North Kashmir united against ‘unauthorised’ diversion of nallah Ferozpora: JKCSF

Tangmarg, June 27: In a remarkable show of unity and defiance, the people of north Kashmir, led by Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, rose up today against what they termed a “designed disaster”—the unauthorized diversion of Nallah Ferozpora, the lone perennial water body in the region.

As per the statement issued, the protest joined by Gulmarg Citizens Forum led by Advocate Ashiq Magray and supported by the Kisan Association Tangmarg, saw the dislocation of large illegal water pipelines allegedly meant for a Budgam-based water supply scheme. Hundreds participated in this action-cum-peaceful protest, reclaiming the ecological and agricultural rights of North Kashmir residents.

“This is neither about politics nor pensioners or employees. This is about the lifeline of north Kashmir, particularly of subdivision Tangmarg,” said Abdul Qayoom Wani. “We cannot remain silent while Executive Engineers of PHE, Irrigation and other planners continue the vandalization of our only water source.”

Wani strongly condemned the activity as a blatant violation of the Environmental Protection Act of 1986, forest and agricultural rights, and said it endangers the environmental and economic fabric of the region. He appealed across party lines to respected leaders including MLA Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Former Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, Ex MLA Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, former MLA Mohammad Abbas Wani, senior PDP leader Shabir Ahmad Mir, AIP leader Adil Nazir, Prominent Socio Political activist Tejinder Singh, Bar Association Tangmarg, as well as traders bodies, NGOs, and welfare organisations from Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Kunzer, Magam, Dhobiwan, and Chandilora, to stand up for the people regardless of ideology.

Speaking on the occasion, Advocate Ashiq Magray, President Gulmarg Citizens Forum, said: “We have raised this issue many times with the authorities, but our pleas fell on deaf ears. Now the people have spoken. We won’t let our resources be looted.”

JKCSF sub-divisional president Ghulam Muhammad Magray, secretary Retired Engineer Muhammad Anwar Rather, socio political activists Mohd Shafi Parray, Socio political activist Ishfaq Raja, and Gh. Nabi Wani, Spokesman JKCSF Molvi Jahengir, senior leaders Farooq Ahmad Rather and Peer Ab Hamid besides other leaders and activists  of JKCSF joined in demanding permanent solutions, and showed there support and unity in the fight against this exploitation of Nallah Ferozpora.

Wani also appealed to writers, media persons, and intellectuals, especially former College Principal Prof. Dr. Abdul Jabbar, to use their influence in raising awareness and mobilizing public opinion around this critical issue.

He also emphasized that the government has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure judicious use of natural resources. “Before thinking of supplying this water elsewhere, the administration must first fulfil the needs of Tangmarg residents. The people here are the primary stakeholders and must be taken on board before any decision is made about Ferozpora Nalla,” he added.

Wani also called on the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Chief Secretary to intervene immediately and stop this loot of water.

If this planned vandalism is not stopped, we’ll be compelled to take this struggle to the streets,” Wani added.

Wani urged the public to rise in unity, and appealed to the people of Tangmarg to wake up and stand for their rights. “Ferozpora Nalla is the jugular vein of our irrigation, agriculture, horticulture, and drinking water supply. We must protect it before it is too late,” Wani concluded.