Destruction of IIOJK’s Ecosystem: APHC Accuses Indian Forces of Environmental Devastation

The deliberate destruction of IIOJK’s lush landscapes by Indian forces has raised alarming concerns about its long-term environmental impact.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has revealed shocking details about the systematic destruction of the environment in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to the APHC, Indian military and paramilitary forces have been setting forests on fire, polluting water sources, and even cutting down fruit trees. The group’s spokesman, Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a recent statement from Srinagar, highlighted how explosives are used to start fires in ecologically sensitive areas, with the aim of establishing military camps and firing ranges.

The APHC expressed deep concern over the rise in forest fires, particularly in areas such as Harwan-Shankaracharya range, Bagediam in Srinagar, Tral to Pahalgam in South Kashmir, Rafiabad and Bandipora in North Kashmir, as well as the Ganderbal region, including Gutilbagh, Shalbagh, and Akahalt forests. These fires are believed to be intentionally caused by Indian troops, leading to significant harm to the environment. The group strongly condemned the Indian Army’s involvement in these activities, accusing them of contributing to ecological destruction.

Reports have also surfaced that Indian forces are secretly cutting down apple orchards in Kashmir under the cover of darkness. In response to these reports, local police have instructed orchard owners to install CCTV cameras to monitor activity in these areas. The APHC views this as part of a larger plan by India to undermine the region’s agricultural economy.

A particularly disturbing case involves the occupation of the Bajpathri forest area near the Yusmarg hill resort in Badgam district. The Indian Army has allegedly turned this lush green space into a military artillery range, further destabilizing the delicate ecosystem of IIOJK. The APHC has warned that similar activities across the region, including in Jammu, are causing widespread damage to forests, thus threatening the environment’s delicate balance.

The APHC has also called out India for violating international environmental agreements by carrying out such destructive activities at a time when global efforts are being made to tackle climate change. The organization argues that India’s actions not only harm the local environment but also contribute to the worsening global climate crisis.

India’s ongoing occupation of IIOJK, according to the APHC, has led to the systematic destruction of essential ecological resources that help control global temperatures. The APHC argues that India’s disregard for the environment reflects its broader political goals in the region, where military interests outweigh the well-being of local residents and the environment.

The APHC has strongly criticized India for treating IIOJK as a colony, prioritizing military objectives over the welfare of the Kashmiri people. It claims that India is using the region as a weapons depot, further ignoring the human suffering caused by its actions. Moreover, the APHC warns that the region’s fragile economy could collapse under the weight of these military operations.

The APHC is urging international organizations and environmental watchdogs to take immediate action against India’s reckless destruction of IIOJK’s environment. The APHC calls for accountability regarding the violation of both environmental and human rights laws.