Water of all springs tested, declared fit
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, May 28: Aiming to rejuvenate fresh water sources and address the water crisis, the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization (NLCO) has restored eleven springs in various areas, with work on two more currently underway.
After the completion of the process, the water from all restored springs has been duly tested by certified laboratories and declared safe for consumption by residents of the respective areas.
“So far, we have restored eleven springs, and the restoration of two more-one in Khimber and another in Bijbehara-is in progress; it is a big task and we are doing whatever we can,” said Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, Chairman of NLCO.
A unique aspect of the restoration process is that, once a spring is revived, it is handed over to the local community for regular upkeep.
“The water crisis is real, and to mitigate it, the role of springs is crucial. We are setting an example by restoring these springs and creating opportunities for residents to follow suit by reviving similar water sources around them,” Wangnoo said.
He emphasized that springs are handed over to locals only after thorough lab testing, confirming the water is safe for consumption.
“I have reports declaring these springs safe; it’s akin to bringing a water source back to life-permanently, if maintained properly.”
Under Mission Ehsaas, NLCO has been actively restoring springs in Srinagar and Ganderbal. Recently, restoration work was also initiated in the Jablipora area of South Kashmir’s Bijbehara.
In Jablipora, locals have reported the existence of nearly 100 springs that need to be identified and revived.
“We have initiated the process by restoring one spring there. The lead now must be taken by both the local community and authorities to ensure all springs are rejuvenated,” the NLCO Chairman added.
While there are many that need the similar attention, most of the restored springs had been lying in a dilapidated state for decades-blocked and nearly extinct.
Many of them historically served as sources of replenishment for nearby water bodies, keeping them alive and improving their hydrology, as seen in the cases of Gilsar and Khushalsar.
Notably, spring restoration constitutes the second phase of Mission Ehsaas. The first phase focused on cleaning and rejuvenating water bodies such as Gilsar, Khushalsar, and others.
It was the sustained conservation work carried out by the NLCO over more than two years at Gilsar and Khushalsar that eventually led to the transfer of control of the twin lakes to the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA).
Previously, these lakes were not under the jurisdiction of any government department-neither the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) nor the LCMA-which resulted in prolonged neglect.
According to the NLCO, several springs in and around these lakes still need to be restored, especially now that the LCMA has assumed full control.
“If they want, they can transform Gilsar and Khushalsar into tourist attractions. But despite having been given control, we haven’t seen any significant work initiated in this direction,” said Wangnoo.
He stressed that the authorities need to wake up and begin fulfilling their responsibilities, with a particular focus on improving the hydrology of the two lakes and enhancing their navigability. “With this, the focus must go on the restoration of springs across Kashmir.”
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