAHARRA A. W. DEVA stated this and many more startling things in an exclusive conversation with TIMES LINK EDITOR SAJJAD BAZAZ
EXCERPTS OF THE CONVERSATION:
TIMES LINK: Worsening air quality is a rising concern in J&K. How do you view this serious health hazardous disorder?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: Yes, J&K’s air quality has significantly deteriorated in winter and public concern is justified. But the drivers are not identical to Delhi’s. They are rooted in local energy use, vehicles, dust, meteorology and winter stagnation, which require tailored solutions and not simply copying policies from other regions.
Let me explain it how air quality is deteriorating.
1. Seasonal Meteorology Makes It Worse
In winter, the Valley’s weather itself traps pollutants:
• Temperature inversion layers form cold air close to the surface with warmer air above so particles can’t rise and disperse.
• Calm winds and fog hold pollutants close to the ground.
This creates what meteorologists call a “pollution bowl” similar in effect to a basin-trap where contaminants accumulate rather than clear out.
2. Local Emission Sources Have Increased
Air quality in J&K was once pristine, but several local activities now add to pollutant loads:
a) Household and domestic heating: In winter, many households rely on coal bukharis, firewood, Hamams and biomass burning for warmth. These emit heavy loads of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) which is the pollutant most harmful to lungs and hearts.
b) Vehicular emissions: The number of vehicles has increased significantly in recent years without proportional improvements in public transport or emission controls, leading to higher exhaust pollution.
c) Construction dust and brick kilns: Construction activity, dust from unpaved roads, and traditional brick kilns, especially around Budgam and city outskirts, add PM10 and soot, contributing to poor AQI.
d) Biomass and waste burning: Burning leaves, biomass and wasteis still common in many areas which further loads the atmosphere with particulates.
e) Industrial activities from tourism sector, industrial emission,health sector all adding.
3. Regional and Transboundary Influences
While J&K’s air quality is driven mainly by local sources, regional transport of dust and pollution from neighbouring regions which include dust storms from arid zones and emissions from Punjab/Haryana influenced by stubble burning also occasionally adds to the ambient load. However, unlike Delhi’s crisis, the main local drivers differ and are mixed with unique Himalayan conditions.
TIMES LINK: Why deteriorating air quality matters for public health?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: Repeated exposure to elevated AQI, especially high PM2.5 and PM10, has serious health consequences, including:
• Worsening of asthma, COPD and heart disease.
• Irritation of eyes, throat and lungs.
• Long-term risks even in young, healthy individuals.
This means cleaner air is not just an environmental goal but it is a public health necessity. So, what needs to be done to protect the public from this hazard and to avoid sliding toward Delhi-level pollution problems. There is need to expand expand scientific, continuous AQI monitoring stations across the region for real time data. Control emission sources which include improving vehicle emissions, regulating brick kilns, controlling construction dust and industrial emissions. Other measures include promoting clean heating alternatives and discourage biomass burning; strengthening of policy enforcement with data-driven management plans and engaging communities in cleaner practices and awareness.
TIMES LINK: You have worked on environmental impact assessment projects including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Youmarg Pahalgam etc. Are these world renowned tourism destinations losing natural ecology?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: Yes, these world-renowned tourism destinations are steadily losing their natural ecology. This is not an emotional statement, it is a conclusion drawn from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies conducted over time in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Yusmarg, Pahalgam, Dodapathri and Katra.
When these EIAs were undertaken, the intent was not to stop tourism, but to understand the ecological limits of fragile mountain landscapes. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing today is tourism beyond carrying capacity.
TIMES LINK: What the EIAs revealed on ground?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: See Gulmarg meadows are under pressure
Gulmarg’s alpine meadows are slow-growing ecosystems.
There is soil compaction due to vehicular and tourist footfall. The key impacts include loss of grass cover and native herbs; disturbance to hydrology and natural drainage. During peak season, there is solid waste and sewage stress.
Once damaged, alpine meadows can take decades to recover.
In Sonamarg there is glacial and riverine stress. As we know that Sonamarg sits in a glacial valley, feeding the Sindh River. EIA findings showed unregulated construction near riverbanks; sewage discharge into Sindh; glacial debris disturbance and wildlife corridors getting impacted due to noise and vehicular pollution. Climate change has compounded this stress by accelerating glacial retreat.
In the case of Pahalgam, river Lidder is under threat. Notably, Pahalgam’s ecology is inseparable from the Lidder river system.We find floodplain encroachments; sand and boulder extraction; solid waste and untreated sewage and pressure from pilgrimage tourism without infrastructure matching. The Lidder’s water chemistry has shown increasing organic load over time.
