Srinagar, Oct. 13 -- Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called for a practical and balanced approach to sustainable mountain development, stressing that environmental protection, economic growth and people's livelihoods must go hand-in-hand.

Speaking after inaugurating the 13th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit, the chief minister said climate change, erratic snowfall, water scarcity, extreme rainfall and landslides were increasingly affecting Jammu and Kashmir, making sustainable development essential for its long-term survival. "We do not take care of our mountains and our environment as much as we should. We cannot stop global warming on our own, nor can we reverse it. The whole world will have to come together to address th...