Kishtwar
Kishtwar is located in Jammu Division,
India, with geographical coordinates of 33°
19' 0" North, 75° 46' 0" East. Kishtwar is bounded on the
north by Kashmir and Zanskar Velleys, on the south by Bhaderwah and Doda
Tehsils, on the east by Himachal Predesh and on the west by Anantnag and Ramban
Districts. Kishtwar district branches off in three valleys of
Marwa,Warwan,Padder and Chatru with their terminal at Kishtwar town. There are
a number of mountain passes on the mountain ranges which links kishtwar
district with the other parts of Jammu & Kashmir state.Synthan pass links
Chingam with Daksum valley of Anantnag District at the elevation of 3784 meters
whereas Margan pass links Warwan Valley with Naubugh in Kashmir at a height of
3585 meters. It has large number of natural
springs of fresh
cold water and green pastures all over the area.
Water is another major issue of the kishtwar. In many places water is
difficult to procure. The main source of drinking water in kishtwar is natural
springs and Glaciers but they
are rapidly retreating. Some fields are irrigated using a Ditch system with sluice gates, though mostly
the villagers rely on Rainfall. The water mills are connected to this system as
well, around the major streams. Opening and closing various sluice gates will
direct the water to desired mills, fields, or households. Periodically, there
are minor conflicts relating to this water use, especially during the dry
months. Some villages also rely on long aqueduct systems that often are
destroyed during Landslides or
Avalanches. Kishtwar with its vast natural
resource base, large forest cover and enormous power potential holds the
potential of being one of the most prosperous distt of the J & K. Kishtwar
has excellent potential for hydropower generation. There are a number of
hydro-electric projects on the rivers Chenab.
The name Chenab means water coming from China. In ancient times due to lack of
knowledge it was thought that Chenab rose from China. The name has been drawn
from Persian language. Mighty river has great potential of Hydro electricity.
The experts assure that the Chenab has the capacity
of producing 7 to 8 thousands Mega watts of electricity, which
needs more projects to be constructed on it. But till date little potential of
river Chenab is taped in the shape of following Hydro Electric Project i.e. the
Salal Hydro Project has been constructed on the Chenab which falls in the
District Reasi. The Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Project first phase -390 MW. Glacial peaks and natural springs are
the measure water bank of kishtwar. Kishtwar is largely made up of mountainous areas full of forest, which
cradle many small streams and natural water
springs. These natural sources are nourished by snow and rain water, which is
the biggest source of water on this area. Spring is the main source of drinking
water supply in Kishtwar. In the present study following water sources
(springs, Hand Pumps and stream) has been selected for water quality monitoring
and assessment from portability and public health point of view.
The principal structure of drinking water
system is typically includes:
1) A raw water sources.
2) A treatment plant and
3) Distribution system.
Two main category of drinking water supply in Kishtwar:
I)
Ground Water (Hand Pumps
& Springs)
II)
Surface Water.(Streams &
River)
The details of various drinking water supply sources undertaken
for the present investigation are as follows:-
I. Ground Water Source of Drinking
Water Supply (spring) in Kistwar
1.
Gudrish Nag:
It is one of the oldest
spring located in Kishtwar town. It is situated in Simna area in the outskirt
of the city and its geographical coordinates are 33°18'49.81"N
75°47'21.39"E . As this spring is
the oldest one having historical significance for its origin and water quality.
It is just 2 Km away from the ‘histrorical Jamia Masjid of Kishtwar’ but the
water of this spring have been believed to be pristine and pure, hence no
pretreatment of raw water is required and people use water directly from the
source for drinking and other domestic needs.
In J&K region, it
is general perception of the people that spring water comes from a place where
god Nag lived. Local people think that water comes from the NAG who is the god
of spring and Hindu community in kishtwar worship the Gudrish NAG as their KUL
DEAVTA. In the winter the water of nag (Spring) become warm, local people
believes that the NAG (snake) DEVTA hibernate under the spring so that water
become hot by getting energy from NAG DEVATA and also believe that water become
energetic. But In the time of summer water of nag become cool again.
According to Muslim
belief, this spring was originated by the Shah Faried-ud-din Bagdadie who came
Kishtwar from Iraq to speard Islam. One
day when he was walking near the place of Gudrish Nag it was the time to offer
salah (Prayer) and for that he need water to wash his face and hands, in muslim
terminology it is called “ wazu” but he did not found water anywhere so he take
his “azdha”(a kind of sword) and throw it on stone and the water was gushes out
there. And the same was called as Gudrish Nag.
