Navigating the Dual Challenge of Neelum Valley: Conflict and Environment
Navigating the Dual Challenge of Neelum Valley: Conflict and Environment
Abstract:
This research article delves into the intricate interplay between conflict and environmental concerns in Neelum Valley, a region widely known for its breathtaking landscapes. The conflict-hit Valley, located between the lower and upper Himalayas, presents a unique case study of the dual challenge posed by armed conflict and environmental degradation.This article explores the multifaceted impacts of conflict on the environment, as well as the reciprocal influences of environmental issues on conflict dynamics in the region. Through an interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from political science, environmental studies, and social geography, this study aims to shed light on potential strategies to navigate these challenges and promote sustainable development in Neelum Valley.
Keywords:
Neelum Valley, conflict, environment, sustainable development, indigenous knowledge, policy approaches, transboundary cooperation, geopolitical complexities.
Introduction:
Kashmir is a disputed region and is recognized as an international conflict according to UN resolution. Kashmir exists in a temporary state of division, bifurcated into Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), and IIOJK (Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) known as Jammu Kashmir. AJK is administratively divided into 10 districts while Neelum Valley is the largest by area comprised of 3621 square km.It is located in the northmost part of Azad Jammu Kashmir and has an enclosure from the three sides by mountains, rivers, and geopolitical borders, forming natural seclusion. Neelum Valley is situated in the lower and upper Himalayas and the area has been divided into three climatic zones, the glacial zone, the very cold temperate continental winter rains alpine region, and the very cold temperate continental winter rains region.
These climatic distinctions contribute to the region's unique environmental characteristics, further shaping its socio-economic and ecological dynamics. The central route of Neelum Valley runs along the Neelum River through Neelum road from Taobat to Baryan and at many points shares Loc with proximity. However, the region has also been marred by persistent conflict between India and Pakistan, leading to a myriad of socio-political, economic, and environmental challenges. This article seeks to unpack how conflict and environmental issues are intertwined in Neelum Valley and to propose possible pathways toward their resolution.
Conflict and Environmental Impact: Life in the Neelum Valley depends upon the security situation on the LoC and the situation on the LoC proportionally depends upon the India-Pakistan relations. Neelum Valley had enjoyed isolation for a very long period. The valley with a strikingly picturesque landscape has been an abode of peace and tranquility, where people lived peacefully. However, the situation in the region took an ugly turn when the resistance movement against India started in Jammu Kashmir in 1989. Being at the close range of the Indian army, the Neelum valley became an easy target of heavy shelling by Indian border security forces.
The Indian forces’ shelling of the LoC from 1989 to 2003 led to the suffering of the local community and the destruction of the environment. In 2003, India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement that provided relief to the local population but the heavily mined and fenced border didn’t give relief to the wild animals in the region The LoC remained most of the time peaceful till 2016 the rise of the BJP in India and Jammu Kashmir. The skirmishes of cross-border firing started after the killing of Burhan Wani by Indian forces and continued till 2021 a CBM signed that both sides would hold the 2003 ceasefire agreement. After 2021 both sides haven’t violated the agreement but the cluster ammunition used previously had exploded several times in the valley.
Armed conflict has both direct and indirect consequences on the environment in Neelum Valley. The direct impacts include damage to infrastructure, deforestation due to military operations, and pollution from military-related activities. Neelum Valley was highly impacted by the protracted armed conflict from 1989 to 2003, around 2300 people were killed and more than 5,000 were injured or disabled due to the cross-LoC shelling, infrastructure such as markets and houses was destroyed, and the wildfire erupted due to the firing, and military activity led to deforestation to use the land for military purpose.
Heavy militarization on both sides of the LoC had an enormous carbon footprint and the use of forests by the Army led to the deterioration of the fragile environment which has also impacted the flora and fauna of the region. The cross-LoC shelling and extensive use of explosives also result in the release of hazardous chemicals into the air, water, and soil contributing to a range of health issues among the local population, including respiratory ailments and skin diseases.