Yusmarg & Dodapathri are fragile and overlooked. These landscapes are even more sensitive because they were once relatively untouched.
EIAs warned about road widening and slope destabilization, grazing pressure, unregulated tourism infrastructure and loss of wet meadows and springs. Early intervention here could still prevent irreversible damage.Unfortunately, what we are witnessing today is tourism beyond carrying capacity.
TIMES LINK: Do you think governments have failed to mitigate the risks challenging our environment?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: This is a difficult question and it deserves an honest answer, not a slogan.
Governments have not completely failed, but they have certainly failed to act at the scale, speed, and seriousness that the environmental crisis demands. In fragile regions like Jammu & Kashmir, that gap becomes even more visible.
Where governments have fallen short:
1. Environment treated as a sector, not a foundation:
Environment is still seen as a clearance issue, a compliance formality and a post-project mitigation exercise. Otherwise, it should have been treated as the base on which development, health, water security, agriculture, and disaster resilience depend.
2. We have strong policies, but weak implementation: Actually we have excellent environmental laws: Environment Protection Act, Water Act, Air Act, EIA Notification and Wetland Rules.
The failure lies in lack of institutional framework at the CM level is an important issue needs to be solved immediately. Then there is issue of poor enforcement also coupled with dilution under pressure and selective application. Precisely, laws exist, but political will fluctuates.
3. Short-term economics overriding long-term ecology:
Governments operate in 5-year cycles. Ecology works in 50–100 year cycles. Projects promising jobs, revenue and visibility often get precedence over water security, public health and climate resilience. The cost is deferred but never avoided.
4. Reactive, not preventive governance:
Most environmental actions happen after floods, landslides, pollution emergencies and cloudbursts. Very little is done before disaster strikes, despite repeated scientific warnings.
5. Fragmented institutions:
Environment, tourism, urban development, power, mining, and transport, Pollution Control, Industries, health, Jal Shakti,Municipalities often function in silos.Nature does not. This lack of integrated governance has weakened risk mitigation.But it would be unfair to say nothing has been done.Governments have created climate action plans, established pollution control boards, invested in sewage treatment &monitoring and recognised climate change as a policy issue. The problem is insufficient follow-through and continuity and lack of expert involvement in such follow ups. The real failure is ignoring scientific warnings.
Perhaps the biggest failure has been:
• Treating EIAs, climate studies, and expert committees as advisory, not binding
• Consulting science after decisions are made
• Insufficient data creation at the University and research level.
When science is sidelined, risk multiplies.
TIMES LINK: So, what must change now?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: Government must put environment at the centre of planning, not the periphery. There has to be accountability for implementation, not just announcements; independent scientific oversight, insulated from political pressure; transparent data, accessible to the public; and climate risk mainstreaming in every sector.
Governments have underestimated the speed and severity of environmental collapse. That is their biggest mistake. But failure is not final and course correction is still possible. What is required is courage: to say no to unsustainable projects, to respect ecological limits, and to act on science rather than expediency.
Let us understand that nature does not negotiate. Policy still can.
TIMES LINK: What must be done at the policy and governance level to safeguard the environmental ecosystem? And what’s the role of general public
MUTAHARRA DEVA: To keep our air, water, forests and overall ecology pollution-free, we must first accept one hard truth: technology alone cannot save us, it is governance, behaviour and ethics must change together. Environmental protection is not a single project; it is a continuous societal commitment.
When we talk of the policy and governance, I would suggest five things which need to be taken care of.
1. Put ecology at the centre of development
Every policy in tourism, transport, housing, industry, power ,health, Jal Shakti, urban development, housing, social welfare etc,must pass a climate and ecological risk filter. Development that damages air sheds, watersheds and forests is not progress; it is a deferred disaster.
2. Stop pollution at the source
It includes, 100% sewage and effluent treatment before discharge; zero tolerance for industrial emissions violations; strict regulation of brick kilns, cement plants, diesel generators and waste burning and separation of storm water and sewage systems. It’s to be noted that end-pipe solutions cannot compensate for source-level neglect.
3. Restore natural systems
Nature has its own pollution-control mechanisms.For instance wetlands filter water, forests purify air and floodplains absorb pollutants and floods. Restoration of lakes, wetlands, rivers, forests and springs must be treated as core infrastructure, not optional beautification.
4. Science-based monitoring and transparency
Here measures like continuous air and water quality monitoring, public disclosure of data and independent audits are a must. When data is visible, accountability improves.
5. Climate-resilient planning
In this type of planning forests and alpine meadows are to be protected, mining and road cutting regulated, green building norms enforced and disaster risk reduction is integrated into planning.Now, when we look at the responsibility of the general public to safeguard the environment, we find that the role of the general public is the most critical link. No government, law or authority can succeed without public participation. Again, I would suggest five things:
1. There has to be behavioural change.
• Do not dump waste into rivers, lakes or drains
• Reduce use of plastic and chemical fertilizers
• Avoid burning waste and leaves
• Use public transport where possible
• Turn waste into compost at home level
• Water harvesting
• Do not waste water
We have to understand that small actions, multiplied by millions, have large impact.
2. Responsible consumption
• Choose local, sustainable products
• Reduce energy and water wastage
• Demand eco-friendly tourism and housing
Markets change when consumers change.
3. Community stewardship
• Protect local springs, streams and wetlands
• Participate in plantation and cleanliness drives
• Report violations
People who live near ecosystems are their first protectors.
4. Civic pressure and accountability
• Ask questions of elected representatives
• Support environmental regulations
• Reject development that destroys local ecology
Silence enables pollution.
5. Educate the next generation
Environmental values must begin at home and school.children who understand ecology grow into responsible citizens and policymakers.
Precisely, safeguarding the environment is a shared responsibility. Governments regulate. Experts advise. But the public decides whether nature survives or collapses.
Environmental protection is not anti-development but it is pro-life, pro-health, and pro-future. If we want clean air, safe water, healthy forests and a stable climate, we must shift fromexploitation to stewardship; short-term gains to long-term security; and indifference to involvement. Nature has given us warning signs.Whether we act on them is our collective choice.
TIMES LINK: Why cloudbursts are increasing in J&K
MUTAHARRA DEVA: A cloudburst is an extreme rainfall event where more than 100 mm of rain falls in less than an hour over a very small area. In steep mountain terrain, this sudden downpour has nowhere to go and it rushes downhill as flash floods, debris flows, and landslides.
Cloudbursts have become one of the most frightening and misunderstood hazards in the Himalayas, including Jammu & Kashmir. They are no longer rare events. They are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more destructive, largely due to climate change and ecological degradation.
Climate change is the primary driver of cloudbursts. Rising temperatures increase the moisture-holding capacity of air with warmer air releasing intense rainfall suddenly; western disturbances (WD) becoming erratic and stronger and the changing monsoon patterns now overlapping with WD systems. This combination is dangerous for Himalayan regions.
One has to understand that ecological degradation amplifies damage. Cloudbursts are natural phenomena and disasters are not.
Damage increases because of deforestation and loss of natural vegetation, road cutting and slope destabilisation, encroachment on floodplains and stream channels, blocking of natural drainage paths and mining and unscientific construction.
Bare slopes convert rainfall into destructive runoff instead of groundwater recharge.
Notably, steep slopes and narrow valleys, high sediment load, fragile geology and seismicity, poor drainage planning and settlements located along nallahs and riverbanks make Kashmir more vulnerable to cloudbursts. Events in Ramban, Kishtwar, Reasi, Poonch, and parts of the Valley clearly show this vulnerability.
As all of us know the cloudbursts cause flash floods and debris flows; landslides and slope failures; loss of lives and property; destruction of roads, bridges, and power projects; siltation of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and contamination of drinking water sources
TIMES LINK: What must be done to neutralise the impact of cloudbursts?
MUTAHARRA DEVA: See, we cannot stop cloudbursts , but we can stop them from becoming disasters. Ignoring climate science, ecological limits, and land-use discipline will make every extreme rainfall event a tragedy.Cloudbursts are nature’s stress tests. Each event is telling us thatclimate change is real, ecosystems are weakened and planning must change immediately.
If we continue business as usual, cloudbursts will keep reminding us, at an ever higher cost.We need early warning systems consisting of dense rain gauge networks, doppler radar integration and localised forecasting. Besides, land-use regulation is a must where no construction in nallahs, floodways, or unstable slopes is allowed and hazard zonation maps must guide planning.
Catchment restoration including afforestation with native species, slope stabilisation and protection of wetlands & floodplains; climate-resilient infrastructure (roads with proper drainage, bridges designed for extreme events and avoiding excessive hill cutting); and community preparedness in terms of local disaster response training, public awareness on warning signs and evacuation protocols are some of the measures which need to be taken to meet the challenges of cloudbursts in an effective way.
