Srinagar, July 8, KNT: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Wednesday expressed concern over the reported melting of the naturally formed ice lingam at the Amarnath cave shrine, attributing it to environmental degradation and calling for a long-term sustainable policy for Kashmir's fragile ecosystem.
In a post on X, Mufti claimed that the naturally formed ice lingam had melted within a week of the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra. She alleged that climate change, indiscriminate felling of trees, illegal mining, poor waste management and depletion of water resources were major contributing factors.
"The environment has become a casualty in Kashmir's politics. It has no power currency," she wrote, while stressing the need for a comprehensive environmental and tourism policy to protect the region's mountains, rivers and glaciers.
Drawing a comparison with Bhutan, Iltija Mufti said Kashmir required a long-term model of sustainable environmental management, warning that failure to protect its natural resources would have serious consequences for the region.. [KNT]
