Srinagar, March 18 -- An official government statement, made in response to Mr. Hasnain Masoodi's Assembly Question (AQ), said that the road construction is at the DPR stage and that the distance from Srinagar to Pahalgam via Khrew-Pampore will be reduced by 30 kilometers. I find this government statement absurd and ludicrous, especially at a time when everyone in the government-from the Prime Minister to the Chief Minister, and from Union Ministers to State Ministers-talks about environmental conservation, wildlife conservation, and achieving the targets under the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our leaders speak at various national and international forums about the challenges we face due to climate change. Yet, when it come...