Geneva, (Parliament Times) : Highlighting the effects of climate change on human lives, the speakers of a seminar have said that dealing with the threats posed by climate change to human life in disputed areas is the biggest challenge for the world.
International experts, human rights activists, diplomats, and academicians from different parts of the world participated in the seminar.
The seminar was presided over by Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan Executive Director KIIR, Speakers included Dr. Imtiaz Khan USA, Dr. Syed Waqas Ali, American Human Rights Activist, Dr. Saira Farooq, Syed Muhammad Ali, Strategic Expert. Ms. Fatima Waheed NDU participated.
Describing climate change as a global issue, the speakers said that climate change poses a serious threat to people living in conflict-affected areas where communities are ravaged by political conflict, violence, and a large military presence. Challenges and threats are being faced. They said that collective response and concerted action are urgently needed to save vulnerable populations from climate change. The territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is illegally occupied by India, is one of the most affected areas in the world where climate change has affected the lives of Kashmiris in various ways.
“Kashmir, like other parts of the world, has seen significant depletion of groundwater,” they said, adding that Kashmir’s wetlands, which are home to hundreds of bird species throughout the year, are vulnerable to climate change.
Referring to a news report on the impact of climate change in the Himalayan region. Kashmir is a region of the world that is also home to snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and river systems. Climate change can be a driver of conflict, but in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, climate change itself is the driver of conflict, the speakers said.
Developed countries, that are directly responsible for global warming, should come forward in a big way to help countries suffering from climate change deal with disasters and cope with climate challenges. To increase their capacity and efficiency, they added.
Referring to the large-scale presence of troops in Kashmir, the speakers said that the army’s presence was a major factor contributing to serious climate problems in the region. “More than 900,000 soldiers armed with heavy weapons by India are the main cause of environmental instability in the region.
“The troops stationed on the rapidly melting Siachen Glacier are affecting the natural ecosystem and the military activities there are causing the temperature rise”.Deployment of the Indian Army on LoC is also disrupting the ecological system of the region, they said.
There is a need for joint efforts and a broader strategy to deal with the environmental crisis. In addition to cooperation between communities and state institutions, early warning systems, and cross-border data-sharing mechanisms are needed to reduce losses during natural disasters, they added.
To achieve peace, through mutual trust and cooperation between the states, only by solving political problems like Jammu and Kashmir, the establishment of peace can be ensured across the world, they said.