“instead of planting trees, we are cutting them down, harming nature, and causing drought in the valley. but today, kashmir’s environment is under threat,” environmental scholar ab majeed said.

kashmir, the northernmost part of the indian subcontinent surrounded by the himalayas and amazing landscapes, is home to famous springs that have flowed for hundreds of years. the achabal spring in anantnag, the nishat garden spring in srinagar, and the aripal spring in tral are notable water sources in kashmir, each known for their unique charm. these springs are not only scenic, but also hold cultural and historical significance. 

but these springs are facing a serious problem. in february 2025, for the first time ever, each one stopped flowing. the unexpected drying of these important water sources is a clear warning to the people living there, who are now dealing with a growing water shortage that affects drinking water, farming, and the culture of kashmir.

these springs have always provided hydration for the land and its people. their constant water flow was taken for granted, a promise of life and prosperity even during tough winters. but now the balance has been disrupted by a long dry spell, made worse by 75% less snowfall according to meteorological department srinagar director mukhtar ahmad.

the drought has been worsened by pollution and deforestation. places that used to be full of water are now dry. the loss is not just about the water; it’s about the strong connection between the people and their environment.

mohd amin dar, a gardener who has cared for the ancient nilnag spring in south kashmir — connected to seven other springs in tral — shared his sadness. “the nilnag spring, which has helped our community for many years, has dried up. i remember when its water was vital for drinking and irrigation. there were times when the water would slow down naturally, but now our actions have caused it to disappear,” he said. 

his assistant, filled with emotion, added, “this is the second time i have seen such a disaster. these springs are not just sources of water; they are special gifts from nature. our neglect and pollution have pushed us into a severe drought.”

farming, which is a vital source of income for many local families, is struggling because of the water shortage. fields that used to thrive with water from these springs are now dry and unproductive. 

in tral, a village in south kashmir, the aripal spring used to provide steady water for crops, but sudden losses now threaten not only farmers’ incomes but also the food supply for the whole region. people are scared that if quick action is not taken, these issues could hurt farming for years.

the aripal spring is especially important to the tral people. located in the mountains not far from tral, its clear waters were praised in kashmiri poetry and seen as a sign of divine favor. poets like wahab khar wrote ” ار پل چھ پانی یتھ ونہ ژھالان، چشمس پانی نہ چھ آمو ترالہ” (the water of aripal does not dry up in any season; the spring’s water never stops flowing to tral.)

but today, that promise is broken. according to gh mohd bhat, a phe (public health engineering) employee from tral, kashmir who lives nearby, “the aripal spring has a rich history. its water used to drop a little in november and december but would return in february. this time, because of what we have done, it has completely vanished.”

tourism, a significant industry in the area, is also affected. gardens like achabal and nishat, once known for their beauty and the sound of flowing water, are now quiet reminders of nature’s troubles. 

“tourists are no longer visiting these gardens. the springs that used to attract visitors are now gone. their absence hurts both the environment and the economy of our towns,” said dilshada begum, an employee connected to the local heritage.

the drying up of achabal spring, a vital feature of the historic mughal garden built by empress noor jahan, has severely impacted both tourism and the local economy. the decline in tourist visits has hurt businesses such as handicraft sellers, hotels, and transport services.

as the water disappears, many people feel a loss of hope. the natural beauty and importance of these springs have brought people together in celebrating their culture. “cutting down trees and dumping waste has sped up this crisis. instead of caring for our trees and waters we are hurting them,” environmental expert mohd shafi sofi said.

but amidst this sadness, there is a new hope emerging. out of their grief, local volunteer groups are taking action. young people, students, and concerned citizens have come together, dedicated to fixing the damage done to their beloved environment.

javed dar, a renowned photojournalist, has started an initiative to clean the polluted rivers and streams of south kashmir. to inspire others to participate in the cleanup operations, he formed a team of roughly 40 individuals. the sandran river, which used to be a popular place for kids to play in muniwar village, anantnag district, is now overflowing with trash. with regret, javed recalled, “as children, we used to play in this river. it’s so polluted now that it’s hard to even walk next to it.” the anguish of people witnessing this once-beautiful river become a landfill is reflected in his remarks.

a significant effort toward environmental conservation has taken shape in the gulmarg belt, north kashmir’s most-visited tourist spot. rah-e-umeed foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the underprivileged and those in need, led a large-scale cleanliness drive, bringing together hundreds of volunteers to keep gulmarg and tangmarg clean.

in aripal village, a local school has started drives that focus on environmental care. “our teachers and classmates are dedicated to keeping our area clean. we hope that what we do will inspire others to see how important our springs are and to act before it’s too late,” said umais nazeer, a student involved in these efforts.

campaign members like qamran, a recent media graduate from university of kashmir, are actively taking part in the cleanup drives and rallying with passion, believing that bringing back these springs is not just about the environment but also about cultural heritage. 

“we want to raise awareness throughout the kashmir valley,” he said. “we need everyone to see that saving our waters means saving our heritage. with help from local contractors and our personal efforts, we are doing all we can to clean up and restore these springs’ natural flow.” many share his belief that together, they can make a difference even in tough times.

the story of kashmir’s dried springs is complex — a tale of poor environmental management and the tough consequences of neglect, mixed with the strong spirit of a people determined to reclaim their heritage. it is a story filled with tears and sadness, but also filled with hope. each volunteer, every clean-up event, and the collective voice of local communities signal a promise that past mistakes will not shape the future.

“even if the achabal, nishat, and aripal springs seem calm now, the voices of kashmir’s people are not silent. we are united in healing our land — every piece of trash we remove and every drop of water we save is a step toward restoration. nature is fragile, but our spirit is strong. with hope, perseverance, and collective dedication, i believe we can revive these springs and build a sustainable future,” volunteer sajad murinwari said.