It
is more than 150 year old drinking water source of the kishtwar town and
contributed around 5% of total water supply. Water comes from Gudrish nag is collected in the Raghunath Mandir Reservoir
which is located near Semina Coloney N.H.P.C Kishtwar.
2. Naigadh
Naigadh
Canal is originated from Ratan Nag in Bhagana village, which is about 40 Km
away from the Kishtwar town. It is situated in North –East side of the town.
The Kishtwar town and its adjoining inhabited area is surrounded by the hills.
There is no other source expecting the Naigadh and is only the viable source to
fulfil the demand of the area. It contributed around 60% of water supply in
town. Water is collected in reservoir situated in filtration plant (Semina)
Kishtwar. Most of the surface source like streams, streams and Nallahs dried up
during the summer months Naigadh is the only source to overcome the scarcity of
water in town.
3. Lahala:
-
This famous spring is located near at Shalimar Nala in kishtwar. Its geographical coordinates are
33°18'2.17"N 75°48'8.26"E Local people also called lahala as lahali.
It is one of the important source of tap water supply for kishtwar town. It is
30 year old as per the PHE Department has set up the pipe line from spring
source to Simna water filter plant covering about 4 km distance.
According
to official data of P.H.E.D Kishtwar lahala contributed around 10% of the total
drinking water supply in kishtwar. Spring water from the lahala sorce through
the pipline is collected in the reservoir which is located near the filter
plant. Having capesty of 50,000 G. it’s a continues process water collected and then filter and
supply to the kishtwar town .There are number of difficulties comes to the PHE
Department to set up the pipe line in that area and also the Maintains is very tough for the worker. In the winter
time these pipes are burst with the exes of water pressure, for reducing the
pressure small leakage hole are made in the running pipe.
4. Massu Nag:
-
Gulabgarh is a small urban settlement (Kasba) close to Kishtwar town in
Pader. Massu Nag is located in Massu village which is close to Gulabgarh,
located in the way of famous Chandi mata temple (Machail). In case of hilly area
like massu the main sorce of drinking water is from the natural springs. There
are several springs in the locality but local people use Massu Nag water
mainely because of its good quality. It is perennial spring and most important
source of water for drinking and other house-hold need of the people of the
village. These people using spring water from decked and they use to make their
houses near springs and also used to warship these spring/nag. These springs
provide life to the villagers. its geographical coordinates are 33°18'54.52" N 76°11'33.89"E Unfortunately
many serious mistakes have been committed in the hilly area in the
implementation of drinking water schemes due to ignorance of local geography
and other socio-economic conditions. While some villages in Pader villager
continue to be collecting water from distant water source other villages have
gone ahead to provide water through pipeline next to their house.
5. Tatta pani:-
In jammu region ‘Tatta Pani’ refer to hot water, hence it is
a hot water spring which is located near Gulabgard.
Its geographical coordinates are 33°15'34.68"N 76° 8'50.76"E. This
hot spring has significance from tourism point of view and also has some
magical properties. Both tourists and Pilgrims from far come here for the cure
of their ailments. Rheumatism and muscular pains are said to be cure very
fast by taking bath in this water. The pilgrims come after a long gurney from
Machal Mata they use to take bath in a hot water spring. This water has curative power for various kinds of bodily
ailments.
It is general perception
here that bath in hot spring cure all type of skin and other disorder. People belief that after taking bath in this
spring all the pain of their life will disappear. Hot water of this spring is
used as a Charn amrit in Nag temple which is just close to hot spring. Just
like the holy water people use to take water with them also. The village is wel
connected with tap-waterSum house has also hot
water supply from this endless source.
6. Gushana Nag:-
Gushana is a small village located in the Dhrabshala block.
It is situated on up land around 15 Km away from the famous
Jami Mashid Dhrabshala. Approximate 40 to
rce of natural springs and they are utilizing
this water for various purposes. 50 families are living in this village
having the only drinking water source is this Nag. According to the people
living in this village, this Gushana Nag is about 100 year old. This Nag originates at an elevation of 1475 meter above mean
sea level (MSL). The villagers
use the spring water for
bathing, drinking and washing purposes.
There is no other source of drinking water in the
surrounding 3 kilometers area, and then the villagers use this water not only
for washing cloth and bathing but for their animals also. They take their Cattle to the Nag. In the front of Nag there is a small collection
tank constricted specially for the cattle.
II.
