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| Jammu loses its water bodies to encroachment; faces environment catastrophe | | | Abodh Sharma
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 8: Thousands of crores spent in the name of conserving the Dal have made corrupt officers of the LAWDA richer, while the lake has been shrinking alarmingly; but in the bargain, the water bodies of Jammu have been meted out a raw deal not only by the Governments, but by the people themselves.
While conserving Dal, which is a world heritage site, should be any Government's prime concern, it is a pity that critical condition of Tawi and several other water bodies of the temple city has eluded its eye.
Jammu is fraught with serious water crisis. The city is outgrowing its known domains briskly and city's traditional sources of water are drying up at even brisker pace. A study conducted by ISRO divulges that water table in most parts of the city have receded to levels which can render the soil unfit for any agricultural activity.
Tawi, the lifeline of the city has started its final battle for survival. The waters have receded and its banks have shrunk to indiscriminate encroachment and dumping of city's refuse in thousands of tonnes everyday. As a result, the river, which has quenched the thirst of this ungrateful city for ages, is finding it difficult to meet the drinking water requirements of the city any further.
Tawi has not been the only victim of city's criminal negligence. In last five decades, numerous water bodies in the city and its outskirts have disappeared- Some making way for public parks and others, disappearing into ever growing jungle of concrete. The greed to encroach upon every inch of land available drank the once well kept talaabs of the city one by one.
Talaab Tillo, Rani Talaab, Pucca Talaab, Khateekan Talaab and several others have been lost in the oblivion and several others have been reduced to easily accessible dumping sights. Present generation knows little about these talaabs which once dotted the city's domains and stood testimony to its rich heritage. " When I got married, I was brought here with my husband and we performed several rituals on the bank of the pond which existed here" recalled Shakuntala Devi, a resident of Mohalla Kaleeth, with a glitter in her eyes. Today, a secluded banyan tree is the only reminiscent of the Talaab in Mohalla Kaleeth. Residents go on narrating stories of the pond, which has given way to a not so well kept park, which has dry top soil and sans any grass.
While these water bodies have become history, there are still couple of ponds which are fighting a losing battle for their survival. One at Dhok Paloura and another one just a hundred meters away on the main Janipur road can be saved from unceremonious death if efforts are made by the people of the city and the urban agencies in unison. But for that, Jammu's Ministers shall have to think and see beyond Dal. |
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