Rakesh Magotra, Dr Jayaramulu Kolleboyina
Circa late eighties, Pt. Beli Ram Sharma sat cross-legged on the floor, his frail hands gently clasping an old ten-gram silver coin, its surface worn smooth by time. The image of Goddess Lakshmi gleamed faintly under the low voltage incandescence of bulb, as he murmured sacred chants with quiet reverence. This coin, once a symbol of his prosperous days, was now a relic of faith-an offering for his grandson, who was about to embark on his studies at Regional Engineering College, Srinagar. As the young boy touched his grandfather’s feet, Beli Ram hugged him tightly, pressing the coin into his palm. “Offer it to the Chanderbhaga as you cross Ramban,” he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “The river has witnessed generations of our ancestors-it will bless you with wisdom and strength.” The grandson nodded, tucking the coin safely into his pocket, carrying forward a tradition as old as the river itself.
This quiet act of devotion was not merely a personal ritual; it was a reflection of the deep reverence our ancestors had for rivers and water bodies. Across civilizations, rivers have been more than just sources of sustenance-they have been sacred lifelines, deities in their own right, worshipped and feared, celebrated in poetry and legend. From the banks of the Ganges to the mighty Indus, from the sacred waters of Chenab to the serene flow of Tawi, rivers have shaped the very identity of the land they traverse.
Yet, despite their profound cultural and ecological significance, the rivers that once nourished our lands and spirits are now bearing the brunt of neglect and apathy. The River Tawi, the soul of Jammu, is no exception. The Tawi originates from KailashKund Glacier in Seoj Dhar, Bhaderwah, located in Doda district, flowing down to Sudh Mahadev before eventually merging with the Chenab River across the border in Pakistan.According to local beliefs, Tawi is said to have divine origins and is regarded as the daughter of Surya Dev (the Sun God). Some versions of the legend suggest that the river was created by divine intervention to fulfill the prayers of a rishi (sage) who sought a sacred river to nourish the land of Jammu.
Another fascinating myth associated with Tawi is linked to PehrDevta, a revered local deity. It is said that PehrDevta, a celestial being, was instrumental in guiding the river’s course to Jammu. The legend narrates that the river Tawi once flowed differently, but PehrDevta’s intervention ensured its path towards the region, making it the lifeline of Jammu. Tawi is often regarded as a guardian river of Jammu, similar to how the Ganga is revered in Varanasi.
Such mythological references reflect a deep-rooted cultural mechanism that once played a crucial role in environmental conservation. In ancient societies, natural elements like rivers, mountains and forests were often deified to instill a sense of reverence and responsibility among people. By associating the River Tawi with a guardian deity, the myth functioned as a moral and social deterrent against pollution and exploitation. It ensured that the river remained untainted, as people feared divine retribution for any disrespect.From an anthropological perspective, such myths were an early form of ecological awareness, long before formal environmental laws existed. They created a collective consciousness where people internalized the duty of protecting natural resources.
However, with urbanization, scientific rationalism, and changing socio-economic priorities, these traditional belief systems have weakened, leading to the indiscriminate pollution and neglect we see today. The pollution of Tawi has reached alarming proportions. The city of Jammu, which relies on the river for a significant portion of its water supply, has transformed it into a dumping ground. Industrial waste, untreated sewage and plastic debris have choked its flow. Despite clear legal provisions and environmental regulations, municipal and industrial effluents continue to be discharged into its waters with impunity. Every monsoon, when the river swells, it washes away some of the visible filth, only to accumulate more once the waters recede. This cycle of degradation has led to the slow poisoning of aquatic life and a grave threat to public health.
The encroachments along the riverbanks further compound the problem. Unauthorized settlements, illegal constructions and indiscriminate mining of riverbed sand have disrupted the natural course of the river. The once-expansive floodplains of Tawi, which acted as a buffer during heavy rains, are being systematically eroded. With every passing year, the river’s capacity to recharge itself diminishes, making it increasingly vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations and erratic rainfall patterns.
Administrative apathy is evident in the half-hearted measures taken to preserve the river. Projects meant to restore and rejuvenate Tawi are plagued by delays and inefficiencies. The Tawi Riverfront Development Project, envisioned to transform the riverbanks into a sustainable and eco-friendly space, is yet to gain significant momentum.Meanwhile, illegal sand mining continues unabated, weakening the river’s foundation and accelerating its degradation.
The neglect of the Tawi River has severe implications, threatening Jammu with an impending water crisis. Rapid urbanization, population growth and over-extraction of groundwater are already straining the city’s water resources. Reports indicate a dangerous decline in groundwater levels, exacerbated by reduced river flow and erratic rainfall due to climate change. If current trends persist, Jammu may soon face acute water shortages, forcing stringent rationing and costly water-importation projects.
The fate of Tawi mirrors our collective responsibility toward nature. If left unchecked, Jammu risks becoming a water-stressed city, where access to clean water becomes a luxury. However, decisive action can restore the river’s health, ensuring it remains a lifeline for generations to come. A scientifically informed approach is crucial to reversing Tawi’s decline
Jammu, with its rich academic landscape, is home to premier research institutions such as IIT Jammu, SKUAST-Jammu and CSIR-IIIM Jammu. These institutions, at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements, hold the key to addressing one of the region’s most pressing concerns-the deteriorating health of the Tawi River. Among the promising innovations in wastewater treatment is the underground passage system, which not only filters contaminants, pathogens, and organic pollutants but also stabilizes temperature fluctuations and mitigates the impact of spills, thereby enhancing overall water quality. The integration of artificial intelligence, IoTand data science into water management further presents a transformative opportunity, offering data-driven solutions for restoring river flow and implementing sustainable conservation strategies.Given Jammu and Kashmir’s pristine Himalayan water sources and growing ecological challenges, the establishment of an Institute of Water Management could be a defining step toward sustainable water resource management.
Such initiatives, driven by interdisciplinary collaboration in hydrology, urban planning and ecology, would ensure that the rejuvenation of the Tawi is not just a distant aspiration but a scientifically executed reality. IIT Jammu which has been allocated significant resources in the Tawi’s catchment area, its expertise must be harnessed to develop a comprehensive river restoration blueprint-one that prevents a looming water crisis and secures the lifeline of Jammu for generations to come.On this International Water Day, let us rekindle our ancestors’ reverence for rivers, recognizing their survival as both an environmental and cultural necessity.
(Rakesh Magotra is a DGM in JK Bank and Dr Jayaramulu Kolleboyina is an Assistant Professor in IIT Jammu. )
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