Ground Water Source of Drinking Water Supply (Hand Pump) in Kistwar:
1. Char Chinar hand pump:-
Besides
other water sources in the city, hand pumps are also used to fulfills the need
of drinking water of the people. In Kishtwar, to overcome the scarcity of
drinking water. Department of P.H.E division Kishtwar also set up the handpump
in sum area of town. Char Chinar Hand Pump is one of the important hand pump in
the area. It provides safe and clean water. It is situated in Kulid near Char Chinar
on the junction of Dul road and Bhandar kout road. Its geographical coordinates
are 33°19'24.35"N 75°45'43.02"E. All the people of surrounding localities
are depend on this hand pump for drinking water, even all the shop keepers of
this area uses this water. It also fulfills the drinking water requirement of
C.R.P.F camps soldiers.
2.
Wasser Hand Pump:-
Increase
the demand of water in Wasser village because it is so far from the Filtration
Plant so that in summer time water supply is very low in this area and all the
people have to depend upon this Hand Pump. Government of Kishtwar set up two
hand pump in this area. One of them is located behind the famous Shiv Mandir.
On this Hand Pump around 50 to 60 families are dependent. Also there is a one Anath
ashram in this area.
The children of this ashram are also dependent on this Hand Pump for drinking
and bathing purpose.
3.
Dhrabshala Hand Pump:-
Dhrabshala
is situated on the border line of two district name as Kishtwar and Doda. There
is a one Hand Pump installed just middle of the market and in the front of the
famous Jami Mashid. Its geographical coordinates are 33°10'48.17"N
75°48'29.61"E. The elevation of a geographic location is 1066.4 meter. Dhrabshala is situated
on the bank of river Chenab. So
water supply throughout the year is maintained in this area. Hence, this Hand
Pump is major source of drinking water for the people of this region.
III. Surface Water Source of Drinking Water Supply (Stream and Rivers)
in Kistwar
1.
Sadhol Gad stream
Sadhol Gad stream is located on Kishtwar-Doda Highway in Kandni. Its
geographical coordinates are 33°12'47.83"N75°48'3.42"E it is situated on the bank of river Chinab. The main
occupation of the people in this area is to culture honey bee. It comes from
the mountanes flow through Kandni and meets with river Chanab. A large number
of Water Mills (Gharats) are also set up on the stream, Gharats were
used as mills, the water would turn a turbine that would in turn turn a stone
that was used to grind grains into flower.the
people living in kandni use water of
Sadhol Gad for drinking and all other purposes.
2.
Vardi:
-
it
is
a perennial stream which is flow through mountain and finally meets the Chinab
River near at Vardi Bridge. Its geographical coordinates are 33°15'21.68"N
75°46'28.58"E. It is situated on Doda–kishtwar High way; it is 16 km away
from Kishtwar town. It play an important role in providing drinking water to
the Kishtwar town an its adjoining villages like matta, wasser, kulid , pandit
gaham etc. and even fulfill the need of
people who lives around the area
and also useful for Bakarwal and Gujar who comes here with their hurds during
summer months.
However, the PHED Kishtwar has
installed lengthy and heavy pipelines to collect water for tap water
supply in the city. But in summer months to maintain the proper water supply in
the Kishtwar town a long and thick pipe is arrange by PHE Department in stream
which just open into the road side. From there all the water tankers use to
fill up the water with the help of pipe. Different department like N.H.P.C,
J&K police, C.R.P.F, C.I.C.F, R.R.
are approximately 30-35 water
tanker regularly come to fulfill their
department drinking water requirement. In the month of June-July P.H.E
department tankers come number of time in a day for supplying water to the
water scarcity area. In sum area of the town meet only tanker feed drinking
water.
Bhandar Koot:-
Is
a holy place located in Block Nagsani of distt. Kishtwar. It is about 12 Km
away from Kishtwar town on Kishtwar Synthen –Anantnag road. Its geographical
coordinates are 33°21'32.51"N 75°43'57.92"E.Two big revers, the
Chander Bhaga river emanating from Baralacha glacier in Lahul-Sipiti (Himachal
Pradesh) and the Marivsodar emanating
from Baralacha glacier of Lanwila (Bhot-Kole) of Warwan are confluence at Bandar Koot. Same like in
Ganga, Hindus performed the religious rites of the dead on the bank of rivers. Baisakhi
mela has been held every year at the confluence (Bhandar Koot). Another
religious attraction of Bhandar Koot are famous Astaan of Shah zain-ud-din where
both Hindus & Muslims offer sacrifice of Cocks & Sheeps to Astaan.
