Jhelum and the Lessons Learnt
Daanish Bin Nabi
Lately, a new optimism has been felt as people are taking keen interest in
environment.
River Jhelum
River Jhelum, sometimes called the lifeline of Kashmir valley, supports human population and a number
of organisms that include species of
fish, animals, amphibians, plant life
and essential microorganisms. For centuries this river has been nourishing life, bringing with it immense wealth in the form of food and water. This fresh water river fed by snow of Pir Panchal Range flows from south Kashmir to north, with human settlements on either
side of its banks. Along its course,
that curves and coils and presents some
fantastic faces of nature, like springs of Verinag and the lake at Wular, river Jhelum is prominent
among the contributors that make up the
idyllic beauty of the Vale. Apart from
aesthetics, the river plays an important role in sustaining life throughout Kashmir.
Its waters are primarily used to
irrigate the fields all along the course
of the river and even to regions that are far but connected with channels. Many small towns and
settlements on its banks are still
dependent on the river for washing and
cleansing purposes. Sadly, large number of
drains empty into the river and take away part of the sewage with it.
Encroachments
Human settlements on either side of the banks of Jhelum over the years have been moving closer
to the river. The encroachment has been
to the extent that at some places people
are said to have even put the bund area
inside their housing perimeter walls. When the floods hit Srinagar these walls came down and
people could see how far people had
gone. Failure of law enforcement agencies
in addition to the lack of interest of
political leaders had increased the risk factor exponentially. Permissions have been given to people to build houses close to the river when the law
imposes a strict ban with punitive
action. Violators have used kah charai
to serve their own interests and purpose. Whereas some have build houses, there are
others who have been using the land
marked for kah charai for plantation of
trees whose wood can be sold in marked or
used at home.
Pollution
It is said that Jhelum’s water once used to be used for drinking purposes. Today, no one would
dare to even take a sip and people even
refrain from the contact. The drains
emptying into Jhelum has given it a bad
attribute. Human waste emptied into the river and garbage dumped on the banks pose a serious
challenge not only to the river but a
number of living organisms. Among the
pollutants, the most harmful are
chemical or synthetic waste that increases the toxicity levels of the water of Jhelum.
Health Issues and
Diseases
As per one health related opinion, if Jhelum continues to be polluted the day is not far when it will
become source for some water-borne
diseases. These diseases can spread
across the valley as the water flows from north end to the south. As history records,
the polluted banks of the river had
wrecked havocs with diseases like
cholera that resulted in loss of lives in thousands. The health concern is a serious issue and
before things go wrong the
administration has to fix it.
Flood Fertility
The alluvial soil brought by river Jhelum, especially floods, earlier was believed to be nourishing
to the farmlands. It enriched the ground
and therefore resulted in high yield of
crops in farms located near the banks of
this river. However, the 2014 floods not only brought the alluvium but also carried chemical
substances that were stored by people
inside and outside their houses. Fuel
like kerosene oil, diesel and petrol that
float on water were found at many places making the water hazardous. Even that fertility
factor is lost.
Dredging Sand Mining
Myth has it that when the water of Jhelum had to evacuated a plan was conceived as people would
not dig or excavate the river basin.
Some sage or king dropped gold coins and
people lured by greed jumped in the
river and removed all obstacles. The exact tale may be slightly different, but it makes an
interesting point. Devastating floods
were stopped by building strong
embankments along the river. Unfortunately, these embankments were not repaired before the
floods. To make the situation worse
dredging and excavation of soil from the
river has not been done properly. To what
extent have these excavations been necessary and what after-effects they pose has never
been a subject of study. Sand mining of
river Jhelum continues at full vigour.
It has become commercialized now, more or
less with a legal sanction. Previously, only a particular class was in that trade. With the help of
heavy boats and goodwill of authorities
these people have sold the sand of river
Jhelum to all constructions that you can
see around. The profits have encouraged sand mafia, people who invest by buying boats and
pay workers on daily basis. The sand
excavated is put alongside at specified
places that are looked after by local residents.
Jhelum’s sand is free, and people are taking it by heaps. Ironically, concerned departments
have put small mobile boat like offices
in the river for one purpose only, to
take the share from sand miners. It is illegal
but goes with audacity.
Best Plans
The best plan that government has been able to come up with in this age where miracles can happen
in days and weeks – the plans are
construction of parks and putting
benches and lamp posts. Jhelum and the challenges it poses need a far bigger plan with
cooperation from all. The encroachments
have to be taken care of. The land
marked for kah charai has to be restored.
Jhelum needs the support of people, to free it from ill-will that should have been checked by law
enforcement agencies. It is vital to
humans as well as diverse beings
supported by this river.
Feedback at
daanishnabi@gmail.com
Published on March 12, 2015.
