Sir,
This refers to the news item’Decks cleared for conservation of river Devika'(DE, Jan3,2016). It is heartening to read that the decks have been cleared for the conservation of river Devika and that it will be the first ever project of the state which has been taken in hand by Union Environment Ministry under the National River Conservation Programme.Devika is a sacred river which is considered holy by the people of Duggar region in general and Udhampur in particular. Having a dip in this river is believed to rid of all sins.This sacred river is considered as holy as The Ganges and is considered as sister to Ganga.A three day Baisakhi fair is also organised on its banks,in which lakhs of people from Duggar region take part.
Moreover, people from Udhampur and adjoining villages perform the cremation and other rites of their deceased on the banks of this river and there are many temples on the banks of this river.But over the last few years, this holy river has suffered extensive degradation due to increasing polllution level caused due to sewage from the adjoining areas and during floods.Devika also finds mention in our ancient scriptures such as Nilmat Puran which mentions Devika as a manifestation of Goddess Parvati herself and says that this river flows for the benefit of the people of Mader Desh(Duggar) large areas situated between river Ravi and river Chenab.Thus,this sacred river has got much religious importance and sentiments of lakhs of people are attached with this river.The conservation of such a sacred river will fulfill the long pending demands of the local people of Udhampur who hold this river in great esteem.The samples of water and soil have already been taken by the concerned department for testing and it is hoped that the required funds will be allocated soon and the work of conserving this river will begin shortly to restore it to its pristine beauty.
Yours etc…..
Ashok Sharma,
Udhampur
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