The Drying Wells of Azad Kashmir
In the valleys of Azad Kashmir, water scarcity is no longer a distant worry—it’s an unfolding reality. Wells that once flowed freely are now falling silent. Just a few years ago, boreholes reached water at 200 to 250 feet. Today, the same work demands depths of 350 to 400 feet, as groundwater retreats further underground with each passing year.
For families who once relied on local wells and natural springs, the change is devastating. Entire communities now face the harsh truth of depleted aquifers and unreliable water access. In some villages, the sound of a bucket striking the bottom of a dry well is an everyday reminder of how fragile life has become.
The Kashmir Welfare Foundation, which regularly undertakes water projects across Azad Kashmir, has witnessed this change firsthand. Traditional wells, once dug at around 100 feet, now reach depths of 150 feet or more—and still fail to yield enough water to sustain families.
Yet paradoxically, Kashmir has seen more flooding than ever. Sudden downpours, glacial outbursts, and flash floods fill rivers and valleys in violent bursts. So how can a land drowning in floods also be suffering from thirst?
When Water Falls But Does Not Stay
The answer lies beneath our feet—in the soil. Healthy soil is a living sponge. It holds water, nourishes plants, and slowly releases moisture to recharge underground reserves. But over time, Kashmir’s soil has been stripped of its strength. Deforestation, poor land management, and changing rainfall patterns have degraded the land’s natural ability to absorb water.
When rain now falls, it rushes down bare hillsides, carrying away topsoil and leaving little chance for infiltration. The result? Flash floods downstream, parched fields upstream, and groundwater that is never replenished.
This crisis is both human and environmental. Without clean water, families struggle to cook, wash, and farm. Without healthy soil, crops fail and livestock suffer. And without forests, the land loses its ability to heal.
Donate towards Clean Water Projects in Azad Kashmir
The Consequences of Depleting Water Sources
Water scarcity threatens every part of Kashmir’s natural balance. Agriculture—the backbone of rural life—faces decline as irrigation becomes unreliable. Wells dry up mid-season, and farmers watch helplessly as once-fertile land turns to dust.
The ripple effects reach far beyond the fields. With reduced harvests come lower incomes, food insecurity, