SAAHIL SUHAIL
EARLY TIMES REPORT
ANANTNAG, Sept 2: Despite receiving clear cut directions from National Green Tribunal, the authorities in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have miserably failed to remove encroachments on famous Chaka Nadi.
Chaka Nadi, that originates from famous Martand temple spring, has been encroached by influential people at various spots from Mattan to Sarnal Anantnag while the Irrigation department too has failed to maintain the canal, residents told Early Times.
As reported earlier, the local residents have been pressing for removal of encroachments and desilting of this water body since 2015.
“We have raised this matter at multiple forums and demanded the restoration of Chaka Nadi. Despite clear cut directions the agencies like Revenue and Irrigation department ignored our repeated pleas and always sided with influential encroachers,” they said.
From Mattan to Sarnal Payeen, they said, the famous Chaka Nadi has been encroached due to which its carrying capacity has shrunk.
Originating from the famous Martand temple Spring, the Chaka Naadi flows through Mattan, Iqbalabad, Munzhama, Sarnal-Bala, Sarnal-Payeen, K P Road Anantnag and finally joins river Jehlum.
Local residents, who had lodged multiple complaints, alleged that the administration was resorting to delaying tact’s only help to some influential encroachers.
“Jammu and Kashmir High Court directed the Anantnag District Administration and concerned department to remove all encroachments on the canal and restore it but the authorities didn’t act,” they said.
Residents said that during 2014 during floods Chaka Nadi canal created havoc due to the encroachment and not only devastated the standing crop but also damaged some residential structures.
They said after floods, Irrigation & Flood Control started a drive and axed three trees along the canal, however after a few months, a group of farmers again encroached the canal by planting trees on the embankments of the canal.
Despite our repeated pleas, they said, the Revenue and Irrigation & Flood Control department took least interest in restoring the canal to its original position according to the directions of High Court.
On multiple occasions the revenue authorities promised to have sought reports from their field functionaries but encroachers continue to choke the canal.
Residents appealed Deputy Commissioner Anantnag to intervene into the matter and get the canal restored back to its original position.
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