Adv. Junaid Malik
The Chenab Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the district of Kishtwar and its surrounding regions, represents one of the most ecologically fragile and environmentally significant landscapes of the western Himalayas. Fed by ancient glaciers, dense forests, alpine meadows and an intricate network of rivers and streams, this valley has sustained life, livelihoods and biodiversity for centuries. Today, however, the region stands at the brink of an ecological catastrophe, driven largely by unrestrained hydropower development, environmental mismanagement and deeply misplaced governance priorities.In the name of energy security and economic growth, a series of mega hydropower projects have been imposed upon this fragile terrain. While electricity generation is projected as progress, the real cost is being paid by melting glaciers, drying water sources, collapsing forests, rising pollution and increasing vulnerability of human settlements to natural disasters.
The Chenab basin has witnessed an unprecedented concentration of large hydropower projects over the last decade. Projects such as Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar and others are being constructed within close geographical proximity, involving massive tunnelling, blasting and river diversion. These projects are located in a region that falls within high seismic zones and is geologically unstable by nature.What is deeply concerning is that environmental assessments for these projects have largely been conducted in isolation. The cumulative impact of multiple dams, tunnels, access roads and construction camps on a single river system has been ignored. This piecemeal approach grossly underestimates the environmental and disaster risks. The mountains of Chenab Valley are being perforated relentlessly, weakening their structural integrity and increasing the likelihood of landslides, subsidence and slope failures.
The glaciers that give birth to the Chenab River are retreating at an alarming rate due to climate change, and this natural crisis is being compounded by human interference. Rising temperatures have led to the formation and expansion of numerous glacial lakes in the upper reaches of Kishtwar and adjoining areas. These lakes are often held back by fragile natural barriers composed of loose debris.The danger lies in the possibility of sudden glacial lake outburst floods. A breach in any of these lakes can unleash devastating torrents of water, mud and boulders downstream. In a valley dotted with dams, tunnels and settlements, such an event could trigger cascading disasters, destroying ecosystems, infrastructure and human lives. Despite this known risk, there is a glaring absence of real-time monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms and district-level disaster preparedness plans.
Ironically, while the Chenab River flows through the heart of the valley, many villages in the region face an acute shortage of safe drinking water. River diversions for hydropower tunnels, continuous blasting, and disturbance of underground aquifers have led to the drying up of natural springs that communities have relied upon for generations.
Construction waste and debris are frequently dumped into river channels, degrading water quality and harming aquatic life. Altered flow regimes have affected irrigation cycles, fisheries and traditional water use practices. Drinking water, which should be the foremost priority in any development model, has been reduced to a secondary concern behind power generation targets.
Across the Chenab Valley, illegal and poorly regulated stone crushers operate with near impunity. These units extract riverbed material and crush rocks, releasing thick clouds of dust into the air. The dust settles on crops, water sources, rooftops and forest vegetation, severely degrading air and soil quality.
The health impact on local populations is visible and growing. Respiratory illnesses, eye infections and skin problems are increasingly reported, particularly among children and the elderly. Schools and residential areas located near crusher sites have become pollution hotspots. Despite clear environmental laws, enforcement remains weak, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight.
Forests in the Chenab Valley are not merely a natural asset; they are the region’s primary defence against landslides, floods and climate extremes. Large tracts of forest land have been cleared for project infrastructure, access roads and labour camps. Wildlife corridors have been fragmented, threatening species that depend on continuous forest cover for survival.Compensatory afforestation, where undertaken, often exists only on paper and fails to replicate the ecological functions of old-growth forests. The destruction of forests in a Himalayan region is a direct invitation to soil erosion, slope instability and long-term ecological imbalance.
Natural streams and nallahs play a crucial role in draining rainwater, preventing flash floods and recharging groundwater. In many parts of the Chenab Valley, these nallahs have been filled or blocked to create temporary roads, dumping sites and construction platforms.
The obstruction of natural drainage channels has already begun to manifest in the form of sudden flooding during rainfall, waterlogging of agricultural land and erosion of village boundaries. In a mountainous terrain, such interventions magnify disaster risks and turn ordinary rainfall events into emergencies.
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this unfolding crisis is the silence and inaction of local leadership. The people of Kishtwar and the Chenab Valley are entitled to ask why basic issues such as drinking water security, public health, environmental protection and disaster preparedness have been sidelined.Why have environmental violations gone unchecked? Why are community
concerns rarely reflected in project planning? Why has development been defined so narrowly, ignoring sustainability and human welfare? Leadership is measured not by the number of mega projects inaugurated, but by the ability to protect people, resources and future generations.
The Need for Transparency, Accountability and Sustainable Balance
The Chenab Valley does not oppose development. It opposes reckless development that treats nature and human lives as expendable. There is an urgent need for transparent governance, independent environmental audits, basin-wide impact assessments and genuine community participation in decision-making.
Real development must balance energy needs with ecological limits, climate realities and human rights. Without such balance, the Chenab Valley risks becoming a case study in how short-term gains can produce long-term destruction.
The question confronting policymakers and society is no longer whether hydropower projects should exist in the Chenab Valley, but how many such projects the fragile Himalayan ecosystem can endure without collapsing. Glaciers are melting, forests are disappearing, rivers are being altered and communities are growing more vulnerable by the day.
If corrective action is not taken now, the damage may soon cross the point of no return. The Chenab Valley is sounding a warning. Whether that warning is heeded will determine not just the fate of this region, but the integrity of our approach to development in the Himalayas.
