Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog

I launched the website and the Blog after having spoken to government officials, political analysts and security experts specializing in South Asian affairs from three continents. The feedback was uniformly consistent. The bottom line is that when Kashmiris are suffering and the world has its own set of priorities, we need to find ways to help each other. We must be realistic, go beyond polemics and demagoguery, and propose innovative ideas that will bring peace, justice and prosperity in all of Jammu and Kashmir.

The author had two reasons to create this blog. First, it was to address the question that was being asked repeatedly, especially, by journalists and other observers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, inquiring whether the Kashmiri society was concerned about social, cultural and environmental challenges in the valley given that only political upheaval and violence were reported or highlighted by media.

Second, the author has covered the entire spectrum of societal issues and challenges facing Kashmiri people over an 8-year period with the exception of politics given that politics gets all the exposure at the expense of REAL CHALLENGES that will likely result in irreversible degradation in the quality of life and the standard of living for future generations of Kashmiris to come.

The author stopped adding additional material to the Blog once it was felt that most, if not all, concerns, challenges and issues facing the Kashmiri society are cataloged in the Blog. There are over 1900 entries in the Blog and most commentaries include short biographical sketches of authors to bring readers close to the essence of Kashmir. Unfortunately, the 8-year assessment also indicates that neither Kashmiri civil society, nor intellectuals or political leadership have any inclination or enthusiasm in pursuing issues that do not coincide with their vested political agendas. What it means for the future of Kashmiri children and their children is unfathomable. But the evidence is all laid out.

This Blog is a reality check on Kashmir. It is a historical record of how Kashmir lost its way.

Vijay Sazawal, Ph.D.
www.kashmirforum.org

Friday, June 6, 2008

Kashmir Celebrates the World Environmental Week by a General Confession that its Citizens are too Greedy to Care for the Environment

While the Chief Minister admits defeat on saving the Dal Lake, other Lakes are faring no better. Two reports from the Greater Kashmir

Azad: Dal has Become Money-Minting Machine for Politicians

Srinagar: Chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said his government had done nothing for the preservation of Dal Lake.

“If I look back at my tenure as chief minister for past three years, I will have to cut a sorry figure because we have not been able to do anything for the protection and preservation of Dal Lake,” Azad said addressing a seminar ‘climate changes: causes, consequences and control’ on the inaugural function of World Environment Week celebrations organized by Kashmir University here.

Azad said Dal has been turned into a dustbin and forests are crying for protection.

He said the Dal has become money-minting machine for politicians and they would never want it should be cleared. “If Dal is restored to its past glory, government of India will stop sanctioning money for its restoration and preservation and those politicians don’t want it,” Azad said.

He blamed everybody from a politician to a layman for the degradation of environment in the Valley. “We have all played a criminal role to destroy the environment of the Kashmir. It is shame for us that matters related to the preservation of the environment have always been ignored by the governments,” Azad said.

Without naming anybody, Azad said there are some “mighty and big people” who have vandalized the forests in the Kashmir and were responsible for degradation of the environment.

Azad said climatic changes are nowadays evident in Kashmir and depletion of the forest has further compounded the situation. “I can’t say to what extent nature is responsible for the degradation of environment in Kashmir but we have been criminals as far as our role is concerned,” Azad said.

Azad assured the varsity authorities that he would take the matter of allotting the Institute of Aquatic Research to the University with Union ministry. The varsity officials had earlier appealed Azad to intervene in the matter. “I will appeal the Union minister for Science and Technology, Kapil Sibil, to visit Kashmir and we can also take the issue of Aquatic Institute with him,” Azad said.

Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the function, Azad said government was seeking to bring legislation banning the production and import of polythene in Kashmir.

Earlier, Azad launched the Nature Club- an eco-friends club of varsity for preservation of environment.

After Dal, Khushalsar and Gilsar battle for survival

Srinagar: While the successive regimes acted as mute spectators to the inflow of sewage and encroachment of the once sparkling Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes in Sher-e-Khas, the water-bodies have turned into cesspools.

Known for pristine waters a few decades ago, Khushalsar and Gilsar were a favorite fishing resort of tourists and locals. The waters of Dal smoothly flowed into the water bodies through the Nallah Amir Khan and merged with Jhelum via Wular.

The lakes used to support many species of fish and large strands of reeds, aquatic weeds, Nadru plantations, which were exploited by fishermen and local inhabitants for commercial purposes. The small swaps in the lakes were thronged by different species of migratory birds, attracting large number of tourists and researchers. Gradually due to the unchecked encroachments, growth of obnoxious vegetation propelled by sewage of the catchments, its waters have become stagnant and stinking.

The pollution levels in Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes have reached to such an alarming level that experts have declared its waters, fish, Nadru and other products harmful for human consumption.

