By B.L. Bhardwaj
Imagine a scorching summer day with no drinking water at home. In such a dire situation, where would you turn? For the 2 million residents of Jammu city—and countless animals and birds—the answer is clear: the Tawi River, their primary source of fresh water.
River Tawi holds both spiritual and historical significance. According to the ancient Vishnu Puran, it was brought to Jammu by King Pehar Devta to heal his ailing father. This legend highlights the reverence with which this river has been regarded since ancient times.
The origin of the Tawi River is closely tied to the formation of the Himalayas, which were created through four major geological upheavals. It was during the last of these upheavals that the modern river systems—Indus, Brahmaputra, Ganga, and Sutlej—emerged. This places the age of the Tawi River at around 150 million years, dating back to the Upper Pliocene to Pleistocene epochs.
In recent years, a long-standing dream has come true with the creation of the Jammu Lake, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir. The Tawi, which stretches approximately 150 km, now feeds into this lake from the north. While the river is abundant during the monsoon, its volume significantly decreases in the summer. The construction of a 1.5 km long and 600 m wide barrage has helped in storing water. Experts and engineers have likely studied the impact of this pondage thoroughly. Excess water from the lake can be effectively utilized for irrigation in the arid Kandi areas through lift irrigation techniques.
Every year, a cleaning operation is carried out for the Jammu Canal, where silt accumulates over time. The Tawi River, flowing through the Siwalik hills composed of sandstone, coarse grains, clay, and shale, produces less silt than the Chenab River, which runs through harder metamorphic rock formations. Chenab’s silt is dark brown and sticky in nature, in contrast to the relatively cleaner silt of the Tawi.
The Challenges Facing Surajputri Tawi
Despite its historical and spiritual significance, River Tawi—reverently known as Surajputri—has suffered from years of neglect. Once believed to have healing properties, its waters have now become polluted and the riverbanks have turned into dumping grounds. The degradation is a stark contrast to its sacred status.
Urgent action is needed. The government must ensure that no drains or nallahs flow into the Tawi, from its origin to its confluence. Its sanctity, purity, and ecological health must be preserved at every stage. Unfortunately, no substantial measures have been taken to enhance the river’s flow during summer, when water scarcity peaks.
A viable solution could be the linking of the Tawi with the Chenab River, a move that deserves serious consideration, especially given the increasing number of visitors to Jammu. Regular desilting operations should also be institutionalized to maintain the river’s flow and cleanliness.
Tawi Bachao Andolan: A Community’s Call
One group that has tirelessly worked to restore the river’s dignity is the Tawi Bachao Andolan, led by senior advocate Chander Mohan Sharma. Through regular evening prayers by the riverside and community engagement, they have raised awareness about the importance of keeping the Tawi clean and sacred. However, due to financial limitations, larger outreach initiatives such as excursions, seminars, and debates have been difficult to organize.
The people of Jammu can make a meaningful difference. With collective will and generous contributions, we can revive the river that has given us life, culture, and identity. It’s time to restore River Tawi to its former glory.
