Imran Shah
Kishtwar A long-standing water dispute between the residents of Kaakoli Nala, Sarthal and Bagdhat, Saroor in Kishtwar district has reached a boiling point, with both villages accusing each other of unfair practices regarding access to vital water resources.
The matter escalated over the past week, prompting intervention from MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar, who held a public meeting to listen to the grievances and assure an amicable resolution.
The dispute revolves around the distribution of water from a shared spring near Kaakoli Nala, which supplies both villages. Residents from Kaakoli Nala allege that Bagdhat is drawing excessive water, leaving them with insufficient supply for their households and fields. Conversely, Bagdhat villagers claim they are merely using their rightful share and accuse Kaakoli Nala of attempting to monopolize the resource.
Pawan Kumar, a farmer from Kaakoli Nala, voiced his frustration:
“For years, we’ve been sharing this water source, but recently, they [Bagdhat] have installed pipes that divert most of the flow. Our crops are drying up, and even our livestock is suffering. This is unjust.”
Shakeela Begum, a homemaker from Bagdhat, countered:
“We are a larger village, and our needs are greater. They can’t expect us to survive on a trickle. Every family deserves water for drinking, cooking, and washing. We aren’t taking more than what’s fair.”
Understanding the gravity of the situation, MLA Shagun Parihar convened a meeting in Sarthal, bringing representatives from both villages together. The gathering, held in the local community hall, saw emotional appeals from both sides.
Addressing the crowd, MLA Parihar said:
“Water is a shared resource and both communities must have equal access to it. This dispute has disrupted harmony between neighbors, and we cannot let it continue. I assure you that a fair solution will be implemented within the next week.”
The MLA announced the formation of a committee comprising elders from both villages, local engineers, and government officials to assess the water distribution system and recommend improvements.
The intervention has brought some hope but also skepticism:
A schoolteacher from Kaakoli Nala, welcomed the MLA’s assurance but remained cautious:
“We have heard promises before, but little has changed. I hope this time, the administration ensures that both villages get their fair share.”
Zahid Hussain, a youth leader from Bagdhat, expressed optimism:
“This issue can only be resolved through dialogue. We are ready to work with the committee to find a lasting solution.”
Meanwhile, some residents criticized the authorities for letting the issue escalate.
Nasreen Akhtar, a social worker from Sarthal, remarked:
“The government should have addressed this much earlier. Water disputes are common in our region, and proactive measures are necessary to prevent such conflicts.”
The MLA directed immediate steps to ensure temporary relief, such as:
Installing additional water tanks in both villages.
Repairing and upgrading the existing pipeline to improve flow efficiency.
Surveying alternate water sources to reduce dependency on the spring.
The final report from the committee is expected within a week, after which the administration will implement long-term solutions.
The Kaakoli Nala-Bagdhat dispute is a microcosm of water scarcity challenges faced in hilly regions like Kishtwar, where growing populations and limited resources often lead to conflicts. The incident highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management and infrastructure development in rural Jammu and Kashmir to prevent such disputes in the future.
As the situation unfolds, locals remain hopeful that MLA Shagun Parihar’s intervention will pave the way for equitable resource sharing and restore peace between the two villages. (TDD)
