Srinagar, March 11 -- As the Himalayan region grapples with rising temperatures and increasingly dry winters, the Jammu and Kashmir government is expanding its environmental monitoring network. The move comes in response to fluctuating air quality index (AQI) levels, ranging from 'satisfactory' to 'moderate', in a region traditionally known for its pristine mountainous air.

Officials say that the government has earmarked Rs.80 lakh in the 2026-27 UT capex budget to install four sensor-based real-time ambient air quality monitoring stations. These will be located in the districts of Pulwama and Anantnag in South Kashmir, and Kathua and Samba in the Jammu division.

Thermal inversion, topographic challenges

Environmentalists noted that in...