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| Age-old ponds on verge of extinction in Jammu region | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 29: The age-old natural ponds in several areas of Jammu region are gradually drying up due to lack of conservation.
A large number of ponds have either gone extinct already or those which still exist are on the verge of extinction as they are drying up gradually every year in absence of conservation measures, and menace of encroachment.
“The level of water in the ponds has also receded due to the construction of roads and increased human settlements,” a villager bemoaned.
Several local residents of different villages and semi-urban areas said that around dozens of ponds were found until two decades ago in their vicinity.
They said ponds have dried up in the last two decades as the authorities never paid any attention to their conservation.
Likewise, water level in some ponds like one in Amb panchayat of Bhalwal block of Jammu district pond has gradually decreased and over the period of time it dried up, said locals of the area.
“The pond in our village had a lot of water. It is about 300 years old. It is a very deep water body which is about 20 feet but unfortunately carelessness dried it up due to which only a ditch is visible instead of the water at present,” said a villager.
He shared that livelihood of the local community is also affected due to the extinction of the pond as they have faced shortage of water to feed the cattle in dry seasons.
“We still have sweet memories of the pond in the area which has lost its natural beauties and aura,” he said.
“Presently this pond is being used for wrestling and other activities.
We want its resurrection but going by its current status no one knows what will be its condition in the next few years if the trend continues in the same way,” he added. |
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