WE THE PEOPLE
Depletion of water level in Jhelum, other water-bodies sets-up shock waves across Kashmir Valley
Hence Experts and conscientious citizens suggest economical consumption and conservation of water to tide over the crisis
By: MNS/ Safwan Khan
Srinagar: Kashmir is known for its rich water potential as it has many high level basins and glaciers. Its hydrograph has not shown signs of depletion in the past, but the prevailing scenario has set-up shock waves across the length and breadth of the Valley. The experts are of the view that it is partly due to global warning and partly the result of mass scale deforestation. It is a fact that random felling of trees in forests has exposed the earth crust and led to erosion and consequent siltation of the water-bodies. The prevailing weather conditions have caused depletion in the run-off and exposed the river Jhelum bed at number of places which is a bitter experience for the people of the Valley. This shows that we have water scarcity, casting thereby dark shadows on the horizon. This also calls for multi-pronged strategy to tide over the crisis that is likely to get unfurled if there is no precipitation during coming months.
Pertinent to mention that variable temperature conditions have become a global phenomena and there are already apprehensions that some cities might get effaced from the map of the world. Although scientists have suggested several measures in different seminars, yet there is no concrete action visible anywhere. The advanced countries have been propagating and suggesting means and measures to control emission of gases, but have not taken concrete steps in this direction so far. They seem to be living in the land of Lotus Eaters despite several natural calamities having overtaken them so far. India too has been pledging to abide by the guidelines laid down by the experts, but little has been done hitherto. The case of Kashmir Valley is altogether different. We humans are responsible for hastening our doom. We have denuded forests and caused severe set back to the ecology. Our water-bodies have shrunk due to mass scale encroachments. The low-lying areas have been filled-up due to terrific urbanization. People from rural areas have been migrating to urban belts, regardless of the fact that there is not much space for them to get accommodated. Consequently this has resulted in mass conservation of paddy-growing and low-lying areas into residential colonies. This is a dismal scenario as we have lost our food pockets on the one hand and on the other encroached upon flood absorption basins. This became clear when patients had to be evacuated from Jhelum Valley Medical College to the Institute of Medical Science Soura when the Valley was overtaken by a medium flood some years back. Even then the authorities have not learnt any lesson as they constructed Haj House and other office buildings in the same area.
“If we turn the pages of history, we come across the events when the Valley witnessed several floods and there is no concrete evidence of water shortage at any point of time. Why our water-bodies have turned almost dry is not only baffling, but intriguing too. The weather cycle has changed and now we have either major snowfall or dry period completely. Why two extremes at a place which was known for its favourable climatic conditions. We had dense forests, rich water basins and big glaciers. The forests have lost their grandeur, the water-bodies lost their sources and glaciers have started melting. This is an awful scenario, unheard in the history of Kashmir. No doubt, global warming has its effect on our climatic conditions to some extent, but the major effect is due to our own follies. We have lost much and as such we need to be on guard. Whatever water available has to be consumed parsimoniously as we can ill-afford to waste even a single drop of water at this juncture. It is apprehended that wars will not be fought for fuel, but for water in future. This is a warning dished out by the experts who have deep penetration into our future scenario”, said a group of elderly and experienced persons of Kashmir Valley.
It becomes, therefore, necessary that all of us put our heads together and help in the conservation of water. We must stop encroachments on water-bodies and follow guidelines laid down by the experts to control emissions and hydrocarbons. It is the people who can revolutionize the system as State functionaries seem to be not much concerned over this scenario. Once people gird-up their lions and take a pledge to protect and preserve forests and water-bodies, the situation is bound to improve.
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