KL Report

SRINAGAR

International World Water Day is held annually on March22, as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. Kashmir Life presents a photo feature based upon the clicks of its photographer Bilal Bhadur to highlight the plight of drinking water, its pollution and countless problems faced by Kashmiris. Pertinently, Kashmir is believed to have rich water resources. The rest is debatable.

Ineffective planning and political ill-will has taken its toll on water resources in Kashmir in general. Water, which is an essential element for the survival of human race, has become yet another casualty in Kashmir. A view from Kupwara.
Scientists claim that the fresh water resources of Kashmir Valley are under serious threat as glaciers that feed the rivers have vanished or are declining fast. In this scenario Kashmir appears to be moving towards an imminent disaster.
Owing to this fact, major areas particularly in North Kashmir reel under acute shortage of safe drinking water, thus prompted people to take to roads when unheard. A view from Sopore.

 

 

Acute Water Scarcity prompted people of Koker Bazar Srinagar to take to roads.
Empty Vessels waiting to be filled in Pattan.
Severe Water shortage in Palhalan force Women to draw contaminated water from the River Jhelum.
Women have to travel miles to get contaminated water for daily use. A view from Panzinara Sumbal.
Shortage of potable drinking water has caused huge inconvenience to the women in Panzinara, Sumbal.
These women have to walk a long distance to draw water from the river Jhelum. They have to consume and use unsafe river water. A view of Lolab.
From Dawn to Dusk, these women are busy in fetching only water. A view from Sumbal.
Shortage of potable drinking water has caused huge inconvenience to the women in Bandipora.
Can’t this water lead to the outbreak of water borne disease? A big question for the authorities.

Bilal Bhadur is currently Media Fellow with Indo-Global Social Service Society’s (IGSSS) Media Fellowship Programme under European Union’s EIDHR project jointly implemented with Welthungerhife in J & K. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect views of European Union, Welthungerhilfe and Indo Global Social Service Society.

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