SRINAGAR: For the first time, the historic Mughal garden at Achabal—a 17th-century marvel built by Empress Nur Jahan—has dried up, leaving its once-lively fountains and streams barren. Experts attribute this unprecedented crisis to climate change, marked by rising temperatures, deficient rainfall, and depleting groundwater levels.
Shabir Ahmad, a local resident and social activist, expressed deep concern over the garden’s decline. “We’ve never witnessed Achabal Garden in this state before. The spring has dried up completely, causing a severe shortage of drinking water in the area. Pollution and reduced snowfall are worsening the situation.”
The impact extends beyond aesthetics. Ahmad added that local agriculture and horticulture are at risk due to water shortages, forcing many nearby villages to rely on water tankers. “It’s time we unite to preserve our water bodies from further pollution,” he urged.
Mushtaq Ahmad, another resident, described the drying of Achabal Garden as a loss of heritage. “This garden is part of our identity. If immediate action isn’t taken, it may never be the same again.”
Dr Masoon A Beig, a geographer, explained that changing precipitation patterns due to climate change have severely affected Kashmir’s natural springs. “The reduction in snowfall and prolonged dry spells have exacerbated the crisis,” he said.
Gowhar Ahmad, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Jal Shakti Achabal, confirmed that the spring had supplied water to over a dozen villages through 15 water supply schemes. “Now that the spring has dried up, about 80 percent of the area has been affected. We are providing water to the affected villages via tankers,” he said.
As the crisis deepens, calls for urgent conservation efforts grow louder, with residents and experts alike stressing the need to combat climate change and water pollution to protect Kashmir’s heritage and future. (KNO)
