Rawalakot, Pakistan-administered Jammu & Kashmir: The scenic mountain town of Rawalakot, once known for its natural beauty and resilient spirit, is now facing one of the worst water shortages in its history. A combination of climate change, deforestation, and chronic mismanagement has brought this key urban center in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (PaJK) to the brink of a water emergency.
Despite being surrounded by lush hills and natural valleys, Rawalakot is not situated near any major river or perennial stream. Historically, this didn’t pose a problem, as the town had a high groundwater table, easily accessible at depths of 50–80 feet. However, over-extraction, declining snowfall, and rapid urbanization have now pushed the water table down to as deep as 400 feet — and even then, successful boreholes are rare.
From Snow-Capped Serenity to Thirst-Stricken City
Over the past few years, Rawalakot has experienced an alarming reduction in winter snowfall, once a crucial natural source of replenishment for its underground aquifers. The prolonged dry spells have also dried up centuries-old natural springs in the surrounding villages, which had historically sustained rural populations.
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“Villagers who once relied on mountain springs now walk miles or spend large portions of their income to buy water,” says local resident Altaf Hussain. “Rawalakot is drying up.”
Urban Water Infrastructure on the Verge of Collapse
According to the Public Health Engineering Department, Rawalakot’s current population — officially 56,000 as per the 2017 census — has swelled significantly due to migration from surrounding rural areas. This unplanned growth has placed unsustainable pressure on aging water infrastructure, which now fails to serve even 20% of the city’s daily needs.
- Current daily water demand: 1.5 million gallons
- Projected demand by 2030: 5 million gallons
- Operational water supply schemes: Largely dysfunctional or dried up
- Main source (Drik Dam): Critically low levels; expansion project stalled
In the last 15 days alone, over 70% of the city’s boreholes have gone dry, and both public and private tanker services are either overwhelmed or shut down due to lack of source water. Two small private tanker companies are now the city’s only operational lifelines, running 24/7 but at unaffordably high prices for many residents.
Policy Paralysis and Environmental Blind Spots
Rawalakot has an entire government department designated for water management, but observers say it has done little more than issue press releases and short-term advisories. No actionable plan exists for groundwater recharge, emergency water delivery, or long-term urban water sustainability.
Moreover, a major contributing factor to the water crisis — often overlooked — is the mass plantation of eucalyptus trees (known locally as “Safeda”). This fast-growing, non-native species is widely cultivated for commercial timber but is notorious for depleting groundwater reserves.
Despite environmental warnings and global research on the dangers of eucalyptus plantations, no government policy exists to curb or remove them in Rawalakot or its surroundings.
Is Anyone Listening?
The water crisis in Rawalakot reflects a broader governance challenge in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, where environmental policy, urban planning, and climate adaptation remain critically underdeveloped. While the people of the region face daily water scarcity, elected officials, provincial departments, and central authorities have remained largely disengaged.
Local advocacy groups and civil society actors are calling for immediate action, including:
- Emergency water delivery programs using military or disaster relief frameworks.
- A rapid groundwater assessment and public release of actionable data.
- A ban on further eucalyptus cultivation and a government-led removal program.
- Revival and expansion of Drik Dam and other natural reservoirs.
- A long-term project to lift water from the Jhelum River, which could potentially serve the wider region.
Time is Running Out
Without urgent, coordinated, and science-backed interventions, Rawalakot could become a case study in environmental collapse within mountainous regions of South Asia. This is no longer just a development issue — it’s a matter of human security and survival.
As Pakistan and India continue to lock horns over territorial narratives, citizens in Rawalakot are left abandoned in a battle for basic life essentials — water being foremost. The need of the hour is for neutral, transparent, and inclusive policy responses that prioritize human rights and ecological sustainability over politics and profit.
