Devika River of historical and spiritual importance, also known as “The younger sister of the Ganga River” has bestowed fame and importance on Udhampur, Jammu which is also known as “Land of Devika or Devak Nagri” and “Land of Bowlis”. A dip in this river is considered enough to get spiritual benefits but the scourge of pollution has not spared even this important river originating from Sudhmahadev and flowing through Udhampur. Heaps of garbage, used polythene bags, plastic waste etc is thrown in this river and effluent waste is getting directly discharged into it. The need to restore the sanctity of this Holy River and beautify its banks was being long felt which fructified only in the month of February 2017 when the Union Government sanctioned an ambitious project of nearly Rs. 173 crore for the purpose. Further, it was included in the National River Conservation Project for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).
DPR is still in the rudimentary stage and swaying between the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the State Urban Development Department. The DPR submitted by the State Government has not been found in congruence with the laid down guidelines and requirements and was, therefore, returned by the concerned Union Ministry to State Government with certain observations. The Union Ministry has further informed that after the required modifications in the DPR , the same was scheduled to be sent to Alternate Hydro Energy Centre, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorke for independent appraisal. Only last month, this all was completed and submitted to the AHEC for independent appraisal. It remains to be seen whether at Rourkee the project gets clearance or more modifications were required to be incorporated in the DPR in which case, more time was bound to be consumed. Only after clearance of DPR, Urban Environment Engineering Department (UEED) will float tenders for execution of the project, again, a time consuming process.
The other problem coming in the way is pertaining to how the land encroached along the banks of this river could be retrieved. The land which is required to treat effluent waste remains to be acquired despite paper work thereon having been reportedly submitted to Udhampur District Administration. That being not much difficult to be monitored but the main issue is obtaining the clearance from Roorkee. The fact, however, is that all connected issues are important to be addressed simultaneously instead one waiting for the other as that would retard the execution process. By any account, a sense of uncertainty hovers round the early start of the work process as more than full one year has elapsed since the Union Government accorded sanction to the project.
Is it not despicable for those polluting this river while simultaneously holding it in esteem? Should some people defecate on its banks and should raw sewage flow into this holy river? We have reduced this river to a mere dumping place of garbage and till Government agencies start work for its cleansing , people should stop dirtying and muddying it making the forthcoming rejuvenating work less cumbersome . This river has the potential of attracting tourists once it becomes free from all pollutions, and can provide some employment opportunities too. During the current Navratra festival, devotees pay obeisance to the deities at this river, the bowlis around provide water for drinking and bathing besides the river being used for immersing the remains of the dead which all calls for its early rejuvenation under the ambitious project sanctioned by the Union Government and simultaneously adhering by the people to strict self imposed restrictions on various ways to pollute this ancient sacred river.
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