Sheikh Sameer
Sheikh Sameer
Srinagar: In a strong endorsement of sustainable development, Kashmir Concern (NGO) led by Chairman Dr. Touseef Ahmed has welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s emphatic environmental pledge during the inauguration of Van Mahotsav 2025, where he declared, “Development must be judicious; for every tree uprooted, a hundred must be planted.”
The NGO hailed the statement as a timely recognition of ecological responsibility amid growing pressure on Kashmir’s fragile urban ecosystem. The CM’s remarks come at a critical moment as public debate intensifies over the proposed flyover linking MA Link Road to Rajbagh, a project that could cut through Polo Ground—one of Srinagar’s last central green lungs—and threaten dozens of heritage chinar trees.
Calling the chinar “a living testament to Kashmir’s identity,” Kashmir Concern warned that the loss of these trees would worsen biodiversity decline, exacerbate urban air pollution, and destabilize Srinagar’s microclimate. The NGO also flagged the potential destruction of Polo Ground, a vital hub for youth sports, community gatherings, and mental well-being.
“At a time when youth vulnerability, including substance abuse, is rising, such open spaces are not luxuries but necessities,” the NGO stated.
Dr. Touseef Ahmed further highlighted urban planning challenges, warning that Srinagar’s flood risks and waterlogging problems could intensify with unchecked concretization. “Cities prone to flooding cannot afford to replace permeable green spaces with concrete. Global urban planning failures must guide us,” he said.
As a sustainable alternative, the NGO has proposed optimizing the underutilized Zero Bridge to ease traffic congestion without sacrificing heritage and ecology. “Development must prioritize clean air, climate resilience, and cultural legacy—not just speed of commute,” Dr. Touseef emphasized.
The NGO also drew attention to the slow “strangulation” of Srinagar’s ancient chinars due to trunk encasement in concrete and granite. “We cannot claim to protect what we simultaneously suffocate,” Dr. Touseef remarked.
Kashmir Concern (NGO) has demanded:
✅ A public consultation and an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the flyover project.
✅ Policy reforms to ensure infrastructure aligns with ecological safeguards.
✅ That CM Omar Abdullah’s pledge translates into “not just tree-planting ceremonies but systemic change.”
“Polo Ground and our chinars are irreplaceable. Protecting them is investing in Kashmir’s cultural heritage, climate resilience, and future generations,” said Dr. Touseef Ahmed.
The Kashmir Dialogues
