Neglect chokes Shopian’s Himal spring

Shopian, Jun 15: The once-pristine Himal spring in south Kashmir’s Shopian district is now choked with garbage, fallen leaves, and overgrown weeds, with locals alleging that authorities have shown little urgency in cleaning a water body that carries both ecological and cultural significance.

Located in Balopora on a plateau, some 4 km from the district headquarters, the spring is associated with the well-known Kashmiri folk legend of Himal and Nagrai, a love legend of a princess and a serpent that has been passed down through generations in the region’s oral storytelling tradition.

Locals say the spring, once known for its clear waters, is now covered with a thick layer of organic waste, including dry leaves, straw and grass, along with scattered plastic litter, affecting its appearance and raising concerns about its gradual neglect.

Despite its cultural importance, residents said conservation efforts have been minimal, even as the site continues to draw attention for its connection to Kashmiri folklore.

Mitha Gatoo, a social activist from Shopian, told Greater Kashmir that the spring is an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage and must be preserved.

“We must not forget our heritage and allow it to decay in silence. These places are not just water bodies, they are living memories of our culture and identity,” he said.

Gatoo that the authorities and local stakeholders need to take urgent steps to restore and protect such heritage sites before they are permanently damaged.

Locals echoed similar concerns, saying the spring requires immediate cleaning and long-term conservation measures to prevent further deterioration.

The neglect of Himal spring, residents said, reflects a broader pattern of fading attention to smaller heritage-linked natural sites across the Valley.

“Although the government erected a fence around Nagri spring located at Sofan Naman a few years go, no attention had been paid to Himal spring,” the locals said.