Bandipora, Aug 26 (KNO): Once famous for springs, streams and freshwater resources, North Kashmir's Bandipora district is now witnessing a steady decline in its traditional water sources, with several springs and channels either drying up or being reduced to garbage dumping sites.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Bandipora, traditionally associated with Alim (knowledge), Adab (literature) and Aab (water), is facing growing concerns over the deterioration of its natural water resources.
They said that water channels and springs in areas including Gundpora, Ajas, Kehnusa, Arin, Kuloosa, Gamroou, Nadihal and Guroora have been severely affected by indiscriminate dumping of household waste.
The situation has also put a question mark over the quality of water flowing into downstream water bodies, including Wular Lake, one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes.
In Gundpora, a centuries-old stream that was once used by residents for domestic purposes is now littered with plastic bottles, rotten food, discarded household items and other waste.
"People used to depend on this stream for water. Today, garbage is dumped into it and the flow has been blocked at several places," said 60-year-old resident Abdul Gani.
Residents said the problem is not limited to solid waste. Sewage discharge and other forms of contamination have further affected several traditional water channels.
"The water bodies that once added to the beauty of Bandipora are disappearing. Many of them are no longer fit even to look at," said Abdul Razak Bhat, an elderly resident of Bandipora town.
Several springs, some of which residents claim are more than a century old, have also either dried up or witnessed a sharp decline in their water discharge.
A spring in Gamroou, once used by villagers for domestic needs, has reportedly turned into a dumping spot, while residents of Gundpora and Dardpora said old springs in their areas have dried up.
"An old spring in Gundpora has completely dried up, forcing people to travel considerable distances to fetch drinking water. A similar situation has emerged in Dardpora," said Abdul Khaliq, a resident.
Residents alleged that repeated assurances about cleaning and protecting the water sources have not translated into visible action on the ground.
"The authorities have been making claims about preserving these water bodies, but the situation continues to deteriorate," said Saqib Ahmad, a resident of Rampora.
He said there was an urgent need to prevent garbage dumping, control sewage discharge and undertake restoration of traditional water channels before more sources are lost.
The deterioration of water sources has also been reported from other parts of the district, including Hajin, Sumbal, Shahgund, Gundejahangir and Madwan, where residents said several springs and channels have been affected by pollution, encroachment and neglect.
Locals said restoring the district's traditional water sources would not only help protect its environment but could also reduce pressure on existing drinking-water infrastructure.
They urged the administration and concerned departments to identify vulnerable springs and water channels, remove accumulated waste and establish mechanisms to prevent further dumping and encroachment.
For residents, the decline of these traditional sources is more than an environmental issue, it marks the gradual disappearance of a part of Bandipora's identity—(KNO)