H. L. Langeh
Creating an artificial lake over the Tawi River is an appreciable endeavor by the Govt in the development process of Jammu region and J&K State as a whole. The successful commissioning of the artificial lake project can prove a great boon for the Jammuites. Very limited efforts have been directed so far in beautifying the Jammu city and this kind of recreational point of attraction happens to be executed for the first time as compared to the counterpart regions across the Valley parts of the State. The significant effort made by the Govt in this direction shall give impetus to develop the unexplored potential of tourism in the Jammu region. Sometimes, it was also heard that the State Govt is also contemplating to provide Gondola service from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort for amusement of the inhabitants of the region and tourists. Though, no official declaration regarding the project has yet been made public. At certain point of time when the Gondola project gets matured and the simultaneous operation of these projects shall, indeed, add one more feather to the beauty of the city. The Jammu is already known by the City of Temples by virtue of having famous historical temples such as Raghu Nath Mandir, Pir Kho Temple, Bawe Wali Mata Temple and Mohmaya Temple. The upcoming projects meant for beautification purposes and already completed Recreation Park popularly known as Bagh-e-Bahu situated at Bahu Forte are intimately connected with each other. The collective operation of all the important tourists sites including an artificial lake in Jammu is likely to turn the entire city into a hub of tourists in near future. Such sort of projects need to be encouraged since these often create good avenues for sources of income for local people besides the source of entertainment. This way the Revenue Deficit States like ours may achieve the desired levels of revenue generation and gain self reliance.
For any of mega project that finds the use of natural resources such as the case of harvesting of Tawi river water which involves the risk factors of human health and safety of the proposed civil structures of the project itself and the adjacently located important establishments thus the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP) studies become significantly essential parameters for its better execution; maintenance of environmental and ecological concerns , and the ultimate successful operation. Obviously, it is quite understable that no project of such nature is executable until the mandatory consultancy and expertise services are obtained from a recognized institute of repute followed by clearance from the authority concerned.
Lakes, normally, serve as a source of water for agriculture, municipal and industrial purposes. But, the primary purpose behind the creation of an artificial lake over the Tawi River is believed to be recreational one and forms part of the beautification scheme of the city. Expectedly, the beauty of the artificial lake so formed shall serve as a good source of amusement, entertainment and recreation for the people of the State especially for the Jammuites. This site can serve as an additional tourist destination for the visiting devotees who come to Vaishno Devi, Amarnath shrines and other important parts of the State for pilgrimage purposes. The successful operation of the conceived project will bring the Jammu city on prominent position on the tourist map of India. The hotel industry and local transport industry shall get considerable business around the city. The common people residing in the localities such as Old city, Gujjar Nagar, Gorkh Nagar, Prem Nagar Chand Nagar, and Krishna Nagar may be the direct beneficiaries on the operation of the scenic site of the Tawi River Barrage. Employment opportunities for the local people may be increased due to enhanced business activity in general and tourist potentiality in special. Consequently, the revenue generation of the State is expected to be on the increase. Responsibly, the govt should devise some procedure as policy matter so that the part of the income so earned from the operation of such prestigious projects must be utilized for further development and maintenance of the developed structures.
Benefits of an artificial lake are commonly related to their function such as water supply, irrigation, navigation, recreation, hydropower production and flood control. In order to assess the functions of artificial lakes and reservoir system in general it is necessary to deal not only with their benefits but also with their impacts. It is being widely observed the world over that the Environmental and Ecological Impacts of such prestigious projects have apparently been experienced and need to be managed skillfully by the advance scientific knowledge.
After the proposed reservoir gets filled the increase in the groundwater level around the vicinity of impounding water/upstream in the artificial lake is inevitable. The existing groundwater structures on both the banks shall be recharged but at the same time the danger of infiltrating the biological contaminants from unsealed septic tanks and sewage water into the reservoir cannot be ignored which may enter the aquifer systems of the region. If the groundwater level increases to ground surface foul from the existing groundwater structures may be resulted through capillary rise of groundwater. This ugly situation, however, may be tackled with the commissioning of Sewage Project which is on the verge of completion and shall mitigate the problem of sanitation to the greater extent by diverting the waste water drains into the Treatment Plant situated at Bhagwati Nagar instead of pouring into the reservoir/Tawi river.
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