JAMMU, Aug 19: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv Devraj Sharma today said that Jammu & Kashmir must make renewable energy an important pillar of its development strategy, while ensuring that the transition towards clean energy remains firmly rooted in environmental responsibility.
On the eve of Indian Akshay Urja Day, Sharma said Jammu & Kashmir, with its mountains, forests, rivers, wetlands and rich biodiversity, possesses enormous natural wealth that must be protected even as its renewable-energy potential is harnessed for economic development.He stressed that renewable-energy projects in the Union Territory should be taken forward through scientific planning, environmental assessment and appropriate safeguards, particularly in ecologically fragile areas.
“Clean energy should complement environmental conservation, not undermine it,” Sharma said, adding that large infrastructure projects need careful planning so that the ecological balance of Jammu & Kashmir is not compromised in the pursuit of development.
Adv Devraj Sharma advocated greater emphasis on decentralised renewable-energy solutions and rooftop solar, describing them as practical avenues through which households and institutions can contribute to the clean-energy transition.
He said government offices, schools, colleges, hospitals, commercial establishments and residential buildings should be encouraged to adopt rooftop solar wherever technically and economically feasible. Wider adoption of such systems, he said, could help reduce pressure on the conventional power system while enabling citizens to become active participants in renewable-energy generation.
The senior BJP leader said the renewable-energy agenda is closely linked with Jammu & Kashmir’s broader economic development. Reliable and affordable energy is essential for sectors such as tourism, agriculture, horticulture, industry, information technology and services, all of which have significant potential to contribute to employment and economic growth in the Union Territory.
“A cleaner and more sustainable energy system can strengthen our economy while also enhancing Jammu & Kashmir’s environmental credentials. Our natural beauty is one of our greatest assets, and development must ensure that this heritage is preserved for future generations,” he said.
Sharma also underlined the potential of renewable energy to transform rural areas by supporting stronger villages, improving energy access and creating new opportunities for local entrepreneurship and employment.He said the observance of Indian Akshay Urja Day should not remain confined to official programmes and government initiatives but should become an occasion for greater public awareness and participation.
He appealed to citizens to conserve electricity, avoid unnecessary energy consumption, use energy-efficient appliances and explore renewable-energy options wherever practical. Schools and colleges, he suggested, should organise awareness programmes and encourage students to learn about clean-energy technologies and innovation.
He also called upon technical institutions to promote research and innovation in renewable energy, while urging local bodies and businesses to encourage solar installations and energy-efficient technologies.
According to Sharma, the transition towards renewable energy can simultaneously address several priorities of Jammu & Kashmir—cleaner economic growth, energy security, employment generation, stronger rural communities and environmental protection.“Our mountains, rivers, sunshine and other natural resources are not merely gifts of nature; they are assets that must be harnessed wisely for the prosperity of present and future generations,” he said.
Adv Devraj Sharma said Akshay Urja could help Jammu & Kashmir move towards a future where development and environmental conservation go hand in hand.He emphasised that with scientific planning, responsible investment, technological innovation and active public participation, renewable energy could emerge as a powerful pillar of a greener, more resilient and self-reliant Jammu & Kashmir.
“Indian Akshay Urja Day should renew our commitment to harnessing the sun, water, wind and other renewable resources responsibly and building an energy-secure Jammu & Kashmir without compromising its priceless natural heritage,” Sharma concluded.