With summer approaching fast the concerns over the augmentation and management of water resources for both drinking and as well as irrigation purposes are rising in view of rising fears of long spells of dry weather triggered by very moderate snowfall witnessed during winters this year. As the shortage of water for both drinking and as wells as irrigation purposes is intensifying year after year due to unprecedented climate change even in Kashmir Valley known for having abundant water resources, the moderate snowfall this year has intensified the concerns not only over drinking water availability but also over the availability of water for irrigation purposes in peak summer months this year. Unlike many states and union territories of the country the Jammu & Kashmir has though no dispute with any of the neighbouring states or any union territories but yet again fears of the people about the scarcity of both drinking and irrigation water are rising because of the fact that water resources are not managed well enough to resist the pressure of long dry spells during peak summer months in Kashmir Valley. While for reducing the fears of shortage in drinking water facilities the onus lies on Jal Shakti Department, the responsibility of augmenting and regulating irrigation facilities lies on the Irrigation & Flood Control Department. As far as drinking water facility is concerned the Jal Shakti Department has not only to take care of it’s operational water resources but it has to also fast pace the work on such languishing water supply schemes which are nearing completion.
“Administrative wisdom demands that for managing and regulating the water resources in the peak summer months all the concerned departments plan well in advance for the purposes of augmenting the water resources well in time to resist the pressure of dry spells in peak winter months. Once preparations for augmenting the water resources are planned in advance it would be easy for the concern departments to thwart the pressures of dry spells during peak summer months in Kashmir Valley”.
On the contrary the management of water resources for irrigation purposes is not only the domain of Irrigation & Flood Control Department but it is also a huge concern for agriculture and horticulture departments which remain under stress due to huge difficulties in the accessibility of farmers to irrigation facilities during peak summer months. Though concerns of Jal Shakti and Irrigation & Flood Control Departments are not similar to those of agriculture and horticulture departments but concerns of all the four departments, i.e., Jal Shati and Irrigation & Flood Control departments and Agriculture & Horticulture department are directed at planning and managing water resources and henceforth coordination among them is very crucia;. Though bore wells dug out by farmers in their orchards have eased their accessibility to irrigation facilities but even the conventional irrigational facilities are badly need by farmers in pressing situations during peak winter months. Administrative wisdom demands that for managing and regulating the water resources in the peak summer months all the concerned departments plan well in advance for the purposes of augmenting the water resources well in time to resist the pressure of dry spells in peak winter months. Once preparations for augmenting the water resources are planned in advance it would be easy for the concern departments to thwart the pressures of dry spells during peak summer months in Kashmir Valley.
