Chenab is not just a river; it is the very lifeline of thousands of families across Kishtwar and Jammu & Kashmir. From drinking water to agriculture, from fisheries to tourism, every aspect of our lives is tied to this river. Yet today, the Chenab is being slowly poisoned in front of our eyes.
In areas like Bhandarkoot and its surroundings, there have been repeated reports and ground observations of debris being dumped into the river. Construction waste and soil pushed into the Chenab suffocate its flow, kill fish, and contaminate the water that so many families depend upon. The silence around this dangerous practice is alarming. Are we waiting for another disaster before we wake up?
We cannot afford to forget 2014. That devastating flood affected more than 26 lakh people, claimed over 350 lives, and left permanent scars on families across J&K. Experts had warned then that unplanned construction and ecological imbalance were major reasons behind the scale of destruction. Yet, here we are—ignoring the same warnings once again.
Official data shows that over 40% of households in Jammu & Kashmir still rely directly on rivers and springs for drinking water. Imagine the risk when that water is contaminated with debris, chemicals, and waste. Polluted river water not only damages agriculture but also enters our homes and bodies, silently threatening our health.
The consequences go beyond water. Chenab is home to trout and other native fish species, which form the backbone of our fisheries sector. Dumping reduces oxygen levels in the river, leading to mass fish kills and pushing these species towards extinction. This is not just an ecological loss, but an economic one—fishermen, farmers, and entire communities lose their livelihoods.
Equally important is tourism. Kishtwar has always been admired for its breathtaking natural beauty. But will tourists still come if our rivers stink of waste, if dead fish float on the surface, and if floods become a recurring nightmare? We are not just destroying a river; we are destroying an entire economy and a future.
This is not the responsibility of one department alone. The Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Fisheries Department, Pollution Control Board, and Disaster Management Authorities must coordinate and take immediate action. Accountability cannot remain a missing link. Citizens, too, must raise their voices, because silence today will become regret tomorrow.
Chenab is not just flowing water; it is flowing life. If this lifeline is lost, our survival itself will be at stake. The future generation will ask: when the signs were so clear, why did we do nothing?
The time to act is now. Ban indiscriminate dumping, enforce strict monitoring, and create safe disposal zones for debris. Let us unite not just as citizens of Kishtwar, but as custodians of nature.
Because this is more than an environmental issue—this is about the survival, dignity, and future of our people.
Chenab must live, for us to live.
(Views expressed are author’s own, doesn’t necessarily reflects as of The Chenab Times)
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