Nature Conservancy Alliance - NCA

24/07/2026

Sukhnag Nature Tourism was initially boosted by these pedals by Mountain Biking Association led by Mushtaq Bhat ,
When Sukhnag Conservation & Development , School for Rural Development & Environment Nature Conservancy Alliance - NCA and Tosamaidan Bachav Front-TBF organised the event at Sukhnag.
DrShaikh Ghulam Rasool Shagufta Rather Shariq Masoodi Rafiya Lone .
Mir M Maqbool Choudhary Mohammad Altaf Paswal

19/07/2026

The devastating flash floods and torrential rains across the Pir Panjal region have once again exposed the growing vulnerability of Jammu & Kashmir to climate-induced disasters. Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and several other areas have witnessed cloudbursts, overflowing streams, landslides, damaged roads, washed-away bridges, destruction of agricultural land, livestock losses, and extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure.

Thousands of families have been directly or indirectly affected.
As more details continue to emerge, the scale of loss and suffering caused by the flash floods and heavy rains in Poonch, Rajouri and other affected areas is deeply painful to witness.
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for everyone facing grief, injury, and the loss of homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
I sincerely acknowledge the prompt response of the District Administrations of Poonch and Rajouri, SDRF, Police, volunteers, CSO's and all teams engaged in rescue, relief, and restoration. The inspiring role played by local communities and youth in rescuing stranded families and supporting relief operations reflects the true spirit of humanity.
This tragedy should also serve as a "wake-up call" for policymakers. The fragile Himalayan and Pir Panjal mountain ecosystems cannot sustain unplanned, ecologically destructive infrastructure and reckless developmental interventions. Every road, tunnel, dam, mining project, or hill-cutting exercise must undergo rigorous environmental and "Climate-risk assessment" before approval. Development must work with nature, not against it.
It is equally important to revive and strengthen traditional pastoralism and nature-based livelihoods. Sustainable pastoral practices have long helped conserve forests, grasslands, and watersheds while enhancing the resilience of mountain ecosystems to climate change. Protecting pastoral communities and their grazing landscapes is not just about preserving culture, it is a vital climate adaptation strategy for the Himalayas.
In times like these, humanity comes before everything else. Let us stand together with compassion, solidarity, and hope, while extending every possible support to those affected.
The mountains are sending us a clear message: if we continue to ignore ecological limits, disasters will become the new normal. It is time to choose policies that respect nature, protect communities, and build a climate-resilient future for Jammu & Kashmir.

From
Team NCA,

06/07/2026

Nature Cannot Be Engineered: A Wake-Up Call from Kishtwar

Statement by NCA

The massive landslide near the 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar is not merely a natural disaster—it is a stark reminder that the Himalayas are reaching their ecological limits. While intense rainfall may have triggered the event, the increasing frequency and severity of such disasters compel us to confront a deeper reality: when fragile mountain ecosystems are subjected to relentless blasting, tunnelling, dam construction, indiscriminate road expansion, quarrying, and unchecked infrastructure development, the resilience of nature is steadily eroded.

The Himalayas are not an engineering laboratory. They are a living, breathing ecosystem that sustains rivers, forests, wildlife, biodiversity, climate security, and the livelihoods of millions. Every mountain cut, every river dammed, every forest cleared, and every slope destabilized carries consequences that cannot be ignored.

The tragedy unfolding in Kishtwar should not be viewed as an isolated incident. It is part of a growing pattern across the Himalayan region, where extreme weather events increasingly intersect with ecological degradation, amplifying the risks faced by communities, workers, and public infrastructure.

Development is essential, but development that wages war against nature is neither sustainable nor true progress. The future of the Himalayas depends on a new development paradigm—one rooted in ecological wisdom, scientific integrity, climate resilience, and respect for the carrying capacity of mountain landscapes.

The Nature Conservation Alliance (NCA) calls upon governments, policymakers, financial institutions, project developers, and regulatory authorities to reassess the cumulative ecological impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects in the Himalayas. Environmental safeguards must be strengthened, independent scientific assessments respected, and local communities meaningfully involved in decisions that shape their future.

Nature is not an obstacle to development; it is the foundation of all development.

The landslide in Kishtwar is more than an unfortunate event—it is a warning from the mountains themselves. The question before us is not whether nature is speaking. The question is whether we are willing to listen before the next warning becomes an even greater tragedy.

Nature Conservation Alliance (NCA)

28/06/2026

THE sanctity of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, with its rare animals, is likely to be upended by noisy tourists in ...

22/04/2026

Join us tomorrow for Earth

22/04/2026

Join us tomorrow for future , for plant

Join us for protecting Nature & community, Mountain ecology & biodiversity and Water

22/04/2026

05/04/2026

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05/04/2026

Press Statement
“One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” – A Collective Step Towards Ecological Healing
3rd Phase Plantation Drive | Sochalpathri–Mujpathri, Raithan Range, Pir Panjal Division, Budgam
Budgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

In a continued and inspiring stride towards ecological restoration, the 3rd phase of the plantation drive under the flagship campaign “One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” was successfully conducted today at the scenic landscapes of Sochalpathri–Mujpathri in the Raithan Range of Pir Panjal Division, Budgam.
In a powerful demonstration of commitment to environmental stewardship, around 50 doctors from SKIMS Medical College, under the able leadership of Professor (Dr.) Ashfaq Bhat (HoD, Community Medicine), actively participated in the plantation drive. Their involvement symbolized a growing and vital recognition that the health of ecosystems is intrinsically linked to human well-being.
This initiative forms a significant part of the ongoing “One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” campaign — a people-driven movement dedicated to restoring the fragile ecosystems of the Pir Panjal landscape and enhancing climate resilience through increased green cover. The campaign envisions not just afforestation, but a long-term ecological revival rooted in community participation and environmental responsibility.
The plantation drive was successfully organized by the School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE) in collaboration with the Forest Department, J&K, Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA), and the Trekking Club of SKIMS Medical College. The convergence of institutions, civil society, and professionals reflects a unified approach towards addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation in the Western Himalayan region.
The organizers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Forest Department team for their unwavering support and on-ground facilitation. Special acknowledgment was extended to the DFO Pir Panjal, Mr. Syed Waseem, and Mr. Irfan Rasool (CCF Kashmir) for their guidance, cooperation, and encouragement in making the initiative impactful and successful.
Among the prominent dignitaries present on the occasion were Professor (Dr.) Ashfaq Bhat, HoD Community Medicine, SKIMS Medical College Srinagar; Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, renowned climate justice activist and Founder of SRDE, SDPO Khansahib Saqib Gani , Mr. Gh. Rasool; Range Officer Raithan Range Pir Panjal Division Budgam; Dr wani Sarjeel Coordinator SKIMS Trekking Club, and former Sarpanch Ms. Hanefa Bano. Their presence and participation added strength and inspiration to the collective effort.

Speaking on the occasion,Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool renowned climate justice activist and founder of SRDE emphasized that such initiatives go beyond plantation — they represent a shared vision of ecological balance, climate action, and sustainable futures. The drive also served as a platform to raise awareness about the urgent need for conservation in the ecologically sensitive Pir Panjal region.
“Together, we are not just planting trees — we are nurturing hope, restoring balance, and building a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.”
The “One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” campaign continues to gain momentum as a people’s movement, calling upon citizens, institutions, and policymakers to join hands in healing the environment and safeguarding the natural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.

Team
SRDE & NCA