Dr. Rizwan Rumi
There was a time when the rivers of Kashmir sang lullabies to the mountains, weaving silver threads through the meadows, carrying reflections of chinar trees and the prayers of those who leaned over their banks. These rivers, once teeming with life and legacy, now whisper a different tale—a slow, mournful dirge of decay, neglect and disappearance.
The water bodies of Kashmir, which have cradled civilizations and nurtured generations, are dying.
Once Sacred, Now Scarred
From the ancient Jhelum, revered in folklore and history, to the glistening Dal and Wular lakes, Kashmir’s waters were once symbols of purity and peace. Today, however, they bear the burden of pollution, climate change, haphazard urban expansion and policy gaps.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) 2023 report, nearly 80% of Kashmir’s water bodies are severely polluted, with biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels far exceeding permissible limits. These figures are alarming, yet insufficient to mobilize large-scale corrective action.
The Wular Lake—A Collapsing Giant
Once Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Wular has lost over 45% of its area due to siltation and encroachments. A 2022 assessment by the Wetlands Division of J&K revealed that the lake’s effective water-holding capacity has reduced from 2,400 million cubic meters to less than 800 million cubic meters over the past few decades.
Despite its ecological significance—it supports over 270 bird species and is crucial to regional hydrology—it receives little consistent care. Restoration efforts under the Wular Conservation and Management Plan, launched in 2012, have been underfunded and inconsistently implemented.
A UNESCO tentative heritage site and a symbol of Kashmir’s identity, Dal Lake has shrunk from 25 square kilometers in the 1980s to barely 10 square kilometers today. Encroachments, untreated sewage from nearly 15 major drains and excessive weed growth have rendered parts of it uninhabitable for aquatic life.
The Dal Lake Cleaning and Conservation Project, jointly managed by the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) and now LCMA (Lakes Conservation & Management Authority), has spent over ₹500 crore over the last two decades. Yet, its impact remains limited due to lack of enforcement, public resistance to relocation, and weak community engagement.
Jhelum River—Lifeline on Life Support
The River Jhelum, originating from Verinag, is the main artery of the valley. It has witnessed rampant illegal sand mining, bank erosion and pollution. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2023 flagged serious concerns over unsustainable mining practices and ordered a temporary halt in several districts.
Moreover, the Jhelum’s capacity to handle floods has decreased dramatically. Experts blame encroachment on floodplains and inadequate dredging efforts, with a 2024 study by the Central Water Commission (CWC) highlighting that sediment deposition has reduced Jhelum’s depth by nearly 30% in many areas.
Government Action: A Mixed Response
While several initiatives have been launched, including:
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (Phase II, 2023)
Smart City Srinagar Water Restoration Projects
… the results have often been symbolic rather than systemic. In 2024, the J&K Water Policy Draft aims to integrate wetland conservation with urban planning, but it still awaits formal approval.
Funds are allocated but not always utilized efficiently. A CAG audit report (2023) revealed that over ₹200 crore earmarked for water body rejuvenation remained unspent due to bureaucratic delays and coordination issues between departments.
The Role of People: Silent Bystanders or Stewards of Change?
While the state has its share of accountability, community participation remains critical. In some areas, local volunteers and NGOs have stepped in. Initiatives like:
Save Dal Movement
Wular Bachao Abhiyan
Jhelum Restoration Campaigns by civil society and student groups … are beginning to spark awareness, especially among the youth. But these efforts need institutional support and sustained engagement.
At the same time, unchecked dumping of domestic waste, resistance to relocation from encroached zones and limited public ownership of water conservation remain major challenges.
The Climate Angle: A Ticking Clock
Climate change adds another layer of urgency. Kashmir is witnessing altered precipitation patterns and faster glacial melt. This accelerates flash floods and increases siltation in rivers, further complicating conservation. A 2024 IMD report noted a 23% increase in extreme rainfall events in Kashmir compared to the previous decade.
Path Forward: From Despair to Renewal
Saving Kashmir’s rivers and lakes requires more than piecemeal action. It demands:
Enforcement of anti-encroachment laws with transparency
Scientific dredging and desiltation
Sewage treatment plants with proper operation and monitoring
Community-led awareness and stewardship models
Integration of water policy with urban and tourism planning
Above all, it requires political will and emotional connection.
Let us not wait until the rivers become legends told in the past tense. Let us not allow future generations to inherit a valley where the waters no longer sing. The rivers of Kashmir are not just bodies of water—they are veins of memory, faith, and life.
If they die, something within us dies too.
Dr. Rizwan Rumi, the author is a freelancer, Writer and columnist. rizwanroomi2012@gmail.com
