We can generate our own economic avenues

EXPLOITATION - ZAHID SAMOON

I sometimes wonder why we protest on trivial issues and ignore the most vital ones, and not fight against the injustice done to out state, time and again. Why are we lip-locked over the successive failure of state governments to address the economical issues concerning the very existence and development of J & K. Political parties keep reciting the exploitation issues when they are out of power but don’t put in enough efforts to resolve them when in power. Why doesn’t our political leadership along with ruling and non-ruling political parties come together to find a solution to our economic dependence on central aids. Why can’t we generate our own economic avenues? Why don’t we fight for our legitimate right over our natural resources?
Jammu and Kashmir has been bestowed best from the bounties of Mother Nature. It is rich in vast renewable as well as non renewable resources. But these resources have remained untapped due to prevailing political unrest as well as lack of proper leadership to address state’s economical issues. Our State has largely remained dependent on the central aids and meager amount of revenue generated from tourism and other allied sectors. Successive state governments have been unable to devise a viable economic strategy to tap vast natural resources. Even though some political parties are voicing their concern over the exploitation of our water resources by the central government, but they have not been able to create a common consensus within regional parties.
When it comes to Indo-Pak relations, Kashmir issue has remained at the top of their agenda. Yet both countries have exploited Kashmir’s water resources without giving an equal share to the residents of their respective parts of Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan still are agrarian based economies, with a large share of their GDP coming from the agriculture sector. Both countries have been trying to make maximum use of the water resources for irrigation purposes. Along with agriculture, water has come up as a source of renewable hydro electric power. Both countries have remained hostile to each other for last 60 years, with little success in resolving their mutual conflicts over different issues. The only success they have attained is through the distribution of their river waters. The Indus Water Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan is one of the few examples in South Asia, where both countries worked maturely to address the water sharing conflict. Under the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive right over three rivers-Indus, Jhelum and Chenab while India has exclusive right over Sutlej, Ravi and Beas. India has successfully put the rivers in her lap, to generate good amount of hydroelectric power as well as create excellent irrigational facilities in Indian plains. The Treaty fixed and delimited the rights and obligations of India and Pakistan in context of the distribution of Indus water System. The treaty deprived our state to use its own water resources and became one of the reasons for the alienation of people and has severely affected the economic development in the state.
Our politicians haven’t shown enough maturity to negotiate terms with central government. They haven’t even protested for the vandalism of our environment through the central projects. The state incurs losses estimated at Rs 6500 crore annually by the dint of Indus Water Treaty. There are losses in agricultural sector as well as in the generation of hydro-electric power which has otherwise an estimated potential of 20,000 MW. Our politicians should understand that mere passive shouting will not do. They will have to come forward, join hands with each other and consult economic experts to find a way forward.
I have time and again put forward the negative impact of Kishenganga Dam on our environment in front of respected readers. But the time to enumerate the negative impact of the Kishenganga Dam is over. We need to take some practical steps. The politicians have to come above party lines and address the issue of water exploitation with central Government. The work on 330-MW project, with an upgradable capacity of 990 MW, started in 1994. Pakistan has protested since the inception of this project, prompting talks between India and Pakistan. Pakistan alleges that Kishenganga (tributary of Jhelum River) will adversely affect its agriculture and hydroelectric project on river Neelum/Kishenganga across LOC. India redesigned the project in 2006, which has converted it from a storage project to a ‘run-of-river plant. But still India is going to construct a Dam which will inundate 1/3rd of the Gurez Valley. Many Villages will be submerged in the Waters, including the Badwan Village, Nile, Kanzalwan, etc. The Dam will change the climatic conditions of the area and will be detrimental for the sustenance of human as well as wild life in the remote Gurez Valley. Experts say Kishenganga Dam will also affect the fragile ecology of the place and will also disturb the Geological processes. Further it will increase the intensity of the cold waves and agriculture will be badly affected.
Many separatist political parties have voiced their concern over the exploitation of our water resources. Recently PDP – a regional party of Kashmir has voiced its concern over the construction of Kishenganga Dam in Gurez and losses due to Indus water treaty. And in recent Assembly session Local MLA of Gurez (from NC) had voiced the concerns of Gurez People against Kishenganga Dam in Assembly hall. He even described the Indus Water Treaty as Symbol of Slavery!
It is being felt by all the individuals, leaders and politicians that we have been on the losing side for last 49 years, since the inception of the Indus water treaty. But we have not been able to put our point clearly in front of the central Government. Why should we get only 12% Royalty on all central projects? Our environment, natural resources and our development is at stake. Why should we lose 6500 crores every year due to an unjust treaty between India and Pakistan? Why is J&K silent over such a crucial issue? Our intellectuals need to create mass awareness in this regard. Our researchers and economists need to device a comprehensive economic strategy to uplift our state from Backwardness and break the shackles of ignorance.