The indirect impacts encompass displacement of communities, loss of livelihoods, and altered land-use patterns, leading to changes in local ecosystems. The people were internally displaced and put pressure on host communities that had already scarce resources and the least economic opportunities in the conflict zone. Along with that many people moved to urban areas for better opportunities which resulted in the loss of traditional livelihoods. People who were once engaged in agriculture or animal husbandry have shifted to urban areas, leading to altered land utilization.
Conflict Induce Environmental Degradation:
The population of the Neelum Valley is continuously growing but the economic hardship due to conflict remains there, and people's interdependence on natural resources led to the deterioration of the environment. In AJK 42.63% area is under the forest department and 20% of that area is in Neelum Valley. People in Neelum Valley heavily rely on the forest for their subsistence need of heating and housing. According to the AJK statistics book of 2022, the local communities on average 3 trees are burnt by one household every year for heating in the absence of alternate sources. Similarly, about 5 trees on average are required to construct a house as the wood roofs have to be replaced every 8-10 years. Deodar, Pine, Fir, and Kail are important forest tree species in AJ&K that are abundantly being utilized.
In the last two decades, wood has been used enormously for commercial purposes among the local community for furniture or household and also smuggled illegally out of the valley. The demand for wood use has increased manyfold due to the increase in population and the housing infrastructure in the region. Deforestation is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation in the valley, it also leads to the destruction of wildlife habitat, due to fenced and mined borders and the wild animals moving close to the population or villages. The attack on the husbandry animals is becoming more common in the valley in the peripheral areas as well as in villages. According to the forest department, the forest is being kept and preserved but the community dependence shows the opposite.
Although according to a 2021 estimate by the forest department “1,958,000” plants have been planted in the “Neelum Valley the impact of deforestation is significant and alternate sustainable solutions should be discovered for the short as well as for the long term and in 2021 alone 370.7 million worth of timbers had been sold by the AJK government. The forest economy should not be based on timber but it should only be based on other things like herbs, and medicinal plants.
The over-exploitation of herbs and medicinal plants has also led to the extinction of many species in the valley. There should be some mechanism to manage the non-timber forest economy. There is also a need to transform the housing industry and reduce the dependence on wood for construction and household use for which the alternative should be introduced to the local community for sustainable development.
Neelum Valley's altitude, steep slope, and seismic activity might be one of the natural cause of landslides and it is but studies shows that the frequent landslide in the Neelum Valley is caused by the heavy monsoon rain, soil erosion, deforestation, and due to unsustainable development of road infrastructure. Monsoon shift is due to the deforestation in the region which resulted the soil erosion.
A recent study shows that most of the landslides occur along the main Neelum road and some along link roads. The disturbance created by human activities in road building caused the imbalance of slope equilibrium by cutting the toes of steep mountainous terrain. And triggered a greater number of landslides near the road network. Away from the road network, the ground is more stable and safer as landslide concentration is very low.
The road network in Neelum Valley has expanded especially the link roads to villages that are being constructed especially the bypasses and many other small links that give an alternate path in times of cross-LoC instability but they are heavily causing soil erosion and landslides. Also, the construction of roads to the alpine region is impacting the vegetation and biodiversity which should be restrained in the Neelum Valley. The road infrastructure in Neelum Valley is being constructed and the trend is followed as the district road density of Neelum Valley changed from 0.05 to 0.12 km/sq.km between 2016 and 2022.
Also, Neelum Valley now lies in the monsoon region due to deforestation and climate change causes soil erosion which increases landslides, and flash-flooding in the region and shows a serious concern for the future.Also, the agriculture of Neelum Valley depends upon the rainfall, and due to the changing patterns, rainfall is also impacting the crop.
Extreme events such as Avalanches, and summer snow, cloud bursts in the high Himalayas are showing that climate change is happening and environmental degradation is the leading cause which is induced by the conflict. Neelum Valley and Kupwara might share the geopolitical boundaries but both sides share the same eco-system which should be maintained through de-militarization, de-fencing, and demining to maintain the conservation of wildlife, forest, and the protection of frontline villages that are impacted by the whole cross-border shelling.
