A reflection of the divine spirit, Kashmir’s lush landscapes and diverse culture teach us valuable lessons about the importance of unity, compassion, and environmental stewardship.

Allah (SWT) has blessed the land of Kashmir with its natural beauty, which is renowned worldwide. Its beautiful tall mountains, lush green outfields, multi-coloured gardens, vistas, and cascades attract the human mind and sight, inviting admiration again and again. This wonderful scenery, beautiful offbeat sights, and lush green outfields emancipate the human soul from deep ignominious darkness, refresh the mind, strengthen the body, and entertain the soul. A healthy environment provides a healthy body and mind, so we can say that health is purely environmental, not genetic. If you want to be healthy, be in a healthy environment. Care for nature and nature will care for you.
Tourist resorts reflect the efficiency of nature and depict its creativity, providing human beings with complete pleasure. All domestic violence, depression, and anxiety simultaneously vanish. After visiting any tourist resort, a person feels an entire shift in perception about the universe and the people around them, and their emotions and feelings are enlarged. They become compassionate and sympathetic towards others and understand mutual brotherhood and integration. Sometimes travelling alone brings intricacies, and a person learns how to overcome undesirable circumstances. They understand the skills to combat adversities alone in the worst situations. In this way, the concept of individuality changes into collectiveness, and the significance of unity is addressed.
Allama Iqbal (RA) has aptly said:
“Fard-e-Qayam Rabt-e-Millat Se Hai Tanhaa Kuch Nahi
Mauj Hai Dariyaa Me Aur Bairoon-e-Dariyaa Kuch Nahi”
Translation: Your honor depends upon the organization of the millat; when that organization is departed or declined, you become world-widely disrespected, disregarded, and disgraced.
A house can never be built with a single big stone; it requires enormous struggle and other things as well. These lush green fields, beautiful plantations, mountains, drainage systems, and other things present on this planet appeal for oneness. They appeal for universal homogeneous unity, explaining that “unity is strength.” The real essence and goal of life are that we must stand united, and humans should become real humans. One must notice the things around them, understand their role and responsibilities, and deliver them up to the mark. Human beings should act as caretakers of the things around them; that is why they were created. They are not the sole owners of this planet but share it with 1.4 million living species.
However, the earth is depleting rapidly. Grasslands are being converted into barren waste fields, croplands are deteriorating, and forests are being decimated day in and day out. The earth’s average temperature is increasing at an alarming rate due to global warming. Droughts are seen everywhere, and the climate has changed completely. The day is not far when human beings will witness a scorched planet with impoverished landscapes, making survival impossible. Humans must understand their duty to improve and upgrade the environment. Article 48-A of the constitution guarantees that the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. Thus, all safety measures should be initiated to safeguard the environment.
Natural places have always taught the best lessons to mankind. They have a divine spirit in all their objects and possess healing power. They relieve sorrow-stricken hearts and console dismayed people. Kashmir is surrounded by beautiful mountains with dense vegetation, and everywhere there is a green carpet. This green colour is perfect for the eyes and symbolizes nature, life, freshness, tranquillity, peace, prosperity, and fertility. Kashmir has the best tourism potential, and people from across the world visit to catch its picturesque scenery. The climate of Kashmir is so pleasant, and the weather has special qualities, as do its people—humble, simple, compassionate, hardworking, sympathetic, and enthusiastic. The hospitality of Kashmir is famous worldwide. Chakbast Brij Narayan said:
“Zarra Zarra Hai Mere Kashmir Ka Mehmaan Nawaaz
Raah Me Pathar Ke Tukdoon Ne Diya Paani Mujhe”
Translation: The hospitality of Kashmir is famous as the pebbles of the ways provided water to me.
Due to its extraordinary mesmerizing beauty, Kashmir has always been influenced by external forces, destabilizing its culture, civilization, economic, and political situation. As a result, Kashmir was distracted from the map of development. But in recent years, developmental works have been progressing rapidly, and Kashmir is witnessing unprecedented changes. We can expect that the day is not far when Kashmir will be at par with other topmost popular and influential places, highly organized in terms of infrastructure, in the world.
Every place in this beautiful valley tends towards its beauty and attracts people. As its inhabitants, let’s bring forth transparency, purity, honesty, integrity, and sincerity in our dealings with others, which will definitely add tenfold to its beauty, attracting people from all walks of life. Any nation is considered by its inhabitants; the way people work and behave determines its level. Let’s all hope for Kashmir to become a most spectacular global place, highly equipped with the latest robotic innovative technologies in transportation, railway tracking systems, metro lines, flyovers, and excellence in educational standards. Rich in its diverse and composite culture, business-oriented, visitor-friendly environment, and extraordinarily cosmopolitan.

The writer is a teacher at BHSS Halmatpora. He can be reached at [email protected]

By Mohammad Maqbool Dar