It is a matter to be rued that for a scarce natural resource like water, the concerned authorities of the State Government should afford to look to the other side when an issue like estimation of ground water levels should have been on their priorities. The issue assumes criticality in the face of climatic change leaving adverse impact on hydrological cycle in Jammu and Kashmir. All the “efforts” in the issue appear to have remained cramped in official files. Such a non seriousness is least expected on the part of the concerned officers who must be knowing the immeasurable importance of water in the sustenance of life. We could just not think of any life to survive without water. Needless to add, the alarm bells are distinctly ringing in the shape of the spurt in dependence on ground water which showed ascending trends with the passing of each year.
While an extra mile should have been walked in the exercise to analyze the adverse impact of climate change on hydrological cycle than the usual normal approach towards the issue, nothing concrete has been done. It is despite the fact that such a step is of immense importance to take up timely remedial measures, in whatever way possible, but a proper policy, if any, in the subject matter having perhaps been not only jettisoned but seemingly never thought of according any due importance to it in any cogent manner is astonishing. It is an established fact that climate change is behaving as a spoilsport with the hydrological cycle and exacerbating the requirements of water in different parts of the State. Continuous disturbances of the hydrological cycle due to vagaries of the climatic conditions will further enhance the current stress on water resources from surging population and their expansive uses of water .
Increase in ambient temperature and change in rainfall pattern will further influence the hydrological cycle to a large extent and adversely affect the ground water reserves. It is in the fitness of things to effectively strategize plans to ensure proper management of our water resources.
We cannot, however, brush aside or ignore some subdued initiatives taken by the department of Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control etc towards this vital issue and on its request, the Government constituted a State level committee for estimation of ground water across the State. The committee was headed by Administrative Secretary PHE and I&FC Department and comprising Chief Engineers of PHE Jammu/ Kashmir, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control and other senior officers who were asked to estimate annual replenish-able ground water resources of the State in accordance with the ground water resources estimation methodology.
It is, however, unbelievable that the committee with a large representation on it is reported to have met not even once till date. In the discernible mist, the issue faded away within a few months without any exercise. It is a thing to be believed that several members on this committee are shockingly said to be not even aware of any such Government move or decision. One would but feel increasingly aghast over such a state of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir over such an important issue concerning the people.
In the absence of knowing the contours of the problem ,the extent that was likely to impact the human life, vegetation and the like , there being no short cut way out to salvage the position, how could remedial measures be planned ? It is during estimation of ground water resources only that the concerned authorities could know about the aquifer and the feasibility for construction of tube wells. At least, an introductory meeting by all means was imperative to work out the strategy for execution of task assigned by the Government but no communication either from the “Chairman” of the Committee or Member Secretary has been received by anyone. The Member Secretary happens to be the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.
We would urge the Government to treat the matter with the level of seriousness it deserves but not without ascertaining the causes of such a goof and fix responsibility so that formation of committees and boards etc do not remain only on papers or get faded away as mere ruses.
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