Environmental Dynamics Influencing Conflict:
The terrain is the primary thing that dictates the conflict, Neelum Valley’s terrain and geo-political division make it more vulnerable to environmental degradation, as the forest cover is used as a shield by border forces which cause deforestation soil erosion, and landslides as well. Also, along the border the Neelum river flows which is also impacted or contaminated due to shelling and other hazardous chemicals.
Additionally, the arable land in Neelum Valley is located in the continental winter rains region which is also located along the border region, The conflict directly impacts agriculture and results in the loss of livelihoods of the border region which induces the conflict among the competing groups within the Neelum valley.
Environmental dynamics are influencing the conflict dynamics in the region and the conflict is causing environmental degradation resulting the climate change in the valley. Scarce natural resources, such as water bodies and arable land, can become potential sources of conflict among competing groups in the valley. Moreover, the degradation of the environment is also exacerbating social and economic disparities, leading to social unrest and potentially escalating conflicts among the people to exploit scarce natural resources.
Indigenous Knowledge and Livelihoods:
Indigenous communities in Neelum Valley have historically relied on their intricate understanding of the local environment for sustenance. The displacement of the local community, the resource scarcity, the insecurity of conflict, and the loss of livelihood cause cultural erosion and dependency on external aid which induces unsustainable practices among the local communities and pave the way for environmental degradation.
Neelum Valley is also culturally and archeologically rich as a few centuries ago Neelum Valley was the center of the Buddhist dynasty in the region. The conflict also impacted the cultural and archeological identity of the valley. Indigenous Knowledge is key to traditional livelihood which is disrupted by conflict and environmental degradation. Preserving and integrating this knowledge into conservation and development efforts could contribute to holistic solutions.
Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Development
1.Confidence-building measures between conflicting parties include defending and demining LOC
2. There is a potential for religious tourism between Neelum Valley and Jammu Kashmir
3. There is a need for transboundary cooperation for resource management to avoid environmental degradation across the LOC, such as data sharing, a ban on hazardous explosives, and collaboration on disaster management.
4. Reforestation campaigns in the impacted areas, adjacent to roads as well as in national parks.
5. Awareness campaign among local communities related to mitigation, prevention, and sustainability.
6. Community-based project on Capacity building and resilience towards the management of extreme weather events.
7. Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge to promote traditional livelihood.
8. There is a need to transform the housing industry and reduce the dependence on wood and the usage of alternate sustainable solutions such as hydroelectric stations and the introduction of electric appliances for heating.
9. There is a lack of literature and data on how local environmental degradation is happening, and how climate change is impacting the region. For that, the hill station of PMD should be built to monitor the rejoin environment which is different from other areas of AJK.
10. The health concerns should be addressed and the local community should be empowered through international investment.
Confidence-building measures between conflicting parties, transboundary cooperation for resource management, reforestation initiatives, and community-based conservation projects and strategies should be integrated into the government approach towards a sustainable future. The Neelum Valley conflict and environmental challenges have implications beyond the region. There is a lack of scientific data on how to address the region's environmental problems with the broad challenge of climate change which is affecting the whole world. In order to mitigate environmental degradation and the impact of climate change there is the need of the hour to collaborate with India and other international organizations on data sharing, and policy coordination
Future Scenarios and Prospects:
Through the implementation of suggested policy recommendations, the prospect for peace and conflict resolution should be increased and interdependence of both states can help to avoid cross-border confrontation. It will also help both states to achieve environmental sustainability in the Himalayas.
8. Conclusion:
The Neelum Valley exemplifies the intricate interplay between conflict and environmental concerns. By understanding these dynamics and adopting a holistic approach that integrates political, social, and ecological perspectives, it is possible to navigate the dual challenge and pave the way for a more stable and sustainable future for the region.
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35703631/
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