The lifeblood of Kashmir’s agricultural and ecological landscape lies not just in its famed rivers and streams, but in the intricate network of irrigation canals that silently serve farmers, recharge groundwater, and regulate water distribution across the region. However, these vital channels—once revered for their utility and grace—are now choked, silted, and in some areas, disgracefully encroached upon.
It is high time the Department of Irrigation awakens from its inertia and launches an aggressive, region-wide desilting and encroachment removal campaign. From rural hamlets in South Kashmir to the heart of Srinagar city, the condition of our irrigation canals is a stark reminder of administrative neglect and civic indifference.
Nowhere is this decay more evident than in Srinagar, where several traditional irrigation canals have been transformed into glorified drains—some even buried under slabs of concrete in the name of “development.” This act of turning heritage water channels into conduits for sewage is not just shortsighted—it’s a gross disservice to both environment and history. These canals were once the arteries that irrigated orchards, nurtured paddy fields, and maintained the water balance of the region. Today, they are repositories of filth.
The consequences of this negligence are manifold. Agricultural productivity is hit hard, especially in peripheral areas where tail-end farmers receive little to no irrigation. Urban flooding increases due to clogged water pathways. And perhaps most importantly, we are losing a piece of Kashmir’s cultural and ecological identity—one concrete slab at a time.
Desilting must be an annual ritual, not a sporadic reaction to disasters or media pressure. Encroachments, whether by private parties or even government agencies, must be tackled head-on through strict enforcement of laws. This isn’t just about cleaning canals; it’s about preserving livelihoods, heritage, and environmental balance.
We urge the Department of Irrigation to act decisively and transparently. Publish canal maps, engage local communities in restoration drives, and ensure that any development work near water channels adheres strictly to environmental and planning norms. Collaborate with urban planning bodies to undo past wrongs and prevent future disasters.
Kashmir’s canals are not relics of a bygone era. They are living systems, and unless we act now, we risk turning a thriving legacy into a buried memory.
Let restoration begin—before it’s too late.
