Amid peak winter, there is no end to prolonged dry spell in Jammu and Kashmir. The problem is compounded by rising temperatures and increased melting of glaciers. The situation arising due to zero precipitation from the last nearly two months is set to spell doom for water bodies in J&K this summer.
We have to understand that water bodies and wetlands are mostly dependent on water from meltdowns of glaciers and snow cover around the year. Water flow depends on temperatures. Scanty snowfall over the past few years has put more burden on already retreating glaciers especially in Kashmir.
J&K and Ladakh house some of the largest glaciers in the Hindu Kush region. Kolahoi, the largest glacier of Kashmir’s Jhelum Basin, is retreating rapidly due to a spurt in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Thajiwas, Hoksar, Nehnar, Shishram, and glaciers around Harmukh are melting fast.
Due to unabated pollution, siltation and encroachments, most of the water bodies in J&K have lost their carrying capacity. The ongoing dry spell is seen as a death blow to the ailing water bodies.
Considered to be Kashmir’s lifeline, Jhelum has witnessed lowest water levels in the past several decades. Jhelum is facing a serious ecological threat due to unabated pollution triggered by constant flow of sewage and dumping of garbage.
Glacier-fed and precipitation dependent water bodies like Dal Lake, Doodhganga, Wular, Gilsar, Khushalsar, Aanchar and Lidder are also witnessing low levels in absence of precipitation.
Most of the springs in and around water bodies have been buried under haphazard constructions or choked by silt and garbage accumulation. We have left no stone unturned to vandalise our wetlands which act as natural water storage tanks.
Wetlands like Hokersar, Hygam and Shallabugh have long ago lost their vitals in absence of sustained conservation measures. Wetlands on the left and right of Jhelum acted as reservoirs of floodwaters. However, in the last five decades, most of the wetlands have lost their carrying capacity mainly due to conversion into agriculture land or concrete landscape.
Amid prolonged dry spell, we are set to face drinking water shortage in peak summer months. Besides, low water flow in water bodies will be disastrous for their flora and fauna. Liquid and solid wastes generated on the peripheral areas end up polluting most of the water bodies.
If unscrupulous people are responsible for damaging our eco-fragile water bodies, authorities too are equally responsible. All outlets of government-run drainage pumping stations directly empty into several water bodies and river Jhelum. This is one of the major sources of pollution of our water resources.
There has been more destruction than conservation of our water bodies. We have observed erratic changes in water bodies especially in Kashmir in the past several years.
In May last year, there was sudden death of a large number of fish in Dal Lake following heavy spells of rain.
In 2012, hundreds of fish died in Nigeen Lake mainly due to change in physico-chemical parameters propelled by high pollution levels. In 2010, death of fish in large numbers was witnessed in Wular Lake in north Kashmir.
Two species of fish Crossocheilus diplocheilus and Gambusia assinis are mainly affected in those water bodies, which have high concentrations of mosquitoes as they feed on their larva. Experts say that decomposition of organic matter causes hypoxic conditions in fragile water systems, leading to an increase in ammoniacal nitrogen, which is highly toxic for fish.
On May 12 last year, capturing of a fish resembling the Alligator gar fish in Dal lake sent alarm bells ringing among the scientists. They fear that the presence of non-native fish species could spell doom on the eco-fragile flora and fauna of the water body.
The bowfin-related Alligator gar is a ray-finned Euryhaline fish and is one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America and the largest species in the “gar” family.
The concern is that Alligator gar fish being carnivorous devours on other fish species. In the past many exotic fish species like Grass Carp have been discovered in water bodies in Kashmir. Is the presence of these exotic aquatic species in our water bodies due to climate change, pollution or human intervention?
The point is our water bodies are facing onslaught and drastic changes are visible. We buried the living Doodh Ganga canal at Batamaloo area in Srinagar. Originating from glaciers in Pir Panjal mountain, the water of Doodh Ganga was so clear till a few decades ago that it was known as “stream of milk.”
Due to official apathy, Doodh Ganga has been reduced to a stinking drain. Ironically, Doodh Ganga river is one of main sources of drinking water for uptown areas of Srinagar.
There is a need to conserve our water bodies. We have to understand that experts have projected that J&K’s future climate change, snowfall depletion and streamflow changes are expected to significantly impact timely availability of water for various uses including hydropower projects, drinking and irrigation.
It has been declared that Kashmir valley will experience more frequent and prolonged dry spells from the mid to end of the 21st century making it a new norm during 2051-2099 due to the climate change.
It is high time that we start preparing for the worst scenario. We need to take scientific measures for conserving our water resources.
We must start rain water harvesting to at least meet our daily water needs. We must understand that amid changing climatic regimes, every drop of water counts and we need to preserve it!
Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir