June 28,2024
REHANA MAQBOOL ,MEHNAZA AKHTER
Every morning, long before sunrise, Posha Khan sets out on a hard journey, often walking several kilometers to get water for her family. With a pot on her head, Khan braves bad weather and difficult paths. Her determination and strength show the spirit of the women in Daslipora Singpora, who are most affected by this ongoing crisis.
Khan's struggle reflects the broader issue faced by over 1,800 households in Daslipora and the 20 nearby villages of north Kashmir's Baramulla district dealing with the same issue.
One particularly tough morning, Khan remembers walking on a narrow path through newly planted rice crops. The baby plants were fragile, and the mud was very slippery. As she carefully made her way, she suddenly slipped, falling hard and breaking her leg and the pot. The injury was serious, and it took her almost a month to recover, leaving her family to rely on their already struggling neighbors. This incident highlights the dangerous conditions the women of this village face in their daily search for water.
Khan's story is seen in every household in Daslipora Singpora. The villagers depend on water tanks and an unreliable pipeline that goes through crop fields, often giving only a few drops of water. Water tanks used to visit twice a month, but the supply was small and now they have completely disappeared.
Khadija Begum, an elderly woman in her 70s, continues this hard task despite her age and health problems. Begum, who suffers from arthritis, makes the painful journey because her family depends on her.
Adding to these stories is Manzoor Ahmad Khan, an elderly resident of the village. "This struggle has affected every single person here. It's not just a problem of today; it's been our way of life for decades," he says. "The government didn't provide any source of water, so we are forced to drink contaminated water from canals, leading to various health problems like heart disease, kidney disease, and thyroid issues.”
Mohammad Ashraf, another villager, said, "This scarcity is like a threat to people. People from other districts and villages don't want their daughters to marry in this village because of water scarcity.”
A social activist, Mohammad Ramzaan Dar, emphasizes the severity of the situation. "This scarcity is making our way more difficult. I'm afraid someday people will migrate because multiple families have moved out from this village to another. They left everything just because of this problem,” he said.
The water scarcity affects all aspects of life in Daslipora Singpora. Children, especially girls, often miss school to help their families collect water, hurting their education and future prospects.
Health problems arise from the lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitation, making the community’s struggles worse.
Health problems arise from the lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitation, making the community’s struggles worse.
The irregular water deliveries mean that any illness or disruption can leave families without water for weeks.
Despite these hardships, the community of Daslipora Singpora shows remarkable resilience. Families ration their water use and create makeshift storage systems to capture rainwater.
Community solidarity is strong, with neighbors often helping each other in times of need. However, these measures are temporary solutions and highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management.
There is a growing demand for government intervention and the implementation of sustainable water management practices.
Residents call for reliable water infrastructure and conservation techniques to ensure a steady water supply
Assistant Executive Engineer Mr Mudasir Nayeem Rather, of Jal Shakti Department acknowledges the severity of the situation, stating, "The sub-division pattan has been long in demand for water.”
He explains the main issue was the lack of a water source and that there were no existing schemes to address the water scarcity in the Pattern sub-division.
However, hope is on the horizon. AEE highlights the impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission launched by the Honorable Prime Minister of India. "In the Sub-division Patan, there are now 30 schemes under JJM aimed at providing every household with potable tap water," he notes.
A major project of 57 crores has been executed under JJM "water supply scheme parihaspora"to address the water scarcity in Daslipora and other neighbor villages."
WATER SUPPLY PROJECT PARIHASPORA
He also discusses the challenges faced during the implementation of these projects, such as resistance from householders along the pipeline routes. "Many householders refuse to allow pipelines to be laid through their land, citing objections to digging on their property, ” he said.
Despite these obstacles, the project is expected to be completed in the next ensuing financial year 2025-2026.
In the meantime, water tankers are being deployed to supply water to villages facing shortages.
Khan’s journey for water symbolizes the broader struggle faced by the people of Daslipora Singpora. Their resilience underscores the urgent need for action. Khan's hope is simple: that one day, the children of Daslipora Singpora will not have to walk miles for a basic human right.
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