Omkar Dattatray
As ill luck has to the people of Jammu that it seems that the weather God is angry and outraged with Jammuites that he is making the climate in are around Jammu very hot and humid .It is a big and serious concern for the people living in Jammu region that the temperature is very high and in fact the people are experiencing persistent heat wave and humid climate even at the far end of the summer season .It is in fact unprecedented that the climate of Jammu region continues to be very hot and humid at the close of the month of September which otherwise used to be somewhat pleasant and conducive for the people and they enjoyed to living in this autumn season .But at present the story is all together different because the heat wave is persistent and there is no let up in humidity and the people are sweating even at the close of September .
People are enduring the ill effects of extreme climatic and weather conditions so much so that the life in and around Jammu is no less than hell as people are experiencing and tolerating persistent heat weave which has made the life of people very difficult and uneasy and they pray to God almighty to be kind on them and bring rain and showers that the heat wave will be checkmated and people will get some relief from scorching heat coupled with humidity which has made the life of people troublesome .One fails to understand what is in store for the people of Jammu region as they are living a very difficult life in the unexpected climate .
How peculiar is it that in these days which are far from monsoon season ,the humidity remains 99% and the hot and humid temperature resembles Barsat sans rains and this has turned the life of people into a hell .This is the crux of this climate change .The people are cursing their fate and are also praying to weather god to be kind towards them so that the extreme climatic conditions and weather gives way to pleasant and cool climate and the Jammuites will feel a sigh of some relief from scorching heat and humid temperature .
There are extreme climatic conditions in and around Jammu and extreme climate and weather conditions has become fait accomplice of Jammu and thus the people here are experiencing extreme climatic conditions which has made the life of people inconvenient .The extreme and unexpected weather conditions flow from the problem of global warming and climate change in which has gripped the whole world and humanity is yarning to come out of such extreme climates .It is because of global warming that climates are becoming extreme and putting people to unease and trouble .
In fact the whole world is grappling with global warming and climate change and the people are the worst sufferers of extreme temperatures .The moot question is ,is the Weather God so unkind to Jammuites that he is not allowing little showers of rain which can cool the temperature of Jammu? It is the man himself who is squarely responsible for the emergence of extreme climatic condition which are against the welfare and wellbeing of the people .Men have become so greedy that they have destroyed the nature and environment by felling trees in very large numbers .
The men have also encroached upon the banks of rivers and rivulets and they are trying to change the course of the rivers .This tinkering and fiddling with the environment, nature and wild life has manifested in extreme climates thus causing difficulty and inconvenience to the people .Saint Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Noorani called also Shiekhul Alam had said centuries before Ann Poshi Teli Yeli Wan Pooshi-meaning the food will suffice only when woods would last long and are protected .Hinduism regards environment in high esteem so much so that Hindu’s worship various forms of nature like rivers ,mountains ,trees etc .So Sanatan Dharma from times immemorial had attached much importance to the protection of environment .Even other religions like Islam talk high of the environment and ordain people to protect environment and save it for future generations .
There is mad rush for industrialization and urbanization ,with the result there is imbalance in nature and environment and climate change and extreme weather conditions follow from total disregard for environment .Therefore humanity should realize and understand its responsibility and sincerely try to protect environment .They should make it as their duty and responsibility to plant more and more tree and ensure green revolution in the country in which lies the good of all the citizens .It is our religious ,moral and social duty and obligation to save natural fauna and flora and protect and safeguard the environment for a fuller ,balanced and happier life on earth .If we really want pleasant climate and weather conditions ,we should plant more and more trees which will ensure green environment which is in the interest of society and humanity.
Thus in order to save ourselves from the extreme vagaries of nature ,we should give emphasis on green environment and for that we should make it a habit to plant more and more saplings so that it will have positive effect upon the environment and climatic conditions so that we have a pleasant weather and climate in order to live a peaceful and healthy life free from tension .Therefore instead of putting blame of environmental degradation on others ,we should look unto our sleeves and stop finding fault on others .
It is our bounden ,moral ,social and even religious duty to protect environment so that the chances of global warming ,climate change and consequent extreme climatic conditions are checked and people experience pleasant ,cool and conducive climate .It is very sorry state of affairs that mercury is steeply rising in Jammu region and as a result there are heat wave conditions in whole Jammu division and even Kashmir this time experiences extreme temperatures which put people to unease and trouble .So it follows that until and unless we take necessary steps to save environment and continue to disregard nature and environment ,we are bound to suffer due to the impact of global warming and consequent climate change .
Hot ,humid conditions prevail and persist in and around Jammu in the close of September month and the people are sweating profusely and it is a cause of serious and grave concern in these days .It is really unprecedented that at the close of the summer season ,the mercury is constantly rising and the hot and humid climate of end of the September resembles the climate of June ,July. Let us pray to God to be kind to us and bring showers of rain to cool the hot climate of Jammu .Almighty is merciful and benevolent and so will not annoy Jammuites any more .
We hope that God will listen to our prayers and bring respite from the heat wave and difficulties associated with it .May we wait and watch and hope for the best to happen and sooth our lives after all heat wave and hot climate is a transitory period and so will end very soon.
(The writer is a columnist, social and KP activist)
