Water is a basic necessity of life. A human being may survive for some time without food, but life itself is impossible to imagine without water. This is why, across the world, protecting natural water resources is considered not only the responsibility of governments but also a collective responsibility of society. Unfortunately, the border area of Karnah is moving towards a potential water crisis whose serious consequences may have to be faced by ordinary people in the years to come.
Karnah was once considered a region blessed with abundant springs, streams, rivulets and natural water resources. The springs emerging from the mountains fulfilled the basic drinking-water needs of people in many areas. However, for some time now, a continuous decline has been observed in these natural sources of water. Several springs have either dried up completely or their water flow has decreased significantly compared to the past.
This situation cannot simply be ignored by attributing it entirely to natural changes. While changing weather patterns, declining forest cover, changes in rainfall patterns and other environmental factors are contributing to the problem, human negligence is also an important factor. Sadly, we have always treated our natural resources as something that can be used, without feeling an equal responsibility to protect them.
In recent days, reports of drinking-water shortages and difficulties from different villages of Karnah have emerged, which is a serious matter. In some areas, people have faced difficulties in meeting their basic water requirements, forcing residents to stage protests. These protests should not be viewed merely as a problem of water shortage for a few days; rather, they should be seen as a warning sign of a much larger crisis that may emerge in the future.
If people in a village are already being forced to come onto the streets for water, we must ask ourselves what the situation will be five, ten or twenty years from now if natural water sources continue to decline at the same pace and no alternative arrangements are made. Will we wait until people have to travel miles just to obtain a single bucket of water?
The responsibility of the government and concerned departments is equally important in this regard. Karnah urgently needs a comprehensive and long-term policy for the protection and management of its natural water resources.
Providing water through temporary arrangements for a few days cannot be considered a permanent solution. What is actually required is a scientific survey of all natural water sources in Karnah, their identification and documentation, and the preparation of separate conservation plans for every spring, stream and natural water reservoir.
Small- and large-scale rainwater harvesting projects should be launched to conserve and store rainwater. Unnecessary construction and activities around natural springs that may disturb their natural flow should be regulated and prevented. Similarly, the protection of forests and large-scale afforestation must become an integral part of any water conservation policy.
Responsibility of Political Leadership
The political leadership also has an important responsibility in this matter. The role of political leadership should not be limited to seeking votes from people during elections or announcing development projects. A basic issue such as water requires continuous political and administrative attention.
If different parts of Karnah are already experiencing water shortages, the issue needs to be consistently raised before the Assembly, administration and concerned authorities. Karnah needs a Long-Term Water Security Plan, taking into account the region’s requirements for the next ten, twenty and thirty years.
If we do not take this issue seriously today, how will future generations look at us?
The mountains, springs, streams and natural resources of Karnah are the real wealth of this region. If these resources are protected, life will remain easier for future generations. But if we allow them to be depleted, even the biggest claims of development will not be able to fulfil our most basic needs.
Today, we still have time to protect Karnah’s natural water resources. But if we continue to remain negligent, future generations may ask us:
When the springs were drying up, water resources were declining and warning bells were already ringing, why did we remain silent?
Columnist:
Mohammad Hafeez Mir
Contact No.: 7006756956
The Growing Drinking Water Crisis in Karnah: Today’s Neglect, Tomorrow’s Thirst:
