Preamble
Planet Earth is the Divine Gift for the entire humanity. God has provided the natural resources and means of sustenance for all the human beings & biodiversity. Certain parts of the world enjoy special aesthetics and natural beauty. Such places are considered as parts of Heaven on Earth, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is one such example. Any person who visits J&K appreciates this great creation of The Creator and Cherisher.
Unfortunately India has occupied this piece of land illegally for the last 72 years although historically much earlier than that. Since then 0.8 million strong military forces are undertaking strategic and tactical operation unabatedly tarnishing the environmental aesthetics of J&K. Indian troops are destroying the physical, biological and socio-economic-cultural environments. They are bent upon ruining the ecological canvas of this beautiful land. They have greatly enhanced their military manoeuvres thereby endangering Nature and natural resources of this heavenly valley.
Adverse impacts
on Physical Environments Physical resources include land, soil, geology, water, atmosphere, air, noise, climate, etc.
Land Pollution
Indian occupation troops are using the land for their living and nefarious activities thereby denying the local communities their legitimate right. Kashmiri land cannot be sold or used or purchased by the outsiders, in fact large chunks of land are being used along the line of control (LoC) after having removed the greenery.
Atmospheric Pollution
Air is being polluted heavily with smoke, dust & chemicals, smog, fuel generated by vehicles, gunfire and aerial operations.
Generation of Greenhouse Gases
Large quantities of greenhouse gases are generated. These add to local warming. Petrol, oils and lubricants (POL) dumps are one of the main contributors.
Noise and Auditory Pollution
Annoying noise vibrations are produced all the time by the occupying troops. The noise causes mental stresses for the civilian population living along the LoC. The wildlife is equally affected since they either are facing extinction or moving away from LoC. Microclimate is severely damaged since the local temperature rises which is harmful not only for human beings but also for animals and plants.
Water Resources
Water bodies are extensively polluted on account of inflow of untreated domestic wastes and effluents from the camps of soldiers. Workshop effluents and vehicle oil & washes enter the resources because of which lakes (which are tourist attractions) are heavily polluted on account of their misuse.
Negative impact on Biological Environment
Damage to Flora
All types of flora whether in urban areas, rural localities or along the LoC are being cut extensively for military use. Trees are felled ruthlessly in forests thus denuding the Kashmir valley of this ornament. The same is true in case of medicinal plants for which the valley is known globally.
Harm to Fauna
Military operations cause huge destruction to animals and livestock. Both terrestrial and aquatic fauna cannot have breeding places when Indian troops occupy every inch of land and use weapons & ammunition without discrimination. Resultantly the animal and wildlife migrate to other places or perish, enrooted or killed by gunfire. Birds cannot make their nests on trees especially when the aerial operations and gunfire generate undesirable and unbearable high pitch & high level noise and smoke, dust & chemicals.
Effects on Socio-Economic-Cultural-Religious Environment
Mental Stresses
Kashmiris have been living under siege in the occupied territory since 1947. They have always been kept in fear, uncertain conditions, physical and mental torture and civilization stresses. Their leaders and political heads have often been placed under house arrest or put in prison. Generally the Indian rulers disgrace and degrade the Kashmiri people. Syed Ali Gilani, Chairman HURRIYYAT CONFERENCE has appealed to all Muslims of the world with the message “save our soul“ to shield Kashmiri Muslims from total massacre and genocide.
Maltreatment of Women
Women are respected in every society. The western countries grant equal rights to women. Islam enjoins equity for women in all respects and in many cases more than the male. The opposite is the case in occupied J&K.
Women have freely been raped, disgraced and sexually harassed by the occupation troops. They cannot raise their voice for justice which is simply denied to them. The courts cannot help Kashmir Muslims against killing or murder of their kith and kin by Indian soldiers.
Violation of Fundamental Human Rights
Kashmiris have been living continuously under siege since prior to 1947. Imposition of curfew varies from time to time and at present they are confined to their houses since the last 20 days (when this piece is being written). The current curfew is such that they have been deprived of fundamental human rights including food, medicines and daily use materials. The children have no access for milk and other items. Indian colonial forces have promulgated deaths, disease and hunger as a routine affair for the Kashmiris. A few violations are mentioned below:
Non-Existence of Communication
The Kashmiris are deprived of all communications means among themselves and with the outside world. They do not have access to telephone, fax, email and internet etc. Nobody in the world knows what is happening to them and they themselves cannot communicate with the outside world about the state of affairs. India has imposed absolute blackout in J&K.
Deprivation of Civic Necessities
Non availability of food, clothing, shelter, education and health have become nightmare for Kashmiris. They are an indigenous population therefore they should enjoy special status but they are being treated as aliens.
Infringement of United Nations (UN Charter)
India has exhibited complete disregard for the rights UN Charter bestows on human beings notwithstanding colour, creed, religion, philosophy, geography, etc. The UN Charter has included the human rights (UNHCHR, 2018) in its charter. These are covered under Rights in the international Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights.
Divided Families
Kashmiris living on either side of the LoC are one people, they could be Muslims (majority population) Hindus or Christians. Their families have been restrained from meeting each other by the Indian terrorists. Even the two Irelands have free access to each other in all respects but the Kashmiris are facing an unprecedented divided families situation that human history has not recorded so far.
Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change has engulfed the entire Planet Earth where South-East Asia is especially impacted. The women and children are confronted with grave health and environmental concerns.
Demographic Alteration
Kashmir is a disputed territory in light of resolutions of UN Security Council. Its demography cannot be altered till an independent plebiscite is held under UN auspices. In the garb of unabated occupation of Kashmir, India plans to settle people other than Kashmiris in Jammu and other places. If permitted a new wave of conflicts will erupt among locals and non locals leading to tremendous loss of life and property.
Denial of Job Opportunities
After abrogation of articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution any Indian citizen can get a job in occupied J&K. This will deny the local Kashmiris of their legitimate right for employment.
Performance of Religious Obligations
At present the Kashmiris are confined to their houses and are not allowed to go to mosques, EID GAHS and IMAM BARGAHS. They have been stopped from praying in the recent EID-UL-AZHA and from performing sacrifice of animals.
Recommendations
The UN bodies like Security Council, General Assembly, UNEP, UNDP, WHO and UNCHR should take cognizance of the deteriorating environment and enforce political & economic sanctions against Indian Government. India must be tried in International Court of Justice for committing genocide.
The UN and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should take immediate notice of human rights violation on part of India. These bodies should ensure revival of fundamental human rights lest the Kashmiris undergo mass killing by the blood thirsty and fascist ruling party of India.
The UN must arrange independent plebiscite after withdrawal of occupation Indian forces from the sacred land of Kashmir to allow Kashmiris to exercise their right of self determination.
About one million Kashmiri refugees from occupied J&K are residing in Pakistan. Their issues need to be settled on emergency basis by the UN.
India must not be permitted to undertake water terrorism by stopping water originating from J&K to enter Pakistan in order to render the latter a barren country.
India can venture with a nuclear war with Pakistan as enunciated by her Defence Minister on 15 August, 2019. The world must take notice of their hegemonic design that will cause a deadly holocaust in the region.
