Brari Nambal: A stark failure

What remains of the once sparkling water body are stagnant waters, garbage mounds, weeds and a pungent smell! Brari Nambal, a water body in the heart of Srinagar’s Downtown, is battling for survival.

Brari Nambal has immense ecological importance for Dal Lake as it regulates its hydrology. However, in absence of conservation measures, Brari Nambal has been marred by encroachments and pollution. Successive regimes blatantly failed to take measures for reviving the water body.
After a sustained campaign by Greater Kashmir, pressing for restoration of Brari Nambal, the then Government in 2015 formulated a project for undertaking the water body’s conservation.

The project was termed as a litmus test by the Government. Ironically the project files are gathering dust. The government has failed this litmus test! Inordinate delay in restoration measures caused more damage to the water body.

Had the 14th-century King Zain-ul-Abidin, popularly called Budshah, been alive, he would have been pained to see the dismal condition of Brari Nambal. Budshah was so mesmerised by the beauty of Brari Nambal that he constructed steam baths popularly known as hamams on its banks. He ensured regular cleaning of the water body. However, with the passage of time, the waters have been facing an onslaught of pollution and encroachment.

The deterioration of Brari Nambal started in the 1970s after the filling up of its outflow channel Nalla Mar which snaked through Downtown. This severely affected the hydrology of Brari Nambal and left stagnant water until a 468 metre conduit was constructed from the water body to river Jhelum at Fateh Kadal. But the water outflow of Brari Nambal is dependent on the water level of Jhelum. If the water level in Jhelum increases, the water regulatory gate is closed.

Government claims that it has taken several initiatives to restore Brari Nambal under the
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). It states that dredging has been undertaken from the main water body and its connected channels including Rainawari and Nowpora. Besides repairs of existing grill fencing and restoration of damaged poles, construction of jetty, pathways and walkways.

The government claims that the rejuvenation of Brari-Nambal Lagoon was executed in multiple phases with a total expenditure of Rs 875.024 lakh. And under the PMDP, Rs 627.122 lakh was allocated for integrated tourist facility development like constructing a food court, installing a fountain, and developing pathways, ornamental grill fencing, and a flea market jetty near Shehr-e Khaas Gate.

Where are the results? Why is Brari Nambal still stinking? This is because only civil engineering works, not scientific measures have been taken to restore the water body. We have to improve water quality and prevent sewage influx. As per environmentalists, Brari Nambal is passing through a putrefaction process. Besides the hyper-eutrophic state coupled with the high density of algal blooms signify high pollution load.

A large expanse of Brari Nambal has been encroached from Baba Demb side. In absence of regulation, shops and other structures have sprouted on the banks of the water body. Scavengers dump plastic and non-biodegradable items in one part of Brari Nambal. It has been converted as a loading point for trucks.

From one of the Srinagar's famous fishing points, Brari Nambal has turned into a garbage point. Pollution has taken a massive toll on its flora and fauna. There has been inordinate delay in acquisition of proprietary land in the lagoon to expand its area.

There is a need to improve water circulation in Brari Nambal. Government must explore options to construct a small waterway between the roads branching off from Nallah Mar. Amid severe effects of climate change, including prolonged dry spells, we need to restore our waterways.
Official apathy and public greed have been causing massive damage to our eco-fragile environment. It is the collective responsibility of the government and people to protect water bodies and other natural assets.

Why cannot banks or corporate houses working in Jammu and Kashmir take up restoration of Brari Nambal and other water bodies under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Why can't people pool money and extend help to restore Brari Nambal?  It needs political and public will to take care of our water bodies.

Water bodies constitute our lifeline and we need to preserve these for our survival and future generations. Government must explore options to construct an outlet of Brari Nambal through Nallah Mar to Anchar lake through a small waterway. This will help improve water circulation of Dal Lake, Brari Nambal and Anchar lake.

If the government cannot restore and conserve a small urban water body like Brari Nambal, what can be the fate of Dal and Wular lakes? We have lost several wetlands and water bodies in the name of so-called development.

Every second is important in conservation of water bodies. We have to understand that the damage done so far to the water body is irreparable. We must and can only prevent further damage.

Let the Government make conservation of Brari Nambal a model for restoration of other water bodies. It is our religious and social duty to protect and care for the environment as we are part of it. We need to join hands to pass the litmus test to preserve our environment.

The author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir