Jahangeer Ganaie
Pampore, Jan 30: Several springs in Khrew town of Pampore are losing its glory because of pollution and encroachments.
Locals from Khrew said that these springs were known for fresh water and the whole area was using it for drinking purposes but high pollution levels have affected their quality.
Heaps of garbage and polytene are lying in and around these springs and there is no one to care about these water bodies, said Nazir Ahmad, a local.
Nagbal spring was known for fresh water and fish but pollution has drastically hit it, he said.
Locals said that Municipal Committee Khrew is getting huge revenue from trucks that carry cement factories to other areas but haven’t taken any step for the development of this town and for the preservation of these springs.
“There were over a dozen springs in our area, but most of them have already been encroached by locals and there is no access to most of them,” said subzar Ahmad, another local resident.
He said that Gandak Naag, another spring, where people used to treat their skin related disease after taking bath in it or by spraying its water on their body has been encroached.
He said they have informed the authorities about it to no avail.
Locals said that around 50 lakhs were approved for development of Nagbal spring but due to some objections, the archeological department hasn’t allowed the civic body to carry out work.
They said the issue has been taken up with the archeological department.
An official of Municipal Committee Khrew said that they had proposed a plan for rejuvenation of historic spring ‘Nagbal’ located in the heart of the town but due to objections from the Archeological department, work hadn’t started yet.
He said that the spring is located in the middle of the town and was once a source of fresh and pure water and would irrigate huge tracts of agricultural land.
He said that the spring has its own religious importance, pilgrims/devotees visiting Shri Jawalji Asthapan to take holy bath during the annual festival of “Har Chadooh”.
He added that the decision of demarcation lies with the Archaeology department as it is a historic site and the department is following it so that spring can be rejuvenated.
He added that other springs too can be rejuvenated with the help of public cooperation.
