By Bilal Bhat from Kashmir
The sacred Amarnath Yatra, revered by millions, faces an existential threat as the pristine environment of Kashmir is being systematically destroyed by unchecked human greed and rampant illegal constructions. In Pahalgam, once a paradise on earth, the greed of hoteliers and the complicity of local authorities have wreaked havoc on its delicate ecosystem. The damage is now so severe that experts are calling it a man-made climate disaster, with far-reaching consequences for the region’s water supply, biodiversity, and the future of the Amarnath pilgrimage itself.
When a hotelier razes hundreds of ancient Alpine trees, devastating the green cover and fragile soil structure, authorities have the audacity to label this ecological plunder as an “environmental disaster”—not to seek accountability, but to shield the influential hotelier from any legal consequences. The once-crystal-clear waters of the Lidder River, a lifeline for both locals and pilgrims, have been poisoned, rendered unfit even for washing hands as raw sewage from hotels and guesthouses is dumped directly into the river. The green zones of Pahalgam, meant to be preserved as protected areas, are being re-designated as non-green by those in power, paving the way for politically connected elites to construct massive hotels and commercial establishments.
“This greed is not limited to Pahalgam. The lush green meadows of Gulmarg and Sonmarg are being ravaged, their beauty stripped away by unchecked tourism and illegal infrastructure. The once-majestic Jehlum River, which has been the lifeblood of Kashmir’s civilization for centuries, is now a garbage dump, polluted all along its course.”
Nature is now reacting with equal fury. Unprecedented floods, erratic rainfall, and diminishing snow cover have become the new normal. The sacred ice Shivlingam at the Amarnath Cave, once known for its majestic size, is now melting at an alarming rate, a direct consequence of the warming climate and environmental degradation.
Shabir Ali, a social activist from Anantnag, voiced the collective anger of Kashmiris: “Climate change in Kashmir is purely a man-made disaster. You did it all for tourism but there will be no tourists to stay in your hotels now. Your fake cry over the drying up of springs, rivers, and streams will only further the anger of nature. The people in power, the wealthy hoteliers, and the corrupt bureaucrats have all played their part in this destruction. Now, nature is giving them the response they deserve.”
“The Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), entrusted with protecting the region’s environment, recently issued notices to demolish 300 illegal constructions. Yet, in a glaring display of corruption and political interference, Masarat Hashim, the CEO of PDA who spearheaded the crackdown, was abruptly transferred.”
This transfer is widely seen as an attempt to shield the wealthy encroachers who wield enormous political influence. Senior PDP leader Waheed Para openly criticized the move, stating, “Just a day after CEO Pahalgam identified 300 illegal constructions violating the green belt, he was abruptly removed. This exposes how deep political interference runs in shielding these violations.”
President of JK Peace Forum, Satish Mahaldar, condemned the inaction of the government and said, “I strongly condemn the way the government is handling this. Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Amarnath is in great danger due to looming natural disasters. Shockingly, no one from the Kashmiri Pandit community is part of the Shrine Board, raising serious concerns about the protection and management of this sacred pilgrimage.”
Dr. Sandeep Mawa, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader, revealed the shocking scale of corruption, saying, “A well-organized mafia is working in Pahalgam. Reckless and unprecedented illegal commercial structures are being raised without any concern for the environment. This has resulted in the depletion of snow and rainfall due to rising temperatures caused by deforestation and human intervention.”
“Unfortunately, many bureaucrats, politicians, and even officials from the police department have constructed illegal buildings, completely disregarding Hindu sentiments and environmental sustainability.”
Dr. Raja Muzaffar, a renowned RTI activist and environmental expert, warned that if this continues, Pahalgam would turn into a dry, barren land in the next 30 years, and the Amarnath pilgrimage would cease to exist. He added, “We have already seen yatris losing their lives due to natural disasters, and this crisis will only worsen if human greed is not curtailed.”
The situation has grown even more alarming as journalists who dare to expose the truth are facing threats and intimidation. The reporter who is reporting this piece, is being systematically targeted by the organized mafia. Attempts to silence independent journalism have intensified, revealing the power of the political-construction nexus that profits from environmental destruction.
“The fate of Amarnath Yatra and Kashmir’s environment now hangs in the balance. This crisis is not merely about a pilgrimage—it is about the survival of Kashmir’s ecosystem, its people, and its culture. Immediate and decisive action is required to halt illegal constructions, restore environmental balance, and protect those speaking the truth. The world is watching, and Kashmir is demanding justice.”
The question remains—Will the powers that be act in time, or will human greed and corruption destroy yet another sacred site?