Jahangeer Ganaie
Khrew (Pulwama): Several famous springs in Khrew town of Pampore belt in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are fast losing its glory due to official apathy and are now on the verge of extinction.
Locals of Khrew area told that these springs were known for fresh water and the whole area was using its water for drinking purposes, However, locals said that all the springs in the area got polluted since past two decades and have almost dried up.
“At present our 60 percent of our irrigation facilities in the area depend on these springs. But if efforts are not taken at an earliest, we will loose these water bodies in a few years,” said Muhammad Mehraj, a resident of Khrew area.
Abdul Hamid, another resident said that heaps of garbage and polythene are lying in and around these springs. “There is no one to care about these water bodies,” he said.
Nagbal spring of Khrew, locals said, was known for fresh water and fish as well. “Due to pollution, the spring turned into a garbage dump while authorities watched this all by acting as mute spectators,” he said.
Locals said that Municipal Committee Khrew is getting huge revenue from trucks that carry cement factories to other areas but haven’t taken any step for the development of this town and for the preservation of these springs.
“There were over a dozen springs in our area, but most of them have been already encroached by locals and there is no access to most of them,” said Ab Rashid, another local resident.
He said that a Gandak Nagh, another spring, where people used to treat their skin related disease after taking bath in it or by spraying it’s water at the disease spots, has been also encroached upon.
“If authorities won’t take immediate steps, very soon, there will be no traces of these water bodies,” he added.
“We have been informing officials time and again to take immediate steps for the preservation of these springs and locals will cooperate. However, their repeated promises proved hoax on ground,” he said, adding, “We have once again requested higher ups to look into the matter and take immediate steps for the preservation of these springs.”—(KNO)
