Protecting Natural Systems Now Vital For Survival

The Himalayas are a living heritage that sustains millions of lives. Yet, as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha pointed out at the IUST conference, the region witnessed a natural disaster almost every day between January and August last year. Flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides have disrupted roads, water supply, and power feeders across Jammu and Kashmir. We are playing with fire, and nature is warning us. Protecting natural systems is now a survival imperative. LG’s observation that “nature itself is infrastructure” captures a fundamental truth. Wetlands are nature’s reservoirs, absorbing excess monsoon water and releasing it during dry months. Dense forests act as strong walls, protecting mountain slopes from collapse. When we destroy these systems, we destroy our own safety net. The Lieutenant Governor’s six recommendations offer a practical roadmap. The use of remote sensing, geospatial mapping, and AI to track glacier retreat and soil health must become standard practice. Nature-based solutions must be embedded in project budgets, not treated as afterthoughts. Farmers, shepherds, and tribal communities must be equal stakeholders—their generational knowledge of rivers and mountains is invaluable. Annual budget reviews must include whether forests and ecosystems have grown richer or weaker. Platforms for long-term cooperation among scientists, policymakers, and communities are essential. And we must move beyond concrete embankments to restore floodplains and wetlands. The urgency is undeniable. The Green Jammu Kashmir Drive raised forest cover to nearly 55 percent, showing what is possible when commitment meets action. But much more remains to be done. Universities must elevate nature-based solutions into multidisciplinary subjects, and future professionals must understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems, economies, and societies. The Himalayas demand foresight, patience, and responsibility. We must place nature at the centre of development, integrate modern technology with traditional wisdom, and involve communities as equal partners. Anything less would be a betrayal of future generations.