Water Crisis in Jammu’s Paddy Belt
Anoop Khajuria, Dr Upasana
In July, Southern Kashmir-once a traditional hub of paddy cultivation-suffered from parched soil and shrivelled paddy crops, exposing the valley’s worsening water crisis. The entire western Himalayan region witnessed a significant rainfall deficit. The Jhelum and its tributaries receded to alarmingly low levels, rendering irrigation facilities largely ineffective.
If Kashmir was water-starved, the Jammu region-particularly the R.S. Pura-Arnia belt, another prominent paddy-growing area-also bore the brunt of the June-July dry spell. Scanty rainfall left paddy fields highly vulnerable, with crops wilting under the stress.
Purshottam Lal, a modern farmer and teacher from Arnia, well-versed with the vagaries of changing climate, reflects:
“It’s true that Jammu has been receiving less rainfall lately, and the once-familiar long monsoon spells are now missing. But we never felt the stress, thanks to the Ranbir Canal system. Those days are gone. Now, the canal almost dries up before reaching our belt.”
His concern is echoed by fellow villagers. Tarsem Lal of Pandoria village laments:
“The famous Basmati rice of R.S. Pura is a gift of the Ranbir Canal. The Dogra rulers wisely developed this system for the flat lands of Jammu, R.S. Pura, and Samba. Sadly, this heritage is now in the hands of incompetent officials. The system is ineffective and dying in this paddy belt.”
What we now know as the Ranbir Canal System was born from the vision of Jammu’s rulers to bring Chenab waters to the region’s eastern belt. It began in 1873 as the “Shahi Canal” under Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1856-1885), with deep excavation reaching Bhagiar Khud between Jammu and Akhnoor. However, due to faulty levelling, the Chenab waters couldn’t be directed to the desired point.
Repeated efforts failed until the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885-1925). In 1903, under the direction of English engineer Mr. Field and his deputy, Lala Tej Ram, a new survey was undertaken. The project was renamed in honor of Ranbir Singh. Finally, under the stewardship of Rai Saheb Lala Makkan Lal and engineer Lotbinhere, the canal was completed in 1912 at a cost of ?36 lakhs (Source: State Archives Department).
The project transformed the eastern Chenab belt-Jammu, R.S. Pura, and Samba-from barren, rain-fed lands into lush, irrigated fields, supporting crops like paddy, wheat, and pulses.
Purshottam Lal recalls: “My father and grandfather never complained about water shortages during paddy season. Farmers across the border belt from Suchetgarh to Arnia, till Nikowal, received uninterrupted canal water.”
The Ranbir canal system, this formed a lattice work with its distributaries & sub-distributaries spread across flatter fields spread to its left margins from Mishriwala to Arnia, R.S. Pura till the International borders.
The Arnia& R.S. Pura belt historically received water through six major distributaries-D-10, D-11, D-12, D-13, D-14, and D-15:
D-11 from main canal to Deblahr
D-12 from main canal to Rathana
D-13: Deoli to Salahr
D-14: Pandorian to Mullechack
D-15: Shubuchack to Arnia
All these distributaries branched from the main canal flowing through Joyyan, Pindi Kathar, and Pindi Kotwal.
But today, even the main canal appears like a weak stream, barely visible during the monsoon after it crosses Jammu city. The lower water levels impact all distributaries. Around 30% of the distributary length receives no water, significantly reducing crop yields and income.
Rash Paul Singh of Pindi Kotwal laments: “We are forced to seek alternative irrigation sources. Almost every farmer has now installed bore-wells. Over the last 3-4 years, the number of bore-wells has exploded-you’ll find 4 to 5 within just 100 square meters. And with less rainfall, groundwater isn’t being recharged.”
Sunil Clair from Changia village adds: “We are completely dependent on groundwater now. But as rainfall dwindles and the Ranbir Canal dries up, the water table continues to fall. We’re in crisis.” Previously, natural rainfall-especially long spells known as “Barkha Chari”-brought ‘Rodu’ water, which flowed from field to field, naturally irrigating vast areas. Now, roads divert this water straight into seasonal nullahs, bypassing the fields entirely.
Even the Barabandi (scheduled irrigation turns) system has eroded. It has shifted to an 8-day cycle, meaning each farmer gets one turn every 15 days-if there’s water at all. Rule-breaking is common when water flow slightly increases.
“Earlier, the Jiledar used to ensure discipline and prevent theft of water. With the passage of time, the administrative powers given to them have been withdrawn. This powerful protection of just water distribution from the canal has been rendered toothless,” says Purshottam Lal.
From Arnia to Pindi Kotwal, the same story echoes-villages like Jabbawal, Nikowal, Parli Pindi, Mullacheck, Shere Chack, and Dablehr share this decline.
An obvious question arises: What has happened to the once-glorious Ranbir Canal System?
* Is unplanned urbanization along the canal banks encroaching and polluting its flow?
* Has global warming, through reduced snowfall in the Chenab’s upper catchment, diminished its water levels?
* Has bureaucratic neglect and unprofessional maintenance crippled this heritage lifeline?
A system that once turned barren lands into green gold is now gasping. Without swift restoration, the legacy of the Ranbir Canal-and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers of R.S.Pura – Arnia belt may soon vanish.
At the first glance, it is fair to say that unplanned urbanization, dumping of the garbage along canal’s banks and half-heartedly accomplished maintenance of the canal has impacted the flow and shape of the canal. Massive urbanization in Muthi and Domana area on fertile and cultivable land is polluting water and dumping garbage resulting in silt raising the depth of the canal. The canal suffers the most as it passes through Jammu region. Jeevan Nagar, Satwari fruit and vegetable mandi areas dump their garbage into the canal. And if this negelect is not checked, the days are not far away when canal’s sub-distributaries will get choked permanently and remaining on maps only.
” We are aware of this acute problem. The restoration of Canal’s distribution network is one of the poll promise that I honoured by reviving the canal till Jabbawal.” Says Dr. Rajiv Bhagat MLA from Bishnah. ” But this is not enough. I agree that the Ranbir Canal requires a complete overhaul right from Akhnoor to Nikowal. It is our heritage and we must save it.” Continues Rajiv. ” It is due to our consistent efforts that centre has provided a financial assistance of Rs 450 Cr for the restoration and upkeep of Ranbir canal. Once restored, it is the duty of the entire citizens of Jammu region to act responsible and not dump garbage or pollute the water.”
At least, a beginning is being made to restore and maintain the heritage canal system. And as rightly pointed out by Dr. Rajiv Bhagat, the water bodies should be revered and protected at any cost. The water is a life line for humans, animals and plants together. Ranbir canal is a perennial source of water. Let us save it.
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