IV. Tap Water Supply System in Kistwar Town
In Kistwar town, majority of water supplied through tap for drinking and domastic need of the people. The source of tap water supply is mostly springs. The princpal source of tap water supply is Naigadh Spring and Lahla Spring. Around 10% of the total drinking water supply in the town has been conterbuted by Lahla Spring whereas Naigadh contrbution is about 60% . Water from these two spring sources has been brought through the lenghthy pipelines i.e. 32.0 Km and 11.0 Km respectively and is collected in the reservior where these two water get mix Together. The capacity of this reservoir is about 50,000 Gallons. Prior to distribution through tap in the residential area, it is first treated in the Filtration Plant.
Filtration Plant for Drinking Water Supply:-
In
Kishtwar town there are two water Filtration Plants and are managed by Public
Health Engineering Division (PHED) it has treatment capacity of 20,000 GPH and
25,000 GPH respectively. This Drinking Water Filtration Plant is located at
Semina. At present only one filter plant is in working state having and it
filtered about 113.50 CUN/Hours and rate of filtration is 1050
Gallons/SQM/Hours.
This
filter action plant has 2 filter beds having 3.35×3.50 M each. It is about 18 year
old. The Depth and diameter of the clarifier is 3.05 m and 10.97 m
respectively. Detention time is 2 hours 30 minutes. In Kishtwar town there are
30 reservoirs 26 having capesty of 7
LG and 4 other having 4
LG each. 15 worker are working in the filtration plant, 2 Engineer, 2 Filter
operator, 3 supervisor, 6 Fitter and 2 Chokidar.
Six
localities of the Kishtwar town are benifited through this filtration plant:
these are Kishtwar town, Hidyal village,Matta village, Poochal vill,
Lachhkhazana vill, Lachhdayarana vill.
PHED provides
drinking water supply to the urban population @ 135 LPCD wheras in the
rulral area it is supplied @ 40 LPCD.
Raghunath
Mandir Reservoir:-
This
water reservoir is situated in front of Raghunath Mandir near N.H.P.C at Semina
colony. The oldest pipe line of Kishtwar is connected with this reservoir in
the time of Gen. K.M. Cariappa, O.B Commender in Chief of the Army of the
Republic of India. Water works in the city of kishtwar wer re-constructed by
the Indian Army in 1949. These pipe lines collect water directly from the
spring Gudrish Nag. It is supplied through pipe line system, without any
special treatment. This water is supplied to the sum part of Kishtwar town. Employees
of both N.H.P.C & C.I.S.F also depend upon this water supply. They have no
other choice except this reservoir. All the worker of N.H.P.C and C.I.S.F used
the water of nag for the drinking purpose because of two reasons, first one is
the purity of water and second one is there is no any other supply of drinking
water for the workers.
Current
status of drinking water supply in study area:
Although, Himalaya has been often referred to “Water Tower of Asia” but it is an
irony, people living in its lap now faces severe drinking water crisis. A large
volume of data on water availability in Himalayan states clearly indicates the
vulnerability of springs and small streams which are the main source of
drinking water for the Himalayan people. According to a conservative estimate,
about 80 percent of total drinking water supplies are fulfilled by these water
sources.
The
kishtwar town and its adjoining areas is inhabited in a hilly terrain. There is
no nearby water sources in the town expect the Naigadh Spring which is the main
sources and is located about 32 km from the town, This spring is the only
viable source of water to fulfill the entire domestic and other house hold demand
of the people in the area.
A disadvantage of using spring water source as a drinking water
supply in Kishtwar is that the quantity
of available water may change seasonally. So in the summer season quantity of
water is decreasing. So it can affect the total supply system of the town.
Water supply for domestic use
is
important not only for drinking water but also for sustainable sanitation
Although
the Chnab
is flowing nearly the town but water can’t be lifted because of the presence of Silt in it.
According
to the new data of PHED Kishhtwar. With in a disstrict there are 156 villages
out of which only 84 villages are covered with in the proper water supply system and left 72
are not even touched.
Table
: data showing number of villages are coverd and not coverd with the proper
water supply system:
Block
|
Total no of villages
|
covered villages
|
Non Covered Villages
|
1.
Padder
|
32
|
14
|
18
|
2.
Marwah
|
12
|
05
|
07
|
3.
Warwan
|
10
|
03
|
07
|
4.
Nagseni
|
14
|
06
|
08
|
5.
Dachan
|
05
|
03
|
02
|
6.
Kishtwar
|
22
|
18
|
04
|
7.
Chatroo
|
13
|
08
|
05
|
8.
Drabshalla
|
48
|
27
|
21
|
156
|
84
|
72
|
Source: PHED,
Kistwar
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