Sir,
The pride of Jammu, its culture , history and religious ethos are manifest all in Tawi river. Before we keep on blaming the government for all our problems as per our habit , we the residents must feel ashamed of what we have reduced this river to .
Two days back , I was required to get a cup of water from this river for performing a particular Puja. From the bridge at the crossing leading to the university , I proceeded to touch the river down for the purpose. It was nightmarish as without any light provided to caution the people, it was all dug out with mounds of dug out malba over which walking was risking one’s life.
Anyhow as most of lanes and link roads in Jammu are constantly being dug out , left for months without repair or completing the work, I managed to climb down the stairs only to near the water emitting intolerable foul smell . It was all full of plastic bags , filth , human faeces, kachra etc .Not to venture taking a bit of water from it , I could not withstand the stink and afford to see the level of pollution of this river.
The railings of the stairs had the red chunri in heaps tied to get rid of them perhaps after culmination of Navratra Pooja, a joke of otherwise a holy event.
Who is responsible for being enemies of our own interests , future and the beauty and cleanliness around in Jammu?
We must put due pressure on the government to make a law to make it an offence punishable with fine and imprisonment for spreading environmental destruction and ban polythene bags very strictly .
Yours etc…
Nitin Sharma
Jammu