Brari Nambal conservation litmus test for Govt

Restoring pristine glory of Brari Nambal lagoon here, which is on the verge of extinction mainly due to official apathy, has emerged as a litmus test for the government.

Situated at the entrance of Shaher-e-Khaas here, the lagoon has been marred by encroachments and pollution. The problem has been compounded by failure of authorities to undertake its conservation— for past nearly three decades.

The lagoon is considered to be important as it helps to regulate hydrology of Dal by releasing its surplus waters into river Jhelum via a conduit at Fateh Kadal area. However, in absence of conservation measures by the successive regimes, the lagoon has turned into a cesspool. Piles of garbage, obnoxious weeds besides extensive encroachments from Baba demb side have severely affected its fragile eco-system.

Due to official apathy and public greed, the lagoon has shrunk from five to around a kilometer, particularly in past over two decades. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court monitoring the Dal conservation has also taken strong note of deterioration of Brari Nambal and passed several directions for its restoration. In 2003, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Conservation and Management of Dal and Nigeen had also recommended immediate measures including restoration of Brari Nambal and relocation of its dwellers. Despite passing of over a decade, the successive regimes failed to take any conservation measure.

Sources said the Government in 2010 rejected the offer of foreign companies which offered to restore the lagoon as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“Brari Nambal has deteriorated into the most infected water body in the ecologically-degraded basin of Dal lake,” states a study conducted by the consortium of  foreign companies.

“Restorative and maintenance measures adopted on adhoc approach from time to time have failed to overcome the continuing ecological deterioration. We want to restore the lagoon to its original capacity by increasing space of the water body from 80,000 sqm to 260,000 sqm. Our vision is to develop Babademb as the Gateway of Shaher-e-Khas to transform a festering marsh in the heart of Srinagar into a thriving body—Diversity Park with spectacular Aquascaping. The need of the time is to reappraise the situation and have a holistic blueprint for sustaining this water body which otherwise is at the verge of irreversible damage,” it stated. Sources said the government did not approve the plan and “lost a golden chance” to conserve the lagoon.

Following a sustained campaign by highlighting the lagoon’s deteriorating condition, the government in 2013 had ordered short term conservation measures including immediate cleaning, dredging, expansion and beautification. However, due to paucity of funds, the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) and allied departments failed to launch conservation measures.

Officials said LAWDA has several years ago submitted a compressive project of Rs 65 crore for acquiring land and Rs 90 crore for cleaning Brari Nambal to Government, but is awaiting approval.

On Sunday, the Minister for Roads and Building, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari visited Brari Nambal and ordered immediate demolition of illegal structures in it. He also directed the authorities to retrieve the encroached Government land.

“We are committed to restore Brari Nambal to its pristine glory. I have directed the concerned authorities to prepare a comprehensive project for restoration of the lagoon within 30 days. I will submit the project to Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed for approval and starting conservation on priority,” Bukhari told .

Experts said the conservation of Brari Nambal is a test case for the government. “We have been witness to how successive regimes neglected the conservation of Brari Nambal. Official apathy and inaction has pushed the lagoon near extinction. However, this time the Government seems to be serious, but only actions will speak about its intentions. The conservation of the lagoon is a litmus test for the Government.,” said noted environment Aijaz Rasool.

“Pristine glory of the lagoon can serve as model for conservation of other water bodies in Kashmir,” he added.

NOTED historian Prof Fida Hasnain said the 14th century King Zainulabidin, popularly known as Budshah was so impressed by the beauty of Brari Nambal that he built Hamams on its banks. “The lagoon possessed crystal clear waters and for many centuries people used to have steam and herbal bath in Hamams there whose remnants have vanished under encroachments and heaps of garbage dumps,” he said.

The lagoon was an example of engineering excellence. The waters of Dal which originated from Dachigam Rakh flowed to the Brari Nambal via Nowpora. Budshah closed the lagoon’s three peripheries and dug up a new canal known as Nallahmar, stretching from Baba Demb to Aanchar— making a waterway through a cluster of houses and shops alongside its banks.

Before filling up of Nallah Mar, the lagoon was a part of main outflow channel of Dal lake. It helped to regulate Dal waters and save its inhabitants from floods. The lagoon was a major route of inland water transportation system in the summer capital. However, the lagoon’s deterioration started after filling up of Nallah Mar over four decades ago.