Baramulla: The once pristine canals of Rafiabad in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are fast deteriorating due to unchecked pollution and alleged inaction by government departments and NGOs. Residents and farmers of Dangiwacha Tehsil, in particular, have voiced strong concerns over the growing neglect of these vital water bodies.
Locals accuse the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control of turning a blind eye to the situation. Several residents alleged that the department is not only failing to take preventive measures but is also indirectly encouraging encroachments. “The officials barely step out of their offices, let alone inspect the canal areas,” said one disgruntled resident.
A team from Kashmir Chronicle (KC) visited several villages in the Dangiwacha area to assess the situation firsthand. Locals in these villages, including the most affected village, Rawoocha, pointed out that both the department and some irresponsible residents share the blame for the canal’s degradation. They stated that the department’s field staff are rarely visible and are mostly seen only when collecting revenue from the farmers.
The Narkoul canal, which holds historical and ecological significance, is reportedly the worst affected. “Farmers and residents are dumping waste directly into the canal, causing it to shrink in size and lose its water quality. Just a few years ago, people used to bathe in and drink from Narkoul’s water. Now it has turned into poison,” a local resident told the KC team.
Another villager, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Rawoocha is suffering the most. The Narkoul is fast depleting and, at this rate, it might disappear completely. In a few years, we’ll only have stories to tell our children about how clean and fresh the water once was. I urge the concerned department to act immediately to preserve what’s left of this heritage canal.”
Encroachments are reportedly rampant along the canal banks, with locals planting poplar and willow trees illegally and dumping both residential and agricultural waste into the waterways. The canals of Rafiabad, once known for their gurgling, crystal-clear streams, are now in a state of alarming decay.
Residents are now calling for urgent intervention by the government, environmental bodies and civil society to restore and protect these lifelines before they are lost forever.
