The direction given by LG Manoj Sinha regarding the removal of encroachments along water bodies is, in principle, a welcome move that could mitigate many problems associated with flooding and related issues. However, the reality remains that successive governments, including the incumbent one, have struggled even to remove temporary encroachments made by local shopkeepers along footpaths and pavements. Despite repeated anti-encroachment drives carried out by civic bodies over the years, little has changed. In such circumstances, expecting the authorities to take up the enormous task of clearing all encroachments along water bodies seems nothing more than daydreaming.
The Jammu region in particular has witnessed unprecedented devastation during recent heavy rainfall, especially in areas close to water bodies. This has made it imperative for those in power to take adequate measures to minimize damage in the event of future extreme weather. Yet, before envisioning a scenario free from encroachments near water bodies, one must consider the entrenched nature of the problem in J&K. Reclaiming state land is a herculean task, and despite several court directions, little progress has been achieved in retrieving it.
According to a recent government statement, over 17,00,000 kanals of state land in J&K are under illegal occupation. This gigantic figure itself reflects the helplessness of those at the helm in addressing the problem. Under such circumstances, the likelihood of removing encroachments from water bodies—given the inevitable public backlash, political pressure, and other bottlenecks—appears bleak, even though such measures are absolutely necessary to safeguard lives and property from natural calamities.
Removing encroachments is not a minor project; it requires a comprehensive state-level policy to tackle this deep-rooted problem effectively. The issue must be addressed with a broad-spectrum approach. Encroachments exist in various forms: state land in and around urban centres, Shamlat and Gha Chariee land in semi-urban and rural areas, Banjar Kadeem land near cities and its periphery, forest land, irrigation department land on both sides of canals and streams, large chunks of land emerging as islands in the Tawi, Chenab, and other seasonal rivers and streams, Khads including gair-mumkin Khads and Nallahs, land misused under the guise of contracts for hoardings with local bodies, and footpaths encroached by traders and shopkeepers.
The profile of encroachers is equally significant: from ordinary individuals to influential people, including politicians, police and civil bureaucracy, communities, so-called social and charitable organizations, religious institutions, and even certain government departments themselves.
This is not a pessimistic view but a realistic one. Going by J&K’s track record, expecting sweeping change is like hoping that someone will bring the moon and stars down to earth. All said and done, the need of the hour is strong political will, administrative courage, and above all, persistent efforts to clear encroachments from water bodies. Only then can the damage from future floods be significantly reduced.
