Impact of climate change: Decrease in water crisis in Nandhiyar River threatens fish industry, land fertility

BATTAGRAM: The rapid decrease in water levels in Nandhiyar River due to climate change is posing a serious threat to the region’s fishing industry, agriculture and overall land fertility.

Experts warn that if this trend continues, fish populations will decline further, crops will be damaged, and large areas of land may become barren. “The early melting of snow and unpredictable rainfall have led to irregular water flows in our rivers. This is not only disrupting aquatic ecosystems but also reducing the availability of water for irrigation, which will have long-term consequences for farmers,” said Hasnain Khan, a local environmentalist.

Sardar Khan, a fisherman in Battagram Bazaar, described how the changing water levels were affecting his livelihood. “The fish catch has decreased drastically. Earlier, we used to get a good number of fish, but now, due to low water levels, fish breeding is being disturbed. Many fishermen are struggling to make ends meet,” he added.

Gulfam Sabir, a social activist from Battagram, raised concerns about the ongoing water shortage. “Nandhiyar Khwar, which was once a thriving river for fishing, is now facing a serious water crisis. The reduced flow is not only affecting fish populations but also the communities that rely on fishing and farming for their income. If we do not address this, the agricultural land in the area will turn barren,” he maintained.

Sarfaraz, a resident of Ajmera, said that the water levels in Nandhiyar Khwar had dropped significantly, and as a result, the fish were not growing properly. “Climate change has made the situation worse, and if this continues, we may lose many local fish species. Additionally, the reduced water flow is impacting the fertility of agricultural land, leading to lower crop yields,” he added.

Gulfaraz Khan, a local farmer, expressed his concerns over the deteriorating conditions for agriculture. “Without enough water, our fields are drying up. The wheat and maize crops are already suffering. If the river levels continue to drop, we will face severe food shortages in the coming years.”

Shabbir Hussain, another farmer, emphasised the long-term impact on soil fertility. He said, “The lack of water is turning once-productive land barren. We are trying to use alternate irrigation methods, but without a stable water supply from the Nandhiyar River, farming is becoming impossible.”

The officials of the Fishery Department in Battagram said that they were monitoring the impact of climate change on local fish populations. “We are aware of the challenges faced by fishermen and farmers due to the decreasing water levels. Efforts are being made to re­gulate water usage and im­­­p­­le­­­­ment conservation pro­grams to protect both the fishing and agriculture industries,” said one of the officials.