CHAKWAL: Hundreds of tourists who visited the fabled pond of Katas Raj during Eid were disappointed to see that the pond was filled with just two or three feet of water, despite the uninterrupted operation of turbines.

Many tourists visit the fascinating Katas Raj temples, Hari Singh Nalwa Haveli and the fabled pond every Eid.

“We could not perform ishnan in the pond as there was too little water and worship is incomplete without ishnan,” a Hindu pilgrim from Mardan told Dawn.

A few days ago, the concerned authorities launched efforts to fill the pond with water but in vain. A fresh de-silting campaign was launched by a cement company on the orders of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). Last Thursday, the authorities observed that water was still not flowing from the natural springs.

Therefore, a blue plastic sheet was laid in the pond then, in hopes that it will stop the water brought in by the nearby turbines from being absorbed by the dry land.

“However, even the plastic sheet did not help and all the water brought to the pond by turbines was absorbed by the land in an hour,” a worker who took part in the operation told Dawn.

There was therefore two or three feet of water in a small portion of the pond during the Eid holidays.

“We kept bringing water to the pond via two turbines for five days but the soil kept absorbing it,” a labourer said.

Former MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar told Dawn the plastic sheet had started floating when water was poured into the pond and had come up to the surface.

“Ishnan is not possible in water brought into the pond through turbines anyways as the holy bath has to be done in the water of the sacred pond, but we wanted to fill the pond so it looks good,” he said.

An official of the cement factory said his organisation had done whatever ETPB had asked.

“First they asked us to de-silt the site which we did and then asked us to lay a plastic sheet which we did and we are paying for all these activities as well,” he said, adding that cement plants are not the only reason for the water shortage in the area.

“Climate change also affects the supply of water as does excessive use of water in domestic units,” he argued.

ETPB Deputy Secretary Syed Faraz Abbas said all efforts were made for storing water in the pond before Eid.

“The pond was cleaned and as were the openings of the natural springs. The pond will fill up whenever it rains,” he said.

Former MPA Mehwish Sultana emphasised on the need for constructing small dams in the area.

“That is the only way to raise the water table in the area,” she said, adding that there are three sites where dams can be constructed.

“One site is opposite the Tehsil Complex which is known as Thabla, the second is behind the gardens of the District Council and the third is near Ghandala Garden,” she said.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2018