Dr. Masoon A. Beig
Since yesterday the drying of Achabal spring of my home town is in headlines which pierced
my soul, as a responsible citizen of Anantnag note down this tragic story with gloomy all
around, shaky hands and pen irritating soul.
Rivers are shrinking, and underground aquifers are silently dying. Climate change,
deforestation, pollution, and reckless human consumption are draining these lifelines. As
water levels drop, ecosystems wither, and life struggles to survive. Over-pumping depletes
groundwater faster than nature can replenish, leaving barren lands and parched communities.
A slow, tragic demise—one we may only mourn when it’s too late is a global perspective but
when it comes to our own Kashmir valley. The situation is not different. In Kashmir Rivers
are shrinking and aquifers disappearing at an alarming which may have serious consequences
for human communities and the environment.
The once-mighty glaciers of Simthan and Margan peaks, once guardians of Kashmir’s
lifelines, now stand as mere shadows of their former selves. For years, the skies have
withheld their snow, and with each passing winter, the mountains grow barren. Without this
precious snowfall, the glaciers fail to accumulate, and the deep veins of the earth remain
parched. The Brengi Nallah, once a roaring tributary of Jhelum, has been reduced to a feeble
trickle—its spirit drained its pulse fading.
Achabal Spring, a symbol of nature’s bounty, now gasps for survival. Carved by the of Karst
topography, it has always relied on the slow, patient recharge of groundwater. But that
recharge has ceased. The once-dependable cycles of nature have broken, leaving the spring at
its lowest ebb in history. Its crystal waters, which once nourished fields and quenched the
thirst of generations, now struggle to flow, their decline a cruel testament to the changing
world.
Water scarcity can result from a reduction in freshwater availability, which affects
agriculture, industry, and human consumption. It also has an impact on the biodiversity of
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that rely on freshwater sources. Another tragedy is that the
shrinkage leads to many interlinked issues like climate change, variation in precipitation
patterns, rising temperatures. Not only this but also to soil erosion, decreased infiltration
rates, and the loss of critical vegetation cover, all of which have a negative impact on water
availability in Kashmir.
Anantnag- as the name Anantnag refers to “land of springs” But from the last few decades the
aquifers and rivers of the district have either disappeared or has shown a reduction in
discharge and flow which has led to water scarcity and water stress and ecological
Implications for aquatic ecosystems. Reduced water levels has resulted habitat loss,
extinction of species, and ecological imbalances in many areas of twin districts.
Another tragedy related to this disaster is Reduction in irrigation water availability, lower
crop yields, and increased food insecurity which has serious socio-economic consequences,
and may lead social unrest, economic losses, and population displacement in near future. Not
only this lack of access to clean water has increased the prevalence of water-borne diseases
has put impact on human health.
Another grave concern of Kashmir Rivers and aquifers is that Illegal mining and the
extraction of minerals or other resources in sensitive ecosystems without the required permits
or licences from authorities has led to serious environmental consequences. One of the most
serious effects of illegal mining on water resources is the degradation of water quality caused
by the use of toxic chemicals in the extraction process. These chemicals have the potential to
pollute rivers and aquifers, rendering water unfit for human consumption and agricultural use.
Not only this but mining also caused soil erosion, increasing the risk of flooding and
sedimentation in rivers. This, in turn, can reduce river carrying capacity, resulting in
decreased water availability downstream which is not less than a disaster. Furthermore,
illegal mining can lead to over-extraction of groundwater in already-scarce areas,
exacerbating the problem of vanishing aquifers. Another tragedy related to these Rivers and
Aquifers is the Conversion of agricultural land to brick kilns and built-up areas which has put
serious consequences for water resources, exacerbating the problems of shrinking rivers and
vanishing aquifers.
As Agricultural land is critical to the water cycle because it allows rainwater to infiltrate into
the soil, resulting in groundwater recharge. The vegetation cover is removed when
agricultural land is converted to brick kilns and built-up areas, reducing the rate of infiltration
and increasing surface runoff. This reduces groundwater recharge and thus the availability of
water in aquifers and rivers. Furthermore, brick kilns consume a significant amount of water,
contributing to further depletion of the region’s water resources. Besides that in Anantnag the
presence of karst topography and the sinkholes may also have played role in the
disappearance of aquifers in some parts of Anantnag.
Another tragedy is that the shrinkage and disappearance of rivers and aquifers has caused
reduction in fish catch thereby hitting the economy of many unprivileged class of fisherman
as due to toxic chemicals, low dissolved oxygen levels, and changes in water temperature and
pH lead to fish mortality in such rivers and aquifers/springs
Low rainfall has reduced the amount of surface water flowing in rivers, streams, and other
bodies of water. This has put impact on aquatic ecosystems rely on these water resources for
survival. The another aspect is that the rivers and aquifers in south Kashmir’s Anantnag is
that being in the foothills of Pir-Panjal Range and construction of tunnels in this region has
also put impacts on rivers and aquifers by causing aquifer dewatering, lowering water levels
and changing water quality and posing health risks to nearby communities.
The rising temperatures, the shifting winds, the erratic seasons—each is a silent harbinger of
a deeper tragedy. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is here, unravelling the
delicate balance that sustained this valley for centuries. Achabal Spring is not alone in its
suffering. Across Anantnag and beyond, countless small aquifers—once unnoticed, yet
vital—are quietly vanishing. They are dying an unsung death, their whispers lost in the
clamour of a changing world.
Conservation strategy
Aquifer and river conservation is critical to ensuring the sustainable use and availability of
water resources for current and future generations. To do so we must act today by Promoting
efficient water use practises such as reducing water waste, implementing water conservation
measures, and employing water-efficient technologies can help reduce demand for water
resources and protect aquifers and rivers. Recharge measures like rainwater harvesting,
artificial recharge, and recharge through natural ecosystems like wetlands can help replenish
aquifers and keep groundwater levels stable. Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems such
as forests, wetlands, and riparian zones can help maintain the hydrological cycle and water
quality in rivers and aquifers. Pollution control from point and non-point sources such as
industries, agriculture, and urban runoff can help maintain river and aquifer water quality.
Act wisely and Encourage community participation and engagement in water management
and conservation to raise awareness and promote the adoption of sustainable water use
practises. Policies and institutional reforms such as water allocation and management plans,
groundwater management, and river basin management can all help to ensure the long-term
use and conservation of aquifers and rivers .It is critical to strike a balance between the need
for development and sustainable land use practises, as well as to ensure that water resources
are effectively protected and managed. Water resources must be protected and managed to
ensure that they remain safe and healthy for fish and other aquatic life. Proper water resource
management and conservation are critical to mitigating the effects of low rainfall and
ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supplies.
Lastly, Let us reflect on the critical role that springs and rivers play in sustaining our planet’s
ecosystems and communities. So let us pledge to protect and restore our springs and rivers.
This necessitates not only individual actions but also collective action to hold corporations
and governments accountable for their impact on the veins and vessels of earth.
Together, we can ensure that our aquifers and rivers continue to be elixirs of life for future generations.
The Author is Environmental Geographer and teaches Geography at Altaf Memorial
Government Degree College Kilam Kulgam
Email masoongeo@gmail.com
