Kashmir is known for its scenic beauty, which has captivated visitors since ancient times. There is no denying the fact that Kashmir is paradise on the Earth, a Srinagar its heart. The City is the most important, significant and authoritative part of Kashmir. The Dal and Nageen lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the City is equally attractive to visitors round the year.
 But unfortunately it is nowadays getting worse and nobody is taking action. Despite many efforts by the Non Government Organisations (NGOs) there has been no much gain. The Government does not seem to be doing things the way they are required to revive the glory of this City. Srinagar is in shambles in every regard, be it electricity, sanitation, or roads.
 Besides, the polythene continues to be the part and parcel of our lives. I feel Eco-friendly measures are to be taken.
  I would suggest that Floriculture Department should take a lead and function as a flagship in organizing all floricultural activities in the City. The activities can be carried in collaboration with other concerned departments like Horticulture, Tourism, Educational Institutes and SMC etc.
 This way we could effectively plant trees of kind on the main road. We could have pine trees, apricot trees and flowers as and where they could be found feasible. This needs a proper R&D by the concerned departments.
 It would serve the purpose of attracting the tourists. Even the locals could play some role to take care of the planted lot. This would send a loud message for the improvement of our environment and motivate each individual to live in clean and flowery surroundings.
 Firstly, to achieve this, we should fence all waste lands available along roads, graveyards, river banks etc. Within the municipal limits planting of flowering bushes be taken up. The SMC, on the other hand, should ban movement of stray cattle and horses in City limits to save these plantations. The population of stray dogs also needs to be checked.
 Trees be planted along wide roads, vehicles should be checked for pollution after a regular intervals.
 Also, to decongest Srinagar city, we should encourage the use of bicycles and also ban movement of all four wheelers on the congested roads in Shahr-e-Khaas. These should be regarded as cycle corridors for commuters.
 This would facilitate easy movement of students and office goers in peak hours and reducing emanation of hydrocarbons as well, thus reducing levels of harmful gases within the otherwise congested City.
 Special festivals regarding environment awareness should be held with active and vigorous participation of the common people.
 The preventive measures mentioned can usher in prosperity. Let’s start now because it is better late than never and better something than nothing for our City.
Sameer Rashid Bhat
(The idea’s expressed are author’s own)

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST