The wastage of time and money can have a profoundly negative impact on your happiness in life because time is an irreplaceable resource. Consequently, it is vital to exercise prudence and avoid time and money wastage.

The wastage of time and money can have a profoundly negative impact on your happiness in life because time is an irreplaceable resource. Consequently, it is vital to exercise prudence and avoid time and money wastage.

The people of Pahalgam, including ourselves, are grappling with various problems and difficulties, which we attempt to address, but we do not attain swift success in overcoming these challenges. The key factors contributing to these issues are the limited access to education and our inadequate knowledge of government programs and information, which facilitates the exploitation of our rights by others. Conversely, residents of other areas effectively utilize government schemes and programs, owing to their familiarity with and proximity to relevant information, and consequently secure their rights in a timely fashion. Nevertheless, in Pahalgam, we remain disconnected from government initiatives and programs, primarily due to insufficient information and awareness, leading to unclaimed benefits.
We have become accustomed to a culture of spending money to acquire everything, while institutions are responsible for providing all legitimate services. As a result, our financial and economic losses due to excessive spending hinder our social development and happiness. The Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO has organized various workshops, seminars, and meetings in Pahalgam over the past fifteen years, aiming to empower our people with knowledge and information about their rights.
The public has demonstrated limited enthusiasm and a lukewarm attitude towards acquiring knowledge, including the right to information and right to public services guarantee, due to our habit of daily market visits and our preoccupation with our cabs, ponies , shops or engagement in our guest houses , we usually abstain from participating in such events and gaining valuable insights.
This lack of enthusiasm causes us significant pain, as our own people fail to understand their fundamental rights and justice system in a timely manner. We pray that the Almighty may grant us the ability to think critically and make informed decisions, enabling us to do justice to ourselves and future generations. Ameen.
The wastage of time and money can have a profoundly negative impact on your happiness in life because time is an irreplaceable resource. Consequently, it is vital to exercise prudence and avoid time and money wastage.

Mushtaq Pahalgami
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO J&K

Hotels and restaurants discharging thousands of liters of waste water daily must be required to install their own Effluent Treatment Plants -ETP.

Hotels and restaurants discharging thousands of liters of waste water daily must be required to install their own Effluent Treatment Plants -ETP.

Especially in areas of the Lidder Valley, such as Batkoot, Yanner, Serchen, Movra, Dahwatoo, Laddi, Overa, Nagipora, Wahdan, Dalseer, and Charigam, where common STPs are not available, numerous large hotels are releasing thousands of liters of untreated wastewater directly into the Lidder River daily. The PDA Pahalgam recently sealed many units in these areas after catching them polluting the local water body, but later no action was taken against these hoteliers. As per the law, strict action should have been taken against these individuals. I request the government to take strict action against such individuals who are destroying the fragile environment, particularly water resources, for their personal interests. These individuals should be forced to install their own ETP units to prevent further damage to the local environment.

1. What is Effluent Treatment?

Effluent treatment is the process of removing harmful contaminants/pollutants from wastewater generated by various industries, including hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing, to produce clean, safe, and pure water that meets quality standards. Hotels generate effluent from various sources, including kitchen and bathroom wastewater. Approximately 70-75% of hotel waste is biodegradable, comprising organic matter, which combines with non-biodegradable waste at collection points.

2. Why is Effluent Treatment Necessary for Hotels?
As the hospitality industry generates significant amounts of wastewater/effluent, treatment using ETPs is essential to prevent environmental pollution and public health risks. The treatment process involves a combination of physical, chemical, and biological methods to remove pollutants and contaminants from effluent/wastewater. Thank you.

Mushtaq Pahalgami
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO J&K 

ON INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC BAG FREE DAY.

ON INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC BAG FREE DAY.

We the Himalayan Welfare Organisation -HWO has been working hard since 2014 to control single-use polythene in Pahalgam town and instead of this polythene bags , while the jute type bags was introduced everywhere in pahalgam region in which the sucess was achieved in the movement.
But unfortunately now some people are in a hurry to start this dirty plastic business again in this beautiful pahalgam valley by other means and style .
In which this polythene mess is again seen in the some shops and business units in entire pahalgam region  and on which the concerned departments like Municipal committee pahalgam   and Pahalgam Development Authority  organization is not taking any legal action against the culprits.
While we have repeatedly brought this matter to the notice of the MC Pahalgam , but sorry to say no substantial action has been taken on the said matter.
We hope that  MC Pahalgam and PDA Pahalgam  will take notice of this important and serious matter and will  take strict action to stop this polythene mess and the culprits will be brought to book under law .
Also there are fast food and chips mess in this pahalgam region where polythene is used in huge quantity..
We request to PDA and MC Pahalgam to take the issue with these companies, an alternative packing should be introduce instead such polythene packing particularly for this Environmentally sensitive region of pahalgam so that the the ecology and environment will not harm more  .One more option is to completely ban such kind of pollutants /things which are causing damage to the local ecology and environment.
We Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO J&K  are ready to assist in any work involving pioneer improvement and prosperity for the region.We hope that both the departments MC Pahalgam and PDA Pahalgam  will help for the better and prosperous Pahalgam.

We should encouraging people to cut down on the use of plastic bags.Let's all make a little extra effort to help save our environment.

Most people only use a plastic bag one time, then throw it away. Single-use plastic bags have motivated some cities to ban them altogether. Places that have banned disposable plastic shopping bags include:

5 Facts About Plastic Bags

1.It takes between 100 and 500 years for plastic bags to disintegrate.
2.We make 5 trillion plastic bags each year.
3.The average person uses a plastic bag for 25 minutes.
4.Every minute around the world, we use 1million plastic bags.
5.Plastic bags kill around 100,000 marine animals each year.

7 WAYS TO HAVE A #PlasticBagFreeDay Environmental organizations and concerned citizens hold events around the world. The events raise awareness of the negative impact that single-use plastics have on the environment.

1.Commit to cutting down on the use of plastic bags.
2.Save your plastic bags and take them to a recycling center.
3.Use reusable bags for shopping.
4.Educate others on the adverse effects plastic bags have on the environment.
5.Learn about how plastic bags can harm animals.
6.Encourage your community to reduce its reliance on plastic bags.
7.Watch a documentary on single-use plastics, such as A Plastic Ocean or Bag It.

While you're learning more about reducing plastic bag use, spread awareness for this day, too. Join the conversation on social media with #PlasticBagFreeDay or #BreakFreeFromPlastic.

Mushtaq Pahalgami
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO J&K

Our water and environmental issues!!!

Our water and environmental issues!!!

Environmental Issues With the rapid increase in population, urbanization, and commercialisation  reduce the quality of our  waters, especially in densely populated areas and regions of industrial and agricultural activities. The discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater and agricultural runoff has caused extensive pollution of the receiving water-bodies. This effluent is in the form of raw sewage, detergents, fertilizer, heavy metals, chemical products, oils, and even solid waste. Each of these pollutants has a different noxious effect that influences human livelihood and translates into economic costs.
Water is not a part of life it is an emotion,Lifewate starts and ends here.We would to discuss the regular importance of water rather i would like to tell you life without water.
In India,there is a many places in Rajasthan etcwater where Getting Water is like Getting Gold.The scarcity of water is such that people thirst for a drop of water.
Such erratic situation can be felt today in 10% of the world.Think of the day when 50%of the population will be facing the same problem.
Let us make a difference,be the part of this change and do our part otherwise it would be to late to help ourself where there could be nothing except of thinking the past…
Although we have everything, but we have no sense that is why we don't protect our resources.
SO LET'S BRING THE CHANGE AND LET’S BUILD BACK OUR WATER BODIES/ WATER RESOURCES .. Thank You

Mushtaq Pahalgami
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

World Soil Day 2022

Be the Solution to Soil Pollution!!!

World Soil Day 05 December 2022:

SOILS: WHERE FOOD BEGINS

Did you know that there are more living organisms in a tablespoon of soil than people on Earth? Soil is a world made up of organisms, minerals, and organic components that provides food for humans and animals through plant growth.
Like us, soils need a balanced and varied supply of nutrients in appropriate amounts to be healthy. Agricultural systems lose nutrients with each harvest, and if soils are not managed sustainably, fertility is progressively lost, and soils will produce nutrient-deficient plants.
Soil nutrient loss is a major soil degradation process threatening nutrition. It is recognized as being among the most critical problems at a global level for food security and sustainability all around the globe.
Over the last 70 years, the level of vitamins and nutrients in food has drastically decreased, and it is estimated that 2 billion people worldwide suffer from lack of micronutrients, known as hidden hunger because it is difficult to detect.
Soil degradation induces some soils to be nutrient depleted losing their capacity to support crops, while others have such a high nutrient concentration that represent a toxic environment to plants and animals, pollutes the environment and cause climate change.
World Soil Day 2022 (#WorldSoilDay) and its campaign "Soils: Where food begins" aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

#HappyWorldSoilDay

Mushtaq Pahalgami
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022.

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022: Theme
The theme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this year, is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“. The 2022 celebration will focus on the need for innovative solutions to help create an inclusive developmental model to aid people with disabilities.

In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). On February 6, 1981, US President Ronal Reagan did the same. Then the UNGA declared 1983-1992 as the decade of Disabled Persons. The adoption of December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities happened during the UNGA’s 37th plenary meeting, on October 4, 1992.

The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The day takes place annually and focuses on a different issue each year.
Nowadays International Day of People with Disability seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. A disability may be present from birth or occur during a person's lifetime. “Disability” is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations and participations restrictions. An individual may also qualify as disabled if he or she has had an impairment in the past or is seen disabled based on a personal or group standard or norm.

Press and Publicity,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO

Pahalgam;November 21,2022:Plantation drive held in Pahalgam, Director Social Forestry Kashmir launches plantation drive in Pahalgam,says drive aimed to revive plantation.

Pahalgam;November 21,2022:Plantation drive held in Pahalgam, Director Social Forestry Kashmir launches plantation drive in Pahalgam,says drive aimed to revive plantation.

Regional Director of Social Forestry, Roshan Jaggi, IFS  on Monday  launched a plantation drive at Pahalgam.
The drive was launched in presence of Mehraj-ud din Malik Regional Director Social Forestry Kashmir, DFO Anantnag Social Forestry, Shamma Roohi,Tehsildar Pahalgam Dr Mohammad Hussain , Mushtaq Pahalgami , Social Environmental Activist, Gulzar Raina  Vice President , Pahalgam Hotel And Guest House Owners Society  , PRI Frislana Mohd Amin Sheikh, PRI Mandlana,  Mudasir Ahmad Mir Range Officer Anantnag, Ishtiyaq Ahmad Maqdoomi , Range Officer Kokernag,Altaf Hussain Hakeem Range Officer Qazigund
The Principal of GMHSS Pahalgam Shabir Ahmad Wani , Arif Amin  and students from Pahalgam Higher Secondary School were also present on the occasion.apart from this ,media persons like Fida Hussain Mudasir Qadri Moin Magray Tassaduq Rashid Sheikh Javaid Sagar Journalist  and large number of civil society members, officials of the social forestry department were also participated in the said occasion . During the drive, saplings were planted in the area by the authorities as well as the students.
Director social forestry kashmir said that the drive was launched with the purpose to revive the plantation in the region.
He urged various authorities to plant the tree at appropriate places besides highlighting its positive impact on the environment.

Press and Publicity,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO