Srinagar, Feb 24: The prolonged dry spell and climate change have led to a worrying decline in water levels across Kashmir’s water bodies, which has sparked concerns among civil society members and locals. They fear that if the rain deficit continues, the situation may worsen and directly affect agriculture, horticulture and daily livelihoods.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), citizens and civil society members called for collective responsibility rather than waiting for the government or other authorities to act.
“Everyone is looking at others for action, but real change starts at an individual level. Climate change has triggered a prolonged dry spell, and we must take steps to minimize its impact,” said Tahir Ahmad, a DDC member from Shopian.
Tahir said that once-pristine canals, springs, and streams that were sources of drinking water are now polluted and unsafe. He criticised unsustainable development practices that have worsened environmental degradation.
“The so-called development that destroys our environment is not progress—it is a step toward destruction for both current and future generations,” he added.
Ghulam Hassan, a civil society member from Pulwama, said the water shortage was due to deficit snowfall and rainfall over the past few years. The lack of snowfall has led to the incomplete recharge of glaciers, which are Kashmir’s primary water source.
“The shortage of water directly impacts agriculture and horticulture. If the situation does not improve, people may be forced to sell their land just to survive,” he said.
Hassan also expressed concerns about the global impact of water scarcity, saying, “If the crisis continues, nations will eventually fight wars over water resources.”
Abdul Majeed Bhat, a well-known orchardist from Shopian, said there is a declining water level in major canals like Veshow Nallah and Rambiara.
“The livelihood of Shopian’s people is heavily dependent on horticulture. Without a stable water supply, the industry will collapse, affecting thousands of families,” he said.
Zaid Ahmad, a social activist from south Kashmir, blamed illegal and unregulated mining for further depleting and polluting the region’s water bodies. “Even the mining operations auctioned by the government are not being conducted as per guidelines. These activities have disturbed aquatic life and harmed indigenous fish species like Schizothorax, which was once found in abundance in Veshow and Rambiara but is now rarely seen,” he said.
Ahmad and other civil society members said pollution in water bodies has made the crisis worse. “Most canals and tributaries are filled with garbage, including sanitary waste, household trash, and horticulture by-products. We, the people, are responsible for this mess,” they said.
The civil society members urged the government to take concrete steps to preserve Kashmir’s natural water resources before it’s too late.
The key demands include regular cleaning of canals, streams, springs and rivulets across all districts; strict penalties for individuals and businesses polluting water bodies; enforcement of mining regulations to protect aquatic biodiversity; and formation of village-level committees to monitor and clean local water sources.
“If immediate action is not taken, a time will come when we will regret our actions and curse ourselves for destroying our own water resources,” they warned—(KNO)
