Srinagar: Once a treasure of fresh water, the Pokher or Springs around Khushalsar are gradually losing their being. Craving for both the public and authorities’ intervention, these fresh water resources are facing the silent extinction.
Located on a corner of the densely populated Shehr-e-Khas or Down Town area of Srinagar, a fresh water body, Khushalsar is spread over acres of land, playing a pivotal role in water rich natural drainage system of the valley.
Around the perimeter of the oval shaped Khushalsar, a large number of springs in the midst of the habitations extend its waters.
Known locally as Pokher or Bawli, a nomenclature of Persian decent, these water treasures of recent past are at a verge of extinction for the constant apathy from concerned authorities and public negligence. Once forming a network of fresh water supply to local inhabitants, the golden heritage of the city has turned into large pits harbouring human refuse and emanating stink.
At Amdakadal Jogiwan vicinity adjacent to Khushalsar, Srinagar, there is a large Bawli. Despite, fortified with a concrete work and iron fencing, the Bawli craves for life. The precious water resource is in a dilapidated condition emanating a foul smell and presenting a look of a large dustbin. “This Bawli had a clean and transparent water until recently. NALCO a local NGO had restored it a decade ago. People used to consume its water. Children used to take bath in a part of it. But the devastating floods during 2014 led to choking of its drainage system. Till date its defunct drainage has not been rectified,” says Ghulam Rasool, a local resident while ruing both the public and government apathy towards these precious water bodies. These Bawli’s play a pivotal role in maintaining the balanced level of water in larger water bodies or Sars, adds Rasool.
President NALCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo says, that it is the duty of both general masses and the concerned agencies to protect and preserve the nature’s bliss. Civil society should also come forward to play their role in conserving this natural heritage.
As per records, there existed a network of Bawlis interwoven around Gilsar, Zoonimar, Eidgah, Narwara etc. But urbanization, horizontal expansion of houses amidst the lack of proper drainage system has led to their disappearance. According to Altaf Hussain, a middle-aged local resident and nature enthusiast, there used to be about Hundred springs around Khushalsar, but over the time they have either disappeared or rendered defunct for the want of care and proper drainage system. Alluding towards a defunct Bawli at Kralpora, Zadibal, He further adds that the level of drains pouring out the water from these Bawli’s into larger water bodies or Sars has rose due to encroachment of Khushalsar and rapid urbanization.
Resultantly, sometimes there is a reverse movement of water into these springs, thus rendering the natural system into a mess.
“I used to take bath in this Bawli during my childhood. We had ablutions from its waters. Its water was very clean those days. It also quenched our thirst amidst the lack of proper tap water supply. But over the years, pollution and filling has rendered the water body useless and instead turned it into dustbin like structure ,” says Abdul Rasheed, while deploring the ruined condition of Bawli at New Colony, Zadibal. Despite repeated appeals to LAWDA, Municipality and others, the concerned agencies have so far failed to restore the glory of these springs, Rasheed laments.
Seconding Rasheed, the views of Syed Amjad from Gasiyar vicinity of Zadibal are same. Before thirty years, there was a proper natural drainage system which drained out the waters from these Bawlis properly. As these outlets are choked and raised now, the water in these bodies is stagnant. These Bawlis served a purpose during the past, but now they are a source of filth and foul smell especially in summers , rues Syed.
According to one of the official from Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), the department has carried few cleanliness drives of these water resources.
The condition of other remaining Bawlis is also shabby. At Abiyar, Zadibal, a bawli constantly emanates the foul smell from the human refuse stuck around the weeds grown on its seemingly muddy waters. At Narwara and other adjoining areas surrounding Khushalsar, these precious water bodies are craving for the attention and proper preservation.
President NALCO, Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo says, that it is the duty of both general masses and the concerned agencies to protect and preserve the nature’s bliss. Civil society should also come forward to play their role in conserving this natural heritage.
