From pristine to polluted waters, Brari Nambal battles for survival

Srinagar, Jul 27: Stagnant waters, garbage mounds, weeds and a pungent smell! This is what remains of the once sparkling Brari Nambal, a water body in the heart of Srinagar’s Downtown.

The 14th-century King Zain-ul-Abidin, popularly called 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. Failure of successive regimes to take measures for the conservation has pushed the lagoon on the verge of extinction.

Brari Nambal has immense ecological importance for Dal Lake as it regulates its hydrology. However, in absence of conservation measures, the water body has been marred by encroachments and pollution.

It was after a sustained campaign by Greater Kashmir pressing for restoration of Brari Nambal, that 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 government failed this litmus test.

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.

Environmentalists have expressed concern over the lagoon’s deterioration. They said 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. 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 Srinagar’s famous fishing points, Brari Nambal has turned into a garbage point. Pollution has taken a massive toll on its flora and fauna

“Brari Nambal is still polluted, septic and stinking due to the decomposition of organic matter that travels to it from Nowpora channel connecting it to Dal Lake. Floating Solid waste from the western shoreline of Dal from Rainawari side and its adjunct contiues to flow in the lagoon,” noted hydraulic engineer Ajaz Rasool told Greater Kashmir.

Elaborating, Ajaz said “The STP of UEED Department still faces operational and treatment kinematic problems as raw sewage received by it from the Boulevard side already becomes anaerobic in the collection sumps, storing it atthe Boulevard intermittent pumping stations. This continues to affect the extended aerobic process plant kinematics in its aeration tanks.”

“The conservation measures adopted so far relate to Beautification and Development but none for conservation related to dredging of deposited silt and control of prolific weed growth. Encroachments within the water body have not been removed so far and dredging of filled landmass on that count to be done to increase the water expanse pends,” he said.

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.

“Alas Brari Nambal, amidst beautiful urban locales could have been a recreational tourist spot at Gateway to Sher-e-Khas has been left in the lurch by the UT Administration as a stinking cesspool,” Ajaz rued.

Faiz Bakshi Convener of Environmental Policy Group (EPG) said ill-planning marred Brari Nambal. “The water body became the biggest casualty of Nallah Mar project with water channels connecting it to other water bodies clogged. However, half-hearted efforts were made to revive it, which failed because no government agency or department owned it for long,” Bakshi said.

“LCMA must be tasked to restore the water body. Government is sitting on the process to acquire privately owned land in the lagoon. Brari Nambal must be showcased as the gateway to Old City ,” Bakshi added.

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.

“Brari Nambal needs scientific measures, not civil engineering works. We must open its channels, which act as veins, to improve fresh water flow. Besides, all drains flowing into the water body must be diverted to STP,” said Chairman Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation Manzoor Wangnoo.

“People's participation isa must to conserve water bodies and springs. We are ready to extend a helping hand to authorities to restore the glory of Brari Nambal,” Wangnoo added.

Gopal Sharma, Executive Engineer Lake Division 2nd Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) said efforts are being made to revive Brari Nambal. “We are formulating a comprehensive, detailed project report to ensure the revival of Brari Nambal. For this we are consulting scientists and other stakeholders,” Sharma told Greater Kashmir.

“For preventing flow of drains into the water body, UEED has floated tender. LCMA is also trying to expedite the land acquisition process in Brari Nambal to ensure hassle-free execution of conservation measures. After the drains are plugged, we will work on improving water quality. If all goes according to plan, Brari Nambal will be revived with state-of-the-art amenities. We can achieve this with people's support,” Sharma added.