Silent Killers: The Human and Ecological Cost of Landmines and Explosives in Kashmir
The verdant valleys and snow-capped
peaks of Kashmir, often romanticized for their breathtaking beauty, conceal a
grim reality beneath the surface: a landscape scarred by decades of conflict
and littered with the silent menace of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
This deadly legacy of war, a direct consequence of the protracted conflict
between India and Pakistan and the internal insurgency, continues to exact a
devastating toll on both human lives and the fragile biodiversity of the
region.
Landmines were strategically deployed
along the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC) – one of the most dangerous
borders in the world – and in other sensitive areas, intended to deter
infiltration and protect military installations. However, their indiscriminate
nature and the frequent lack of accurate mapping or clear marking have
transformed vast swathes of land, including pastures and farmlands, into
potential death traps.
The Staggering Human Cost
The human cost of this hidden threat
is staggering, though comprehensive official data remains scarce. Much of what
is known comes from media reports, human rights organizations, and the
harrowing accounts of survivors. According to the Landmine and Cluster Munition
Monitor, between 1999 and 2015, there were 3,191 recorded victims of activated
mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and explosive remnants of war (ERW)
across India, with 1,083 killed and 2,107 injured. A significant portion of
these casualties occur in Kashmir.
Civilians, particularly those living near the LoC in districts such as Kupwara, Poonch, and Uri, bear the brunt of this violence. Farmers tilling fields, shepherds grazing livestock, and children simply playing are disproportionately vulnerable to these landmines. Following stories of victims paint a grim picture of shattered lives:
•Mohammad Yaqoob, a labourer from Kupwara, lost his leg in December 2000 after stepping
on a mine while returning from army patrol duty. His wife subsequently divorced
him, leaving him to raise two daughters on a meagre pension of 1,000 rupees
(approx. $13.60) per month.
•In August 2017, Hakam Bi, a 21-year-old woman from Uri,
had her right leg amputated after encountering a mine while collecting fodder.
Her family struggled with medical costs, and her husband now works as an army
porter, facing daily risks himself.
•Haider Mughal, a farmer from Kupwara, lost his right leg in 1997 while grazing
livestock on his own land. He was forced to sell his animals to afford
treatment and now relies on an artificial limb requiring annual replacement.
•Gulab Jan
from Uri lost her right foot in 1995 while working in her field. She received
no compensation for her treatment and survives on the same small monthly
pension.
•Soni Begum,
also from Uri, lost her leg in 1998 while taking livestock to graze.
Tragically, three years later, her husband, working as an army porter, suffered
the same fate. The family received no compensation for the loss of their land,
now rendered unusable.
These stories highlight systemic
issues. Many victims receive little to no adequate compensation, with pensions
often insufficient for basic survival, let alone ongoing medical needs or
replacing prosthetics. Landmines are frequently planted without clear warning
signs or fences, and can shift due to weather conditions like rain or snow,
rendering any existing markers ineffective. Access to medical care is often
hampered by poor infrastructure and high costs.
Beyond the immediate physical trauma
of death or maiming, the psychological impact is profound. The constant fear of
triggering a hidden explosive casts a long shadow over daily life, restricting
movement, hindering economic activity as agricultural land becomes unusable,
and fostering a pervasive climate of anxiety and insecurity. Families are
plunged into poverty, communities are fractured, and overall development is
severely impeded.
Devastation in the Natural World
The ecological consequences are
equally alarming. Kashmir’s unique biodiversity, celebrated for its rich flora
and fauna, is under constant threat. Landmines and UXO contaminate the soil,
disrupting delicate ecosystems and hindering vegetation growth. The explosions
themselves directly kill or injure wildlife. Furthermore, the fear of mines
restricts access for both wildlife and conservationists to crucial habitats,
disrupting migration patterns, breeding cycles, and monitoring efforts.
The endangered Hangul (Kashmir stag),
a symbol of the region’s natural heritage, is particularly vulnerable. Its
preferred habitat in mountainous areas, often near the LoC, is frequently
riddled with landmines, posing a significant threat to the survival of this
already pressured species. Other iconic wildlife, including the Himalayan brown
bear, the elusive snow leopard, and numerous bird species, also face increased
risks due to these hidden explosives contaminating their environment and
limiting their range.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Clearing landmines and UXO in Kashmir
is a complex, dangerous, and slow process. The challenging mountainous terrain,
the lack of accurate minefield maps, ongoing security concerns, and
insufficient resources and political will all present significant hurdles.
Addressing this deep-seated crisis requires a multi-faceted and sustained approach:
1.Enhanced Clearance Efforts: Urgent need for increased funding, technical assistance,
trained personnel, and advanced technology for demining operations, coupled
with comprehensive mapping and surveying.
2.Mine Risk Education: Robust public awareness campaigns and community outreach
programs are crucial to inform residents, especially children, about the
dangers, identification, and reporting of mines and UXO. Integration into
school curricula is vital.
3.Victim Assistance: Comprehensive, long-term support for survivors is essential,
including accessible medical care, rehabilitation services, psychological
counseling, and opportunities for vocational training and economic empowerment
to rebuild lives. Adequate compensation systems must be established.
4.Transparency and Policy: Official recording and reporting of landmine casualties are
needed to understand the full scale of the problem. Despite calls from bodies
like the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), India has not signed
the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, citing security needs. Greater transparency and
engagement with international norms are required.
5.Political Resolution: Ultimately, a lasting solution hinges on a broader political settlement. A peaceful resolution to the conflict would halt further mine deployment and create a safer environment for comprehensive clearance and rehabilitation.
The silent killers lurking beneath
the soil of Kashmir are a brutal legacy of conflict, continuing to claim lives,
shatter families, and devastate irreplaceable ecosystems. Only through a
concerted effort focused on human security, environmental protection, and
sustainable peace can the region truly begin to heal and realize its potential
as a haven of prosperity and biodiversity.