Kashmir’s Dry Spell: Impact on Agriculture, Tourism, and Community
By: Javid Amin
Kashmir, known for its lush valleys and abundant natural springs, is grappling with the harsh realities of a prolonged dry spell this winter. With minimal snowfall and rainfall, the region is facing a potential drought in 2025, triggering alarm among residents and environmental experts.
As an unprecedented dry spell has hit Kashmir this winter, people are frightened by the dangers of drought looming over their heads. There has been just one major snowfall in the Valley this winter, raising the question—Is Kashmir heading towards a drought in 2025?
When a heavy snowfall occurred on December 28, 2024, hopes had been kindled of a bountiful summer. Those hopes were dashed with a completely dry January and a hitherto dry February. Elders are saying they don’t have memories of this disaster in the making.
Impact on Natural Springs and Water Sources
“In my lifetime, I have never seen the spring in our village with such low water level. Small outlets of water from this spring have dried up and there is only one outlet that works at the moment,” said Fatima Bibi, 97, who lives in Haripora village of Ganderbal district. The bad news is that a large number of springs in this district are on the verge of going dry.
The famous Achabal spring in Anantnag district, which was decorated with a large garden by Empress Noor Jahan in 1620, has dried up, affecting the drinking water supplies of over 15 villages built on the waters of this spring. Thousands of kanals of paddy land depend on the waters of Achabal Spring for irrigation.
The water discharge at the Verinag spring in Anantnag district is running very low. Verinag Spring is the source of the Jhelum River that runs through the middle of the Valley right from its source through Anantnag, Pulwama, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts till it crosses the Line of Control (LoC) and finally joins the Indus River at Mithankot in Pakistan. The entire agriculture and horticulture in these districts depend on the Jhelum River.
Economic and Social Ramifications
The ‘Khelo India Gulmarg 2025′ games scheduled to be held in the ski resort of Gulmarg have been postponed as the resort has little snow to sustain winter sports. Other tourist destinations like Sonamarg and Pahalgam also suffer because of scant snowfall this season. Villages where perennial water sources like springs existed for hundreds of years are being supplied potable water through water tanks by the local Jal Shakti department.
The worst news for the villagers in this district is that a large number of perennial springs have tested unsafe water because of the presence of bacteria. Contaminated drinking water causes several diseases, including jaundice. The Sindh stream passing through the middle of Ganderbal district right from its source in the foothills of the Zojila Pass till it joins the Jhelum River at Shadipora shows signs of drying up.
The Worrying Trend of Climate Change
Historically, floods and not droughts have wreaked havoc in Kashmir in the past. If the rain gods do not oblige, the Valley of springs and rivers would soon be a huge piece of parched land. The other worrying part is that the perennial water reserves in the mountains have started melting because of unusually high day temperatures. During the last week, the day temperature has been nearly 8 degrees Celsius above normal.
“This is the real danger looming over our head. With no replenishment during the winter months, abnormally high temperatures force premature meltdown in perennial water reserves and glaciers. Unless we get compensatory rainfall during the coming months, the scene is horrifying,” said Mansha Nisar, an environmental scientist.
Community Response and Faith-Based Actions
During past floods and droughts, the people of the Valley would offer congregational prayers to invoke Allah’s blessings. They would visit the shrines of saints and pray to Allah at those shrines for mercy.
“The system of our faith is also showing signs of decay. We have become too materialistic and this has made us ignorant of the fact that even with tons of gold and pillars of cash, one can still die for a drop of water,” said Ghulam Mohammad Rather, 54, a farmer in north Kashmir.
Government’s Role and Contingency Plans
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that meetings of officials are being held to work out contingency plans. The government is preparing a drought contingency plan to address these challenges, including de-silting lift irrigation schemes to improve water flow and storage capacity. However, such plans would mean little if Nature decides to punish Kashmir for fiddling with its delicate ecological balance.
Environmental Conservation Efforts
Environmental experts are calling for urgent conservation efforts to combat climate change and protect Kashmir’s water resources. This includes rainwater harvesting, reforestation, and sustainable agricultural practices. The community must come together to support these efforts and ensure a sustainable future for the region.
What Can the Community Do?
The situation remains critical, and urgent conservation efforts are needed to combat climate change and protect Kashmir’s water resources. It’s a concerning situation, and the necessary measures must be taken to mitigate the impact. The community can contribute by raising awareness, participating in conservation initiatives, and adopting sustainable practices.
Bottom-Line
As Kashmir grapples with the harsh realities of a prolonged dry spell, the threat of drought in 2025 looms large. The drying up of natural springs, rising temperatures, and unpredictable weather patterns are a stark reminder of the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable practices. The community, government, and environmental experts must work together to combat this crisis and ensure a sustainable future for Kashmir.
