Kashmir’s springs are drying up. Scientists say saving them starts uphill
Shafeeqa, a 40-year-old resident of Cherwan village in Ganderbal district, north of Srinagar in Kashmir Valley, remembers a spring that once flowed with enough force to make diverting its water toward agricultural fields a difficult task. During her teenage years, she recalls, the water rushed so powerfully that her brother was once carried along by […]
Kashmir's springs are experiencing a worrying decline in water flow, prompting scientists to investigate the root cause and potential solutions. Shafeeqa, a resident of Cherwan village in Ganderbal district, recalls a time when a nearby spring flowed with such force that her brother once rode the current. However, over the past 5-6 years, the spring's output has steadily declined, leaving the community to wonder about the reasons behind this loss.
Shafeeqa attributes the decline to climate change, a belief supported by recent research on the Sindh Basin. However, the reasons behind the drying up of springs can differ depending on the location, and the problem may originate from higher up, in the areas where rainwater and melting snow infiltrate the ground. Springs play a crucial role in supporting households, livestock, and agriculture in the Kashmir Himalaya, particularly in mountain settlements where access to rivers is limited due to deep valleys.
The diminishing springs pose a significant threat to the livelihoods and well-being of the communities that depend on them. As the water source diminishes, the impact on agriculture, livestock, and daily life becomes increasingly evident. Scientists are now working to uncover the underlying causes and explore ways to preserve these vital water sources for future generations.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
