Vol. 4, Issue 5, Part G (2018)

Abstract
United Nations showing its concern towards this issue had declared November 6th of every year as International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment due to War and Armed Conflict. This study aims to bring out the damaging effects of war and armed conflict on the environment but people living in this part of the world i.e. Jammu and Kashmir do fully acknowledge this fact that conflict in Jammu and Kashmir state from 1947 till date has not only led to death and destruction of people and their properties but the fragile environment of the state also has been a direct victim of the heavy military concentration in Jammu & Kashmir and conflict between India and Pakistan. The wildlife population throughout the valley is rapidly declining because of extensive areas of deforestation resulting in the loss of natural habitat for wildlife. Conflict destroys environmental, physical, human and social capital. It results in the loss of lives, livelihoods and opportunity, as well as of human dignity and fundamental human rights. Habitat destruction and the accompanying loss of wildlife are among the most common and far-reaching impacts of conflict on the environment in Jammu and Kashmir. Another serious environmental impact of armed conflict is pollution. Depletion of biodiversity and the natural resource base because of armed conflict can weaken the chances of lasting peace and sustainable livelihoods for a region’s long term residents. Increased urbanization can be a factor. A combination of these war-related factors in Kashmir resulted in rapid and unplanned urbanization. Current armed conflicts between two nations have fragmented societies, disrupt traditional natural resource management systems, divert resources away from development and conservation, and lower the priority of conservation in general. Both India and Pakistan’s governments should make a serious commitment for their armies to comply - in peacetime and in wartime - with international standards designed to safeguard natural resources.