Geneva: Shamim Shawl, representing Kashmir at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, has raised concerns about the severe impacts of climate change on the region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on climate change, Shamim Shawl pointed out the existential threat posed by climate change to humanity, as underscored by Amnesty International. She emphasized that climate change compromises human rights, not just environmental stability, and urged the UN Human Rights Council to adopt decisive measures to mitigate these effects.

Shawl specifically called for an end to the heavy military presence in the region, which she argued contributes to glacier melt and exacerbates local environmental and social conditions. She noted that the lack of a dedicated mechanism within the UNHRC to address the climate crisis is a significant oversight that needs urgent correction.

Highlighting local climate data, Shawl mentioned that rising temperatures, ranging from 0.3 to 1.9 degrees Celsius, are disrupting traditional agriculture and reducing water availability due to decreased snow cover. She projected that these conditions would worsen by 2050, with severe consequences for the region’s water resources and glacial environment. Shawl called on global leaders and the United Nations Secretary-General to prioritize climate action as a central human rights issue.