Shiva’s tears dry up

Owing to selfish activities by industrialists of factories surrounding Katas Raj Temple, the Katas Pond is drying up and along with it, centuries-old history. Hindu mythology gave life to the pond, narrating that it was created with Shiva’s tears when he lost his wife Sati. Now, however, Shiva’s tears have been redirected into wells built by nearby factories, depleting the reservoirs of nearby dwellers. At risk is the loss of the beauty of another heritage site. Furthermore, it is a disrespect to the Hindu community as the pond water has sacred value as part of Hindu rituals. This is a case of asinine planning, poor foresight, and selfish greed by government officials and greedy industrialists.

It is hoped that the Supreme Court’s summoning of who allowed factories surrounding Katas Raj to increase production will bear fruit. Although the court has decided not to take action against specific entities, future projects built around heritage sites must keep the situation at Katas Raj in view. The chief minister’s ban on the establishment of new factories is appreciated, though admittedly, it was poor foresight to have allowed the factories to be constructed and then continue operations in the first place. The permission to suddenly increase production ten-fold at one particular factory was outrageous. Regardless of lacking regulations on the usage of subsoil water for industrial use, better sense should have prevailed keeping in consideration the needs of nearby residents. While the whole world moves towards greener practices, we are regressing by felling trees and removing subsidies on green technology to discourage their adoption, despite a strain on the country’s energy resources. Going forward, factories near heritage sites should be kept under heavy check with strict caps on production and resource use. If thresholds are exceeded, consequences should be dealt in the way of heavy fines and initiatives to reverse the damage caused, such as the planting of trees.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2017.

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