The water purity deterioration and weed infestation have posed number of problems to the lake dwellers, particularly fishermen. Most of them suffer from waterborne diseases like Pyrexia, Amoebiasis, Hepatitis and gastrointestinal problems besides skin diseases.

“A few decades ago, I used to catch 10-15 kilograms of fish from the lakes. Now I only get a few kilograms of fish and most of them are dead. These sparkling lakes have become poison ponds due to sewage,” said an aged fisherman, Abdul Ahad.

An unending stretch of garbage, including polythene lies scattered in Khushalsar near Gill Kadal. The locals accuse the people from adjoining areas of dumping the large chunk of leftover food and garbage in the lake.

“The waters of Khushalsar and Gilsar were so clean that we used to drink it. We also organized swimming competitions in the lakes. But in absence of any conservation measure it has been reduced to a septic tank. With the rise in temperature, the water bodies emanate pungent smell. This has made our lives miserable,” said Ali Muhammad Magray, a local. The locals said some farmers with the backing of a former minister have bifurcated the lake by a bund. “The bund has been made to stop flow of garbage and polluted waters into other parts of Khushalsar which have been encroached for Nadru cultivation.

We had apprised the authorities about the matter but they did not take any action for obvious reasons,” the locals said. Last year the people had protested when some persons started construction of houses on the banks of Gilsar. “But there was nobody to listen. The influential people greased the palms of the officers and constructed bungalows on springs. The lake has been encroached and exploited before the eyes of the government,” Ghulam Ahmad a local said.

Major threat to the lakes is the sewage of Bota Kadal, Vicharnag, Gasiyar , Sangam Darwaza, Wantpora and Kawdara. It is estimated that 465 million litres of waste water enters the twin lakes carrying two metric tons of Nitrogen and 1.7 metric tons of phosphorous per day. Studies have shown that the chemical parameters of lakes have increased alarmingly beyond permissible levels. The tremendous increase in Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Nitrogen-Nitrate and Phosphates, iron and depletion of oxygen content have rendered the waters of the lakes unfit for drinking.

“The lakes are ecologically exposed to cultural Euthrophication. Massive construction of houses and flow of their sewage into the lake over the years has caused a serious ecological threat. All its products like Nadru are harmful for human consumption. If proper conservation measures are not taken on war-footing, the lakes will vanish,” environmentalists said.

In 2002, the government had formulated a comprehensive plan of Rs.61 crores for preservation of Khushalsar. The plan had been approved by the Central Government and submitted to the Asian Development Bank for funding.

The plan envisaged to protect and develop the lake by removal of encroachment by way of earth filling, illegal plantations and constructions. Besides their demarcation and fencing, it was decided to deploy Forest Protection Force personnel to keep strict vigil in Khushalsar to stop further encroachment. But the plan is yet to be implemented.
Minister for forests, Qazi Muhammad Afzal, told Greater Kashmir that priority of the government was to save the Dal lake. “We can’t save all the lakes overnight. The deterioration of the lakes took decades and it will take us at least a few years for their restoration,” Afzal said.

1 comment:

magray said...

