Agriculture and horticulture are two main economic activities in Jammu and Kashmir and both need proper irrigation system to flourish. Kashmir has been bestowed with ample water resources and in all the areas these are streams and canals which serve the purpose of irrigation. However, during past two/three decades, these sources of irrigation have been shrinking. Firstly, the concerned authorities are lifting the water from the sources to filter and supply for drinking purposes. This is and should be the priority of the government as supplying portable water to people is the responsibility of the government. However, it decreases the water levels in local streams and canals. Secondly, the condition of these canals is deteriorating with every passing day. Earlier, people would voluntarily clean, dredge and maintain these canals, however, the scene is completely different.
The canals are shrinking. People have turned insensitive towards this main source of irrigation. These canals have turned into garbage dumps. Only some thirty years back, people would drink from these canals as the water was clean and safe. Now most of these canals in length and breadth of Kashmir are looking like dirty drains dumped with all sorts of garbage. This has been impacting the irrigation and thus the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
While ensuring portable water supply to all citizens, it is government’s responsibility to ensure proper irrigation facilities to farmers. The authorities should make people aware and help them in water harvesting. Late in 60’s, then government had come up with a brilliant idea of water harvesting in Kupwara district. Reservoirs were made in different area where the rain water would get collected and then used for irrigation purposes. Given the deteriorating condition of irrigation canals, the authorities should take same kind of steps to ensure proper irrigation. While the government has both men and machines, it should simultaneously start dredging and repairing of irrigation canals to save further deterioration.
However, government alone can’t do everything if people continue to remain insensitive towards these canals. They too have a responsibility towards safeguarding these canals. If just 30 years back, they were taking extra care of these, why such indifference now? The people have to understand that these canals are to agricultural land and orchards what Oxygen is to humans. It is the responsibility of every citizen to keep these canals clean and avoid dumping garbage into these. On its part, the government should activate the employees of irrigation department who should inspect such canals in their respective areas of operation regularly and initiate action against those who have encroached upon these canals or who using these as dumping sites.
