The Jal Jeevan Mission has certainly succeeded in fulfilling its slogan of Har Ghar Jal—providing piped water to every household. However, a critical dimension is missing: Shudh Jal—safe and clean water. In Jammu and Kashmir, on official documents nearly 90% of the population receives filtered water. But it is not true. Recently MLA Chadoora Mr. Ali Mohammad Dar has highlighted similar issue (unfiltered water supplied to people is shown as filtered water on papers by concerned authorities) during the budget session of the assembly. In reality the water supplied under the slogan Har Ghar Jalis either unfiltered or inadequately filtered. The water is sourced directly from rivers, streams, and local nallahs. Many of the water supply schemes/stations lift water from river Jhelum which is heavily polluted. This untreated water is lifted into overhead storage tanks and supplied to households without undergoing any meaningful purification. Given the contamination levels of these surface sources—laden with bacteria, industrial waste, sewage, and toxins—the region faces a growing public health crisis. Medical professionals across the Valley report increasing cases of liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal ailments, directly associated with prolonged exposure to poor-quality drinking water. Residents from both southern and northern districts frequently complain of foul-smelling, turbid water used for cooking and drinking. Despite complaints, water quality assessments, and media coverage, remedial action remains sporadic and insufficient. Compounding the problem is the absence of a robust water quality surveillance and treatment mechanism. While the infrastructure for water delivery has been built, the safety and purity of that water remain deeply compromised. Clean drinking water is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right. The consequences of this systemic neglect are already visible. The polluted waters of the Jhelum have led to the collapse of local fish populations, devastating the livelihoods of traditional fisherfolk. The health impacts on riverbank communities, who rely on Jhelum’s water for everyday needs, are increasingly alarming. Moreover, since the Jhelum is hydrologically linked to major wetlands and lakes—such as Wular, Hokersar, and Anchar—the pollutants in the river flow into and degrade these critical ecosystems too.
“While the lakes and wetlands of Kashmir rightly receive conservation focus, we must not allow the Jhelum to be forgotten. Similarly, providing water through pipelines achieves little if that water is contaminated. It’s time to upgrade Har Ghar Jal to Har Ghar Shudh Jal. Saving the Jhelum is about more than water. It’s about restoring a civilization and protecting public health with dignity and vision. The time to act is now.”
The toxic chain is long and interconnected. Saving the Jhelum demands a bold and exclusive revival roadmap. Piecemeal interventions won’t do—it needs structural reforms, political will, and citizen involvement. The following multi-pronged strategy could turn the tide. Construct modern, decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs) and artificial wetlands along the river’s course. Halting the flow of untreated waste into the Jhelum must be the first priority. Before that government must undertake a scientific mapping of all discharge points, both domestic and industrial. Monitor pollution levels rigorously and hold violators accountable.Launch a coordinated campaign to remove illegal constructions from riverbanks. At least 100 meter area on both banks of the river must be retrieved fir effectivemanagementof the river.. Empower municipal bodies, law enforcement, and local communities to work together.Reinvigorate the cultural importance of the Jhelum through heritage walks, public festivals, educational modules, and artistic expressions. Let people reclaim their river with pride.Establish a dedicated River Jhelum Conservation Authority under the Department of Environment & Forests to streamline planning, funding, and execution.Upgrade Jal Jeevan Mission systems with filtration and disinfection units to ensure that the water supplied is not just abundant, but also safe.
Conclusion: The Jhelum is not merely a river; it is the cultural, ecological, and emotional bloodstream of Kashmir. To let it die silently under layers of sewage and neglect is to abandon a heritage thousands of years old—and endanger the well-being of generations to come. While the lakes and wetlands of Kashmir rightly receive conservation focus, we must not allow the Jhelum to be forgotten. Similarly, providing water through pipelines achieves little if that water is contaminated. It’s time to upgrade Har Ghar Jal to Har Ghar Shudh Jal. Saving the Jhelum is about more than water. It’s about restoring a civilization and protecting public health with dignity and vision. The time to act is now.
(The author a freelancer a teacher and a researcher based in Gowhar Pora Chadoora is also Advisor at The Nature University Kashmir. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr. Ashraf Zainabi
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