Drying up of water sources

The condition of most of the ancient water bodies, particularly the historic springs which recently showed a considerable decrease in their respective water levels, have not only worried the local administration but the general people as well. And various reasons are cited behind these abrupt water decreases. Experts are citing global warming.

Continuous dry spell, minimum rain and snowfall like, is responsible for these ongoing water crises. Logically these could be the reasons but the most important factor which is of spiritual and environmental nature has almost been ignored. The rise in pollution levels, poor upkeep and disrespect of these water bodies could also be the reasons for the shrinking of these glorious water sources.

Since for last few decades the major natural water sources and water channels stand polluted and disrespected as maximum washroom and kitchen outlets have been turned towards these sources, which in other words means a major disrespect and total neglect. There were times when local people held water sources in high esteem and even spiting in water was considered here a sin.

I do still remember an incident of spiting. It was in mid eighties that we used to cross over river Jhelum on a local shikara to reach the office which was located on the other side of the Bund at Lalmandi Srinagar; then no foot bridge existed. I recall an interesting incident of my shikara ride; one day, during the crossing of the river a Bangali Muslim who looked like a Muslim clerk was also accompanying us. When the boat reached the middle of the river he spitted in the water. This ugly act of him angered the age old boatman and he argued with this Bangali gentleman and asked him why he spited in the river and polluted it. Since the man was a non Kashmiri and quite ignorant about Kashmir’s cultural traditions, he replied with more noisy tune and questioned the boat man - where is spiting in water forbidden written in our holy scripts? The boatman simply summed up his argument by saying that water is sacred to us and we do not like if anybody pollutes it.

In our local traditions we have been told to respect the water and its sources and not to pollute these. This notion is more popular about our springs which have always been held in high esteem across all sections of our society.

In fact Kashmir valley is the land of ancient springs which have curious legends associated with them. There are plenty of springs found in Kashmir which are broadly classified into two major categories – hilly and plain. Hilly springs are those which are found on its hills, mountains and plateaus. Such springs rise from the rocks and then flow down towards the valley plains. While the plain springs rise in the plain valleys. People still regard these springs in high esteem for the fact that many curious legends are associated with them.
Although due to geological and environmental changes several of these ancient springs have already disappeared but still almost every village site houses a spring, either small or large. These springs are called Nagas in local language, while the little ones are called as Nagin.

At the same time, Naga in olden traditions meant a deity believed to have been worshiped here in the ancient periods. Historians believe that in the fourth and fifth century BC, Naga worship may have been the principal religion in Kashmir.
They write “When Buddhism was the predominant faith, one of the early Kings, Gonanda, is said to have revived the ancient form of Naga worship as prescribed by Nilmathpurna. We also have the legend of Susravas Naga and mention of Padam Naga, at the Wular Lake.” Kalahana mentions the annual festival of Takasaka-Naga at village of Zewan.

Since Naga worship has almost disappeared here but the sites associated with this tradition are still being held in good respect. In local Hindu traditions these springs are also held in high esteem and sometimes referred as papusudan nag means sin washer. The local Muslim traditions also respected these little sources of water and many such springs are attributed to various miracles performed by Reshi and Sufi saints and somehow similar stories of the appearances of these springs are recorded in local folktales.

But for last few years most of the natural water bodies, scattered all over valley plains and mountains, have been facing human disrespect and vandalism. Experts have been advocating various measures for checking of the global warming and are focusing on geological factors. Besides focusing on global warming and geological factors , let us all come forward seek forgiveness of God and learn to respect and honor these priceless sources of water.

The writer is senior archaeologist and author.