Disturbing reports are pouring in from every part of Kashmir Valley the latest being about the drying up of Achabal springs. This winter Kashmir has witnessed very less snow and rainfall and this lack of precipitation has caused an unprecedented drop in water levels threatening of a drought-like situation in coming summers. The depletion of springs and river is attributed to less snowfall and if the precipitation levels continue to remain as low as they are now, Kashmir is in for very difficult summers. Besides portable water crisis, the Valley’s agriculture and horticulture sectors too will get badly hit.
As rightly pointed out by the experts, Kashmir’s lakes, rivers, and springs have been mercilessly exploited over the years. People have built houses, shops, and hotels along the fragile shores, narrowing the natural flow of water. In some cases, landfills have been established on lake beds, shrinking their expanse. Deforestation too is a major contributor to Kashmir’s water crisis as forests act as natural water reservoirs, helping to sustain groundwater levels. However, large-scale deforestation for timber, construction, and illegal land grabbing has led to soil erosion and disrupted the natural water cycle.
Mere statements would not help, the government of the day has to move into action mode right now, tomorrow will be too late. Given the very low precipitation levels, the government here should have already established a special team of experts to monitor the situation, identify areas of concern, and allocate resources accordingly. Unfortunately, the concerned government agencies are busy suspending water supply to different areas, citing unexplainable reasons but have done nothing to implement a rationing system to ensure equitable distribution of available water. The government need to prioritise repairs of damaged water supply lines, canals, and storage tanks to minimize losses and ensure efficient use of available water. Fact of the matter is that while Kashmir Valley is in the grip of severe water crisis, in rural areas one could witness hundreds of water supply pipes leaking and the water just going waste.
Way behind, in 1960’s and 70’s some prominent political leaders from Kupwara district had introduced the rain harvesting system. With the help of the concerned departments, they had dug massive ponds that would store rainwater that could be used for irrigation purposes. Some of these reservoirs still exist in some parts of the district. The government of the day should promote and incentivize rainwater harvesting systems in urban and rural areas to collect and store precious rainwater for non-potable purposes. The disturbing weather conditions need proactive measures both by the government and the public. While people should learn the importance of water conservation and promote practices like fixing leaks and using water-efficient appliances, the government should explore alternative sources of water, such as desalination plants or wastewater treatment and reuse, to reduce dependence on rainfall and snowmelt.