The village of Panzath in Kashmir comes alive each spring with an annual tradition of fishing, cleaning, and celebrating its nearly 500 freshwater springs. This event unites the community in preserving its vital water sources and cultural heritage.
By Rayees Ahmad Kumar
Apart from its charming beauty characterized by lofty, snow-covered mountains, vast green meadows, and perennial freshwater streams, the valley of Kashmir is also renowned for its unique and centuries-old customs and traditions. These cultural practices have been celebrated by its people, transcending religious and sectarian boundaries.
One such remarkable place is the village of Panzath in the Qazigund area, located just three kilometers from the tehsil headquarters. Panzath is not only known for its selfless and kindhearted residents but also for its remarkable abundance of springs. It is said that within a radius of 1.5 kilometers, this village boasts nearly 500 freshwater springs, a feature that gives Panzath its name. These springs provide fresh drinking water, quenching the thirst of the local inhabitants and supplying water to a dozen neighboring villages. This water is essential not only for household consumption but also for irrigating thousands of kanals of agricultural and horticultural land.
The crystal-clear waters of these springs have become a major attraction for the local populace. Every spring season, the community converges at these springs for an annual cleaning event. Through dredging and extracting weeds from these water bodies, the people of Panzath and the surrounding areas strive to maintain these precious resources in their pristine condition, free from pollution.
On this special day, children, youth, and even the elderly engage in fishing activities in the springs. Some return home with dozens of kilograms of fresh fish, while others catch a few kilograms, but no one returns empty-handed on this festive day. Preparations for the event begin weeks in advance, with wicker and withy baskets being crafted and readied to catch trout and other varieties of fish. The youth of the village proudly state that they have inherited this centuries-old tradition from their forefathers, who regarded the cleaning activity as a form of worship.
In the current scenario of climate change, global warming, and other environmental challenges, our planet is facing a tricky situation. The ever-increasing global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at an alarming rate, leading to rising sea levels and a scarcity of fresh drinking water. As a result, future generations are likely to face significant problems, and world leaders are increasingly concerned about the possibility of future conflicts over fresh water resources.
The annual cleaning event in Panzath is more than just a tradition; it is a testament to the community’s dedication to preserving their natural resources in the face of global environmental challenges.
From this perspective, it is imperative to conserve all water bodies, particularly those providing fresh and clean water. We must draw inspiration from the people of Panzath, whose untiring efforts have even been acclaimed by the Honourable Prime Minister of our nation in his popular “Mann Ki Baat” radio program. Their dedication to conserving this heritage water body, while keeping the custom of fishing alive on this special day, is truly commendable.
On this annual occasion, the people of Panzath invite close relatives and daughters married outside the village, preparing popular dishes to welcome them. This event has evolved into more than just a custom or tradition; it has become a significant socio-religious and cultural event, fostering a grand get-together. During this time, they also perform the solemn duty of offering special prayers for their deceased relatives. In the graveyards, they scatter rose and other floral petals over the graves and distribute handmade chapatis to the needy. Locally, this custom is called “Rohan Posh,” a centuries-old practice observed throughout the valley.
Few days back, as the fishing festival was celebrated, enthusiastic children, youth, and elderly alike were overjoyed to participate in the custom. They proudly displayed their catches in wicker baskets and some used traditional nets. Speaking to various media persons, the villagers, especially the youth, vowed to keep the tradition alive and pass it on to future generations.
In contemporary times, when people across the globe are anxiously craving every drop of fresh water, the residents of Panzath deserve all applause for voluntarily initiating the cleanliness drive of their freshwater springs. This initiative not only secures their primary source of drinking water but also helps irrigate thousands of kanals of agricultural and horticultural lands.
Their efforts serve as a beacon of hope and a model for others to follow, emphasizing the importance of community-driven conservation practices. By maintaining these traditions and caring for their natural resources, the people of Panzath highlight the profound connection between cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this Magazine. The author can be reached at [email protected]
Blurb
On this annual occasion, the people of Panzath invite close relatives and daughters married outside the village, preparing popular dishes to welcome them. This event has evolved into more than just a custom or tradition; it has become a significant socio-religious and cultural event, fostering a grand get-together.
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