EPG honours Kashmir’s Environmental Champions, raises concern over loss of public green spaces

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, August 23: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) on Saturday commemorated its departed co-founders and remembered its mentor and ideologue, late Syed Nassarullah Shah, on his fourth death anniversary at a function held at the Institution of Engineers, Srinagar.

The annual event brought together members of civil society, academicians, lawyers, environmental activists and researchers to remember the contributions of those associated with the environmental movement and recognise individuals who have made significant contributions towards environmental conservation and public causes.

A seminar on “Loss of Green/Open Spaces and Its Impact on Environment” was also held as part of the programme.

Former Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and former Commissioner-Secretary, General Administration Department, Farooq Ahmad Lone was the chief guest.

A major highlight of the function was the recognition of environmental activist and Rahim Greens CEO Abdul Hamid Bhat for planting a recorded 3.5 lakh saplings and plants. Bhat has set himself the ambitious target of planting one million trees.

The EPG acknowledged Bhat’s contribution to plantation and environmental conservation, particularly in view of the personal challenges he has faced. Bhat suffered a serious accident after being hit by a truck while cycling on the Bypass around a year ago. He has since recovered to the extent of being able to walk with the support of a stick and a helper, while continuing his commitment to environmental conservation.

In his welcome address, EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi lauded environmental activists for continuing their conservation efforts despite difficult circumstances and expressed serious concern over the rapid disappearance of green and open spaces.

He particularly referred to the proposed construction-related plans concerning the Polo Ground, describing the open space as a lifeline for thousands of youngsters who use it for sports, recreation and indoor games throughout the year.

Bakshi cautioned that the loss of such spaces could deprive young people of healthy recreational outlets and make them more vulnerable to drug addiction and other social problems.

He said the EPG had made several representations to the Government, from the Chief Minister to officials at lower levels of administration, but had not received a response. He added that efforts to obtain complete information through the Right to Information mechanism had also failed to provide clarity, leaving important details about the proposed interventions shrouded in secrecy.

Referring to Farooq Ahmad Lone’s contribution as Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Bakshi recalled his role in allotting 32 kanals of land at Khonmoh for the Permian-Triassic Park. He said the administrative decision had helped preserve fossils and a geological section associated with a significant global event in Earth’s history.

“If that decision had not been taken, the fossils and the section, which are a repository of a significant global event of the Great Dying, could have ended up being destroyed through stone mining, crushed aggregate and cement-related activity,” he said, saluting Lone for what he described as an administrative and historic act.

‘More open spaces needed for youth’

Chairman of the EPG Legal Committee, Advocate Shafqat Nazir, dealt at length with the consequences of losing green and open spaces, particularly for young people.

He argued that there should be more open spaces, playgrounds and sports infrastructure to provide young people with constructive alternatives to drugs.

Nazir pointed out what he described as a contradiction between policy declarations against drug addiction and the disappearance of spaces that provide opportunities for sports and recreation.

He said that if the Polo Ground gives way to a flyover, football, hockey and rugby grounds, as well as the Sunday market, would disappear.

Referring to constitutional provisions and Supreme Court judgments, Nazir spoke about the Government’s obligation to protect public spaces, the environment and public health. He referred to the doctrine of public trust recognised in Supreme Court judgments, including those associated with V.S. Mutappa and M.C. Mehta, arguing that public resources such as land, water, forests and open spaces are held by the Government as a trustee for the public rather than as an absolute owner.

He questioned whether stakeholders, including youngsters, Polo View shopkeepers and the Pollution Control Committee, had been consulted about the proposed project and, if so, why their feedback had not been made public.

“The amount spent on the flyover will not buy us even ‘one Chinar’,” he concluded.

Former Chief Town Planner Iftikhar Hakim, in his presentation, spoke about the loss of open and green spaces, wetlands and water bodies in Srinagar over the past several decades.

He warned that allowing further construction on open spaces identified for protection under the Master Plan-2035 would undermine Srinagar’s heritage character.

Hakim also referred to the earth-filling of the Nowgam Flood Absorption Basin for setting up an industrial and warehousing area, despite restrictions on development and construction in the area under the Master Plan.

He warned that continuing with such interventions could increase the city’s vulnerability to flooding.

Prof. Javed Hussain Mir of the Islamic University of Science and Technology spoke about the challenges facing the environment, natural resources and the livelihoods of citizens.

Referring to various surveys and research findings, he highlighted the positive impact of green environments and plants on human well-being and stressed the importance of nature-based solutions for conserving natural resources and improving human well-being.

Tributes paid to Syed Nassarullah Shah

Chairman of the RTI Movement and Climate Action Group, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, recalled his long association with late Syed Nassarullah Shah and paid tribute to his oratorical and drafting skills, crusading spirit and commitment to public causes.

He described Shah as a fearless campaigner who was prepared to take on powerful interests in pursuit of people’s and societal causes. He recalled Shah’s contribution to the human rights and Right to Information movements and said the best tribute to his memory would be to carry forward his legacy.

Ajaz Rasool said his association with Syed Nassarullah dated back to the drafting of the EPG flood-related PIL in 2015. He said he was particularly impressed by Shah’s vocabulary and drafting skills.

Rasool added that environmental activists needed to be more proactive in their conservation efforts, warning that failure to protect natural resources could leave future generations to “curse us.”

Chief guest Farooq Ahmad Lone commended the EPG for organising the annual event in memory of Syed Nassarullah Shah, late Syed Abdul Rashid Shah and late Mohammad Ramzan Khan (Gurezi), who had co-founded the Environmental Policy Group and contributed to its activities.

He said the well-being of the environment was intrinsically linked to the well-being of society and observed that the presentations made during the function were particularly relevant in the context of climate change and global warming.

Lone congratulated the awardees and described them as crusaders for environmental protection.

He was felicitated with a Chinar, the emblem of Kashmir, carved out of walnut wood.

The EPG also honoured late Syed Abdul Rashid Shah, Co-founder and Trustee of EPG, posthumously, with the award being received by his family members. Late G.H. Kango, former PCCF Forests and Chairman PEC, was also honoured posthumously, with family members receiving the recognition.

Other awardees and recipients of mementoes included Er. Iftikhar Hakim, Prof. Javed Hussain Mir, Syed Sammi Nassarullah Shah, Advocates Shafqat Nazir and Shabir A. Bhat of the EPG Legal Team, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Er. Ajaz Rasool, Dr G.N. Qasba, Gowhar Maqbool, Advocate Rasikh Rasool, Ajaz Ahmad Dar, Rauf Tramboo, Shahala Sheikh and Faiz Bakshi.

In his vote of thanks, EPG Co-Convenor Dr M.M. Shuja thanked the chief guest and participants for attending the programme.

Remembering Syed Nassarullah Shah as a powerful voice for society, human rights, the RTI movement, environmental protection and social causes, Dr Shuja said Shah had also been a champion of public interest litigation and had drafted more than two dozen PILs.

He recalled the last words spoken to him by Shah around two hours before his death: “Follow the PILs and petitions — strengthen the organisation — continue service to society.”

The programme was anchored by EPG Co-founder and Trustee Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad, while the award ceremony was conducted by Dr Tauseef Bhat, EPG Co-founder and Trustee, who also recalled his long association with Syed Nassarullah Shah and Syed Abdul Rashid Shah.