Srinagar, Mar 28: With the state government failing to undertake conservation of river Jhelum here, considered to be the lifeline of Kashmir, unabated pollution, siltation and encroachments pose a serious threat to its fragile eco-system. The problem has been compounded by failure of the state government to undertake its restoration on priority. Ironically, the Government of India has been sitting on an ambitious multi-crore project aimed at long-term conservation of Jhelum. In absence of any conservation measures, the river has lost its carrying capacity. Though the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had in 2012 launched the Jhelum Conservation Project from north Kashmirs Baramulla district, absence of funds has however delayed the execution of conservation measures. Originating from Verinag in south Kashmir, Jhelum spans over 175 sq Kms, meandering in a serpentine way from south to north Kashmir. Jhelum is joined by four streams, Sundran, Brang, Arapath and Lidder is Islamabad (Anantnag) district in south Kashmir. Besides, small streams like Veshara and Rambiara also fed the river with fresh waters. The river settles in Wullar lake before flowing to Pakistan administered Kashmir through Baramulla district. Jhelum assumes tremendous importance for providing waters for drinking and irrigation purposes and draining the surplus waters, thus saving Kashmir from floods. A few decades ago, in absence of proper roads, Jhelum acted as a prime mode of transport. The importance of river traffic can be gauged from the Census of 1891, which shows nearly 34,000 boatmen used to earn their livelihood from it. However, in absence of any monitoring by authorities, the banks of the river have been gradually encroached upon from Islamabad to Baramulla district. Though the government in 2005 had launched a beautification drive of Jhelum banks on the three km stretch, from Shivpora to Dubji Ghat (Maisuma), authorities have failed to extend it to other areas of the river. The river has been extensively polluted by direct inflow of sewage from all the drains from south to north Kashmir. Instead of treating the sewage, the government through pump stations empties all drains into the river. Environmentalists maintain that extensive pollution has drastically affected the eco-system of the river. "The inflow of sewage including of hospitals and dispensaries into the Jhelum has drastically affected its flora and fauna and rendering its water unfit for human consumption," said noted environmentalist, Dr Abdul Majid Kak, who has undertaken scientific studies on the river. Dr Kak said from ancient times, Srinagar city was based on both its sides, indicating that Jhelum was life to the city dwellers. "No water supply schemes existed in Srinagar at that time and Jhelum was the only source of potable water. However, situation at present is totally reverse. Water of Jhelum is highly contaminated and its tributaries have either been filled up for construction of roads, tracks and pathways," Dr Kak said. Ajaz Rasool, a hydraulic engineer and environmentalist underscored the need of immediate conservation of Jhelum. It is important to restore Jhelum and make it free from deposition of silt and sand pockets besides undertaking beautification of its banks, he said. "The excessive enrichment of water with sewage and garbage has depleted the fish catches and posed health hazards to people," said Ajaz who had prepared feasibility report in 1997 for Jhelum River Conservation Project under the National River Conservation Plan. It envisaged pollution abatement in four towns, Islamabad, Srinagar, Sopur and Varmul by construction of Sewage Treatment Plants. The project was approved by the Government of India and included in its 10th plan for implementation, however it was later shelved. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department had in 2009 sent Rs 2200 crore project to the Ministry of Water Resources for sanction. The project included many restoration works including improvement of Jhelum's existing dredging of outfall channels, protection and anti-erosion works and increasing hydraulic efficiency. However, the Ministry had few years ago approved only a part of the project costing Rs 97 crores to facilitate immediate interventions including procurement of machines and dredging in Jhelum, particularly of its flood spill channels in Srinagar and outflow stream at Daubgah and Ningli in Baramulla. The Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control department, Mir Javaid Jaffar, said the Government of India has raised several queries regarding the Jhelum conservation project. For past several months, we have cleared many queries regarding different aspects of the project. Hopefully, it will take two or three months more to get the project sanctioned, Jaffar told Greater Kashmir. He said despite all odds, the department has been undertaking dredging and de-silting of flood spill channels to increase its carrying capacity and minimize channels of floods in Kashmir.

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Jhelum gasps for breath