Dr Farooq asks Parliamentarians, MLAs to champion people-centric development

Srinagar, Dec 28: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Sunday asked Members of Parliament from the party to forcefully raise the critical issue of the protection, restoration, and conservation of regional water bodies and lakes in the Parliament.

Emphasising the growing environmental challenges facing the region, he stressed that lakes, rivers, wetlands and other water resources are the lifeline of the economy, ecology and cultural heritage and their continued degradation poses a serious threat to livelihoods and future generations, as per a press release.

He noted that unchecked urbanisation, pollution, encroachments, and the impacts of climate change have severely affected major lakes and water bodies. He called upon party MPs to seek urgent policy interventions, adequate budgetary support, and a comprehensive framework to revive and sustainably manage these vital ecosystems. He underscored that safeguarding water bodies is essential not only for drinking water and irrigation but also for tourism, biodiversity, and climate resilience. He underlined that any conservation or development initiative must ensure that the common public, particularly those dependent on water bodies for their livelihood such as farmers, fishermen, artisans, and tourism related workers should not be adversely affected.

Dr Farooq appealed to party legislators to ensure that development initiatives in their respective constituencies are guided by the principles of sustainability and eco-friendly planning. He emphasised that development and environmental protection must go hand in hand, and short-term gains should not come at the cost of long-term ecological damage.

He urged legislators to promote green infrastructure, responsible land use, waste management, and community participation in conservation efforts. Dr Abdullah also highlighted the need to involve local stakeholders, experts, and youth in protecting natural resources and creating awareness about environmental responsibility.

Reaffirming the party’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth, Dr Farooq stated that protecting water bodies and adopting environmentally responsible development models is not a choice but a necessity to secure a healthy, prosperous, and resilient future for the region and the nation.