Srinagar, March 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), led by its Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, has strongly appealed to the adminstration to ensure that last year’s decision regarding the stopage of water resources loot from Nallah Ferozpora is strictly implemented and not violated under any circumstances.
In a statement issued here, Wani recalled that last year JKCSF, in coordination with Tangmarg Citizens Forum, raised serious concern over the alleged large-scale and technically unauthorized and continious drainage of nearly 400 inches of water from the source of Nallah Ferozpora.He said such excessive diversion of water had severely threatened agriculture, horticulture, tourism, fisheries and drinking water availability in the Drang and Tangmarg areas.
Wani stated that people living along the banks of the stream were facing acute water scarcity, and by July many localities were not even able to access a drop of drinking water. After the issue was forcefully highlighted through print, electronic and social media, the concerned officers of the sub-division reportedly halted the work on the spot, realizing the devastation faced by farmers dependent on the nine irrigation canals drawing water from the stream.
He further said that a meeting chaired by the then Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir in August 2025, attended by J&K civil society Fourm representatives, members of the Tangmarg citizens forum and legislators from Tangmarg, Pattan and Beerwah, reportedly concluded that the PHE Department should not drain additional water from the nallah considering its already insufficient capacity. According to Wani, public representatives who attended the meeting conveyed that the department was directed not to interfere with the stream in a manner that could harm the local population.
However, JKCSF has now received reports that fresh attempts are being made to again drain water from the Nallah.Wani warned that any such move would seriously damage the region’s agriculture, horticulture, tourism sector, fisheries and drinking water supply.
Wani urged the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, the Chief Engineer of PHE, the Executive Engineer Tangmarg , the SDM Tangmarg and SDPO tangmarg to understand the sensitivity of the issue and take immediate steps to prevent any further depletion of the stream.
He also appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister, and all local stakeholders to safeguard the ecological and economic interests of the region. Wani particularly requested political leaders of Tangmarg, especially the local MLA, to raise the matter with higher authorities and protect the legitimate interests of the people.
“Public issues must be addressed on merit and without political bias,” Wani said, adding that intellectuals, social activists and responsible citizens should come forward to raise their voices to protect the natural resources of the region for future generations.
The JKCSF chairman emphasized that protecting Nallah Ferozpora is vital for safeguarding the region’s environment, agriculture-based economy and the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on the stream. Wani also showed serious concern over unchecked and contioious drujing with JCBs in Farozpora nallah and its adjicent nallags like oboora , kunzer , usson bangil , karahana , ogmona Pariwani ,Bongam had made the lives of local population hell and underground water level has slashed more than 200feet down which has badly effected under ground water facilties . Wani said it unfortunate for the area in which upper ground water is being looted and drained and under ground water also effected by looting bajri and sand from nallahs and crimnal silence of authorites and the prople at the helm of affairs raises serious question in public domain.
