Heavy pollution chokes vital water stream in central Kashmir’s Budgam

Srinagar, Mar 26: A vital stream that traverses through several areas of central Kashmir’s Budgam district has been left choked due to pollution.

The stream “Khanitt” used to be a main source of water for several villages in Budgam including Lolipora, Hunipora, Wanpora, and Bonagund for decades. It brings water from Yusmarg through Dadi Wanpora Tehsil to several villages and  the stream was the only source of water for agricultural and drinking purposes.

Originally, only one village had access to its waters, but 60 years ago, the government constructed a bund to distribute its flow to four villages.

Renamed as Sarband, the stream is today barely recognizable as the bund has suffered severe damage at many places. The water channel is now choked with garbage and sewage which has turned the stream into a polluted drain, spreading foul smell in surrounding areas.

The deteriorating condition of the stream has disrupted water supply to villagers and left farmers anguished.

Ghulam Mir, an elderly man, said that the “current state of the stream breaks our heart.”

He said the stream was pure and clean and people used to drink its water regularly. Mir however said that with the passage of time the human intervention through different means has not only polluted this water body, but left many hamlets without adequate drinking water supply.

He said that villagers are unable to fetch water for their fields as the stream is filled with garbage which has also obstructed its flow of water.

The pollution caused from Sarband has not only affected farmers, but also those who are residing on its banks.

“Those living near the stream are facing severe hardships,” said Shabir Ahmad Bhat. “The foul smell from the dirty waters of the stream is unbearable. People are throwing waste and garbage directly into it,” he said.

Bhat said that even as the government is making efforts to protect water bodies, this stream has failed to get the attention of higher authorities. He appealed to the authorities to initiate measures to protect this stream.

For many, Sarband is not just a stream but a part of their childhood memories and heritage.

Fayaz Ahmad Mir, a local resident, said, “I along with my friends used to catch fish in it. In our childhood there were caretakers who maintained these streams ensuring adequate water to farmers as a big chunk of the population were dependent on paddy fields.”

He blamed negligence for the decline of the stream. “Even as the government has introduced waste collection vehicles which visit door-to-door to collect garbage, many still dump their trash directly into this stream,” he said.

Fayaz held the locals responsible for polluting water bodies. “When waste collection has become convenient, people are treating this stream like a dustbin.”

“The government should clean these streams every year. It should also impose fines on those who are found involved in littering,” he added.