The Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has expressed deep concern over the transformation of the historic Zainkoot Kuhal into a sewage drain by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
In a strong statement, Qayoom Wani, the President of JKCSF, accused the land mafia and certain govt agencies of deliberately shrinking water bodies for commercial purposes, warning that the conversion of Zainkoot Kuhal is a grave threat to the region’s environmental and historical heritage.
Wani emphasized that Zainkoot Kuhal is not only of historical and economic significance but also serves as an important tributary to the Hokersar Wetland, a critical site for biodiversity in the region. He highlighted that the canal has played a key role in irrigation, contributing to the local economy and supporting the agricultural community.
“Water bodies and irrigation canals are being deliberately encroached upon and destroyed for commercial interests,” Wani said, urging immediate intervention by the Chief Minister. He warned that if the government does not address this issue, future generations may lose access to the vital water resources that have sustained the region for centuries.
In his statement, Wani raised pointed questions about the role of the SMC and the Flood Control Department in altering the canal’s function. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter, seeking to know who authorized the transformation of the canal into a sewage drain. “This is a sensitive issue, and the government must act quickly. If they remain silent, it will be a step towards erasing the history and ecology of the region,” Wani added.
The JKCSF has vowed to launch a statewide campaign to identify and combat the encroachment of all tributaries, irrigation kouls, and water bodies across the region. The group called for a comprehensive review of how such encroachments are allowed to take place and called on the Chief Minister to initiate a Vigilance probe into the matter to ensure accountability.
Rebuttal: Misleading Claims About Zainkoot Kuhal
The statement issued by the Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) regarding the transformation of Zainkoot Kuhal is unfounded, misleading, and detached from ground realities. It is essential to base such assertions on verifiable facts rather than emotional rhetoric. Here’s why the claims made by JKCSF are factually incorrect:
1. Zainkoot Kuhal Has Been Defunct for Years: The claim that Zainkoot Kuhal still serves an irrigation purpose is factually incorrect. The entire area has undergone extensive urbanization, with agricultural land giving way to residential and commercial structures. Since there is no remaining farmland dependent on the kuhals, the argument about its importance for irrigation is baseless.
2. Not a Tributary to Hokersar Wetland: The statement that Zainkoot Kuhal is an "important tributary" to Hokersar Wetland is factually incorrect. The kuhals were once small irrigation canals catering to local agriculture, but they were never primary water sources for Hokersar. Misrepresenting historical facts only weakens the credibility of the argument.
3. Verification of Ground Realities is Essential: Before issuing alarmist press releases, JKCSF should have conducted a proper on-ground verification. Making sweeping claims without assessing current land use patterns, water flow, and the region’s transformation over the years misleads the public and creates unnecessary panic.
4. Transformation Due to Urbanization, Not Conspiracy: The conversion of Zainkoot Kuhal is not the result of some covert land mafia operation, as alleged, but a natural consequence of urban expansion. Cities evolve, and infrastructure changes accordingly. Instead of clinging to outdated claims, the focus should be on practical urban water management solutions rather than resisting inevitable development.
5. Misplaced Environmental Concerns: While protecting water bodies is important, raising concerns about a long-defunct kuhals that no longer serve any agricultural or ecological function distracts from real environmental issues. Resources should be directed toward preserving active wetlands and functional water channels, rather than fixating on structures that have long lost their relevance.
The JKCSF’s statement lacks factual backing and fails to acknowledge the on-ground transformation of Zainkoot. Misinformation and nostalgia-driven activism do not serve the public interest. Any discussion on urban planning and water conservation must be based on verifiable data, not outdated assumptions. It is essential to move forward with practical solutions, not emotional narratives disconnected from reality.
Rebuttal: Misleading Claims About Zainkoot Kuhal
While it is commendable that the Jammu Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) raises concerns about environmental and urban issues, its recent statement regarding the transformation of Zainkoot Kuhal is unfounded, misleading, and detached from ground realities. It is crucial to base such claims on verifiable facts rather than speculation or nostalgia. Here’s why the JKCSF’s assertions do not hold up:
1. Zainkoot Kuhal Has Been Defunct for Years
The claim that Zainkoot Kuhal still serves an irrigation purpose is factually incorrect. The entire area has undergone extensive urbanization, with agricultural land giving way to residential and commercial structures. Since no farmland remains in the vicinity, the argument about the kuhals’ role in irrigation is baseless. There is no agricultural land left to be irrigated, as the entire area has been converted into residential colonies.
2. Not a Tributary to Hokersar Wetland
The assertion that Zainkoot Kuhal is an “important tributary” to Hokersar Wetland is misleading. Historically, kuhals were small irrigation channels designed for agriculture, but they were never primary sources of water for Hokersar. Making such a claim without evidence only undermines the credibility of the argument.
3. Verification of Ground Realities is Essential
Before issuing statements, on-ground verification is necessary. The landscape has significantly changed over the years, and making sweeping claims without assessing current land use, water flow, and the impact of urban expansion misleads the public and creates unnecessary panic.
4. Urbanization, Not Conspiracy, Led to Transformation
The transformation of Zainkoot Kuhal is not the result of a covert land mafia operation, as alleged, but a natural consequence of urban expansion. Cities evolve, and infrastructure changes accordingly. Instead of dwelling on outdated claims, the focus should be on practical urban water management solutions rather than resisting inevitable development.
5. Misplaced Environmental Concerns
While environmental protection is crucial, raising concerns about a long-defunct kuhals that no longer serves any agricultural or ecological function diverts attention from real environmental challenges. Resources should be directed toward preserving active wetlands and functional water channels rather than focusing on structures that have lost their relevance due to urbanization.
The JKCSF’s statement lacks factual backing and does not reflect the on-ground realities of Zainkoot. There is no agricultural land left in the area, making the claim of irrigation baseless. Misinformation and nostalgia-driven activism do not serve the public interest. Any discussion on urban planning and water conservation must be based on verifiable data, not outdated assumptions. It is essential to focus on practical solutions rather than emotional narratives disconnected from reality.
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