MAGRAY A MARTIAL & A WARRIOR KASHMIRI TRIBE:
Also known and spelled as MAGRI, MAGRE & MAGREY. But the correct spelling is MAGRAY. Pleural of MAGRAY is MAGRES.
Magray is a Martial Kashmiri tribe of Rajput origin. Magray sprung from Kashtri-un-Nassal Rajput. Kashtri-un-Nassal Rajput are one of the four classes of Hindus. Kashtri were people of ruling class having responsibility for the defence of the state. Ladhay Magray was the forefather of Magray tribe. Magres accepted Islam at the hand of Syed Ali Hamdani in thirteenth Century. The first person who entered in Kashmir and settled there belonged to Magray tribe thus making Magray tribe, the founders of Kashmir. Magray tribe ruled over Kashmir for seven hundred years. They invited Mughals to enter Kashmir in order to end disturbances in the valley. However, subsequently Mughals were defeated and pushed back by the Magray tribe. Magray tribe is settled all over the world with majority in Kashmir Valley. In spite of being SARDARS of the time, people of Magray tribe felt proud to be called as MAGRAY.
VILLAGES & TOWNS IN KASHMIR NAMED MAGRAY:
1. Magray Village - District Bagh
2. Magray City - Kuttan, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad
3. Magray Hills - Kanchikot, Rawalakot
4. Magray Abad - Rawalakot
5. Magray Gali - Lipa Valley, Muzaffarabad
6. Magray Abad - Attmaqam,Kel road,Neelum Valley
7. Magray Village - Motarin, khaigala, Rawalakot
8. Kharl Magrayan - District Bagh
9. Sardari Magrayan - Neelum Valley Muzaffarabad
10. Magray village marchkot - Abbaspur
11. Bandian Magray - Abbaspur
MEANINGS OF MAGRAY:
Magray is an ancient word, Magray means, "The Martials", "The Warriors", "Military and war like people". Magray is also spelled as Magrey, Magre and Magri, but the correct spelling is Magray. The plural of Magray is Magres.
HISTORRICAL BOOKS ON MAGRAY TRIBE:
All the historical books on Kashmir contain material on Magray tribe and their role in the history of Kashmir. Few of the historical Books are mentioned here for reference.
1. Magray in the Eyes of History - By Sajid Latif Magray
2. Magray A Warrior Kashmiri Tribe - By Abdul Qayyum
3. Valley of Kashmir - By Sir Walter Lirance
4. Imperial Gazettier of India - Govt of India
5. Tribes and Castes of Kashmir - By Muhammad Din Folk
6 .Castes and Tribes of Poonch - By Muhammad Din Folk
7. History of Kasmir - - By Khawaja Azamey
8. History of Kashmir - By Muhammad Hassan
9. History Kabeer Kashmir - By Haji M.Mohiudin
10.Raj Tarangi - By Pandit Kahlan
11. Tareekh-e-Kashmir - By Professors Nazir Ahmed Tashna
12. Kashmir in the Era of Muslim empires - By Ghulam Hassan Khoyami
13. Tareekh-e- Malkan - By Dr Sadiq Malik
14. Jalwa-e-Kashmir - By Dr Sabir Afaqi
15 Baharistan-e-Shahi - A Chronocle Mediaeval of Kashmir
16. Magray- The Martials and Warriors of Kashmir - By Sajiad Latif Magray
17. Tareekh-e-Kashmir,Islamia - By Dr Sabir Afaqi
18. Tareekh-e-Azmi - By M.Azam
19. Tribal geography of India Jamu and Kashmir - By M. Bashir Magray
20. A New History of India and Pakistan - By Quyyam Abdul

MAGRAY VILLAGES IN KASHMIR:

