There is clear evidence of ecological erosion, and intense air, water, and soil pollution within a radius of at least 20 kilometres of these demonic factories. But the question is, what is being done by the Government to ensure that these cement factories comply with the necessary norms set up? The answer seems to be a big no because that is what the ground situation tells us.
These days, people are facing undue heatwave even as we are just in April when the temperature used to remain bearable. In Jammu, the mercury went up in March and broke all the records while in Kashmir, where the heatwave isn’t visible yet, there has been a considerable increase in temperature, which the experts have stated is not normal and might be pointing toward harsh months ahead.
Also, not only J&K but entire North India in specific and most of the parts in the country in general, are these days reeling under darkness because the heat has intensified and the rivers and other water bodies have dried up due to the lack of rain. J&K alone received 82% deficient rain this season so far, which is resulting in the drying up of water reservoirs and with that, the absence and shortage of drinking water. As of now, apart from electricity, the people are also now facing drinking water woes.
There is a dire need for the Government to now wake up from a deep slumber concerning the devastation of the fragile environments across J&K, particularly Kashmir. All over again, there is a need not only to ensure that the cement factories that are running in Kashmir adhere to the rules and regulations but there is also a need for taking steps the relocation, shutting down factories from the areas where they have ended up causing immense and beyond repair damage to the surroundings—because, due to such factories, everything is under threat, be it humans, animals or fauna. Now is the time to act and act effectively, because once it is out of control, it is going to be beyond repair.
