"We do not intherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" - Native American Proverb
Climate change is an issue that knows no boundaries, and its sweeping effects are explicitly visible in regions once viewed as perfect and immaculate. Neelum Valley, a picturesque valley in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has succumbed to the negative impacts of climate change, resulting from the deforestation of its rare cedar trees. In this article, I delve into the destructive outcomes of deforestation, from the land sliding and soil erosion to the upsetting rise in temperatures. I will likewise focus on the implications, responses, and solutions, as I propose an alternate to prevent the use of burning cedar wood, which produces clean energy and contributes to the mitigation of climate change.
Nestled in the midst of the mighty Himalayan Mountains, Neelum Valley, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has for quite some time been commended for its charming beauty and mesmerizing nature. In any case, underneath this pleasant scene lies a grave ecological emergenc —the boundless deforestation of cedar trees—an emergency that influences the local environment as well as resounds worldwide. This article dives into the causes and results of cedar deforestation, the significant effect it has on environmental change, the fundamental role cedar trees play in the economy and culture, and the more extensive ecological ramifications.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now" - Chinese Proverb
The natural repercussions of cedar deforestation in Neelum Valley are frightening. The shortfall of cedar trees prompts soil erosion, as these trees assume a vital part in mooring the soil with their roots. Without them, land sliding becomes uncontrolled, undermining nearby lands and water quality. In the valley, the stream moving from Salkhala merges into Neelum Valley and causes the main floods. The cloudburst in July 2021 caused about 30 deaths in the aforementioned valley. The floods moved from Neelum to Muzaffarabad, and a couple drowned in the floods. The unstable slopes resulting from the removal of cedar trees also increase the frequency of landslides during heavy rains, posing risks to human lives and infrastructure. Moreover, the disappearance of cedar timberlands upsets the sensitive environmental balance of the area, imperiling the endurance of various plant and creature species. Quite, species like the Himalayan snow bear and panthers and other native species face an elevated gamble of elimination because of their natural surroundings’ hustles and disturbed biological systems. In the past, people would need and store their clothes and dress for winter; however, today the severity of the environment in winter isn't simply of that level.
As glaciers continue to recede due to rising temperatures, the hydrological cycle is disrupted. Statistics suggest that annual snowfall in the region has decreased by 19% in the last decade. In an interview on 24 August 2016, about the implications of climate change in the valley, Abdul Rehman, a teacher at a local school in Sardari, a village with 1400 households, and Muhammad Siddiq Shakir, village headman (Numbardar), recalled that Sardari would get 16–17 feet of snow when they were children. Due to climate change, that amount is now down by 50 percent. Bashir Ahmed Wani, the Inspector General of Forests at the Ministry of Environment of Pakistan, describes how changes in the climate in Neelum Valley have led to artistic, agrarian, and natural changes. This shift in rush patterns has far-reaching consequences, leading to variations in water vacuity and agricultural practices in Neelum Valley. Glacial melt in the neighboring region exacerbates the rise in temperatures within Neelum Valley. It is estimated that temperatures in the valley have increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius over the past two decades. This warming trend has altered the ecosystem, affecting flora, fauna, and the livelihoods of local communities.
"The Earth is what we all have in common." - Wandell
In different regions all over the world, forests have demonstrated their viability in preventing soil erosion, avalanches, and flooding. For instance, in the Himalayan region, forests act as stabilizers for the steep terrain. Their root foundations hold soil set up, diminishing the probability of avalanches during heavy rainfall or seismic occasions. In the Amazon rainforest, the dense canopy assists intercept and slow precipitation, preventing quick spillover that can lead to flooding and soil erosion.
At the point when I was working with an NGO, I proposed an idea of utilizing solar cookers rather than consuming cedar wood as fuel, which was exceptionally valued, yet because of the absence of assets, it couldn't be applied over a huge scope. Cooking with the free energy of the sun eliminates carbon emigration, protects the health of women, and preserves the timbers and the soils. Solar cookers are not only for cooking purposes; they can be employed to pasteurize water and dry foods. They can be erected from cheap original accoutrements. The advantages of solar cookers go a long way past environmental change, as a matter of fact, contributing to the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Pretensions. The solar cooker helps break the pattern of energy impecuniousness, further perfecting lives each over the globe and giving a vital system for conforming to a changing world. BB Solar cookers offer a sustainable solution for Neelum Valley to mitigate climate change and prevent deforestation. By tackling the plentiful daylight, these cookers diminish the requirement for biomass, saving local wood and decreasing carbon emissions. This keeps up with the delicate environment as well as further develops air quality, prompting better wellbeing for the local populace. Moreover, solar cookers offer economic advantages by lessening family costs, making them a useful and eco-friendly choice for the region.
The urgency of addressing deforestation cannot be overstated. It’s a global crisis with far-reaching consequences for climate change, biodiversity loss, and the well-being of communities that rely on forests. The window to battle deforestation and advance sustainable forestry practices is quickly disappearing. Prompt activity is expected to invert the patterns, and this includes strict regulations, enhanced enforcement, and upgraded authorization. The cedar trees of Neelum Valley, once guardians of the land, are currently echoing the dire call for preservation, for their destruction undermines the actual soul of this flawless locale. In the face of climate challenges, the introduction of solar cookers enlightens a way towards sustainability, as well as symbolizes our commitment to reestablishing the natural balance in Neelum Valley.
References
Farooq, Z., & Farooq, Z. (2023, March 31). Effects of Climate Change on AJK of Pakistan. ENVPK.COM - Best Environmental Website Of Pakistan. https://www.envpk.com/effects-of-climate-change-on-ajk-of-pakistan/.
Mountain Partnership: News detail. (n.d.). https://www.fao.org/mountain-partnership/news/news-detail/en/c/433036/
Contributor, G. (2023, July 27). COP-28 and Climate change in PoJK-GB. Greater Kashmir. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/op-ed/cop-28-and-climate-change-in-pojk-gb
Solar Cooking: One Piece of the Climate Solution :: Solar Cookers International. (n.d.). https://www.solarcookers.org/about/blog/solar-cooking-one-piece-climate-solution
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