1.MAGRAY VILLAGE MOTARIN, RAWALKOT:This is a village comprising of about 400 houses, exclusively of the Magray Tribe. Road leading from Rawalkot to Tatrinote crossing point passes from this village. Few personalities of the village are:-
a. Muhammad Din Magray
b. Subedar Muhammad Latif Magray
c. Sajjad Latif Magray
d. Rasheed Magray
e. Yaqoob Magray
f. Manzoor Magray
g. Sadique Magray
h. Dilpazir Magray
i. Muhammad Aamir Magray
j. Bashir Magray
k. Qayyum Magray
l. Yaseen Magray
m. Imran Yaseen margay
n. Shafi Magray
o. Akram Magray
p. Rafique Magray
q. Sajjad Magray
r. Muhammad Javed Magray
s. Kabir Magray
t. Kamran Magray
2.MAGRAY HILLS KANCHIKOT:This is a big village which starts from the Magray Market on Ali Sajad Road and goes to the top of Tolipeer, a prominent Hill top of Kashmir. Few personalities of the Magray Hills are:-
a. Haji Aqal Hussain Magray
b. Tariq Magray
c. Ghulam Nabi Magray
d. Gulzar Magray
e. Havildar Yaseen margay
f. Subedar Rafique Magray
g. Hanif Magray
h. Havildar Azam Magray
i. Muhammad Ashraf Magray
j. Kala Khan Magray
k. Hakim din Magray
l. Capt Yaqoob Magray
m. Asghar Magray
n. Sadique Magray
o. Haji Abdullah Magr
3.MAGRAY ABAD RAWALAKOT:This is a small town in Rawalakot valley on Banjora Road in Barmang. Few of the personalities of the area are:-
a. Abdul Majeed Magray
b. Muhammad Arif Magray
c. Muhammad Razaque Magray
d. Muhammad Imtiaz Magray
e. Muhammad javed Magray
f. Muhammad Shoukat Magray
g. Muhammad Riaz Magray
h. Muhammad Ishaque Magray
i. Muhammad Shakeel Magray
j. Muhammad Jahangir Magray
k. Muhammad Khurshid Magray
l. Muhammad yaseen Magray
4.MAGRAY VILLAGE BAGH:
This village start from Magray city Lower Bela and extends tol the prominent Hill top of Kashmir Lasdana. This village comprises of 600 houses 100% of the Magray tribe people. Few personalities of the Magrtay village are:-
a. Dr Mir Akbar Magray
b. Gohar Magray
c. Abdul Hameed Magray
d. Fazal Gohar Magray
e. Aslam Magray
f. Hayat margay
g. Liaqat Ali Magray
h. Ghulam Nabi
i. Wali Noor Magray
j. Sakhi Muhammad Magray
k. Haseeb Magray
5.KHARL MAGRAYAN:
It is a small area in District Bagh, people of Magray tribe are settled here. Few personalities of the area are:-
a. Muhammad Ashraf Magray
b. Muhammad Farooq Magray
c. Abdul Hameed Magray
d. Gulfraz Magray
e. Akram Magray
f. Haji Hakeek Magray
g. Muhammad Khurshid Magray
h. Fazal Hussain Magray
i. Shakeel Ahmed Magray
6.MAGRAY GALI LIPA:
A prominent Hilltop of Kashmir in Lipa valley. Few personalities of the area are lmentioned here:-
a. Capt Ghulam Hussain Magray
b. Ghulam Rasool Magray
c. Pervaiz Magray
d. Prof Kosar Magray
7.
Few notables of the area are:-
a. Mangta Magray
b. Shahzaman Magray
c. Arshad Magray
d. Shahzaman Magray
e. Ali Akbar Magray
f. Asad Magray
g. Matloob Magray
h. Attique Magray
i. Oamer Zaman Magray
j. Amjid Magray
8.MAGRAY ABAD ATHMAQAM:
A SMALL TOWN IN Neelum valley on Kel Road near Athmaqam. Few personalities of the area are:-
a. Muhammad Mustafa Magray
b. Muhammad Khurshid Magray
c. Muhammad Subhan Magray
d. Shakeel Magray
e. Ashraf Magray
f. Mushtaq Magray
g. Ghulam Hussain Magray
h. Abid Magray
9.SARDARI MAGRAYAN – REMOTE AREA OF NEELUM VALLEY:
10.MAGRAY VILLAGE MARCHKOT:
This is the larges village of Abbaspur town comprising of more than 1000 houses exclusively of the Magray Tibe. Few personalities of the village are:-
a. Sher Akbar Magray
b. Havildar Karim Magray
c. Muhammad Sharif Magray
d. Muhammad Afsar Magray
e. Muhammad Rasheed Magray
f. Manzoor Magray
g. Muhammad Rafique Magray
h. Muhammad Raheem Magray
i. Saleem Magray
j. Ali Akbar Magray
k. Muhammad Azeem Magray
l. Muhammad Yaqoob Magray
m. Mubashar Salam Din Magray
n. Sadique Magray
o. Hameed Magray
p. Kutab Dinb Magray
11.BANDIAN MAGRAY:This is a remote village of Abbaspur town comprising of more than 500 houses entirely of the Magray tribe. Few personalities of Bandian Magray are:-
a. Muhammad Arif Magray
b. Mir Akbar Magray
c. Muhammad Bashir Magray
d. Muhammad Ashraf Magray
e. Muhammad Nazir Magray
f. Sakhi Muhammad Magray
g. Jalal Din Magray
h. Muhammad Saddique Magray
i. Shoukat Magray
j. Rasheed Magray
HISTORY OF MAGRAY TRIBE
TWO BOOKS “MAGRAY THE MARTIALS AND WARRIORS OF KASHMIR”AND “MAGRAY IN THE EYES OF HISTORY”HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY SAJJAD LATIF MAGRAY .LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THESE BOOKS WAS HELD ON 1st FEB 08 AT PRESS CLUB RAWALPINDI AND WAS ATTENDED BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF AJ&K AND HIS CABINET MEMBERS.TITLE OF BOOKS ARE WRITTEN BY THE FOL KNOWN SCHALOURS AND HISTORIANS OF THE COUNTRY.
1.DR. M. ASHRAF QURESHI – CHAIRMAN DEPTT OF KASHMIRIYAT PUNJAB UNIVERISTY LAHORE.
2.DR.SABIR AFAQI – AUTHOR & HISTORIAN
3.DR.M.SADIQ MALIK -AUTHOR & HISTORIAN
ORGANIZATIONS OF MAGRAY TRIB:
1 MAGRAY SUPREME COUNCIL: IS THE
SUPREME BODY OF MAGRAY TRIBE,
EMPOWERED TO TAKE ALL SORT OF POLITICAL AND SOCIO ECONOMICAL DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MAGRAY TRIBE.
2. MAGRAY EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY (REGD): PROMOTES EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE TRIBE AND EVEN OUTSIDE THE MAGRAY TRIBE.
3. MAGRAY TANZEEM (REGD): WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM AND ORGANIZE THE MAGRAY TRIBE.
4. MAGRAY WELFARE TRUST: LOOKS AFTER THE ILL, POOR AND NEEDY PEOPLE OF THE KASHMIR IN PARTICULAR AND PAKISTAN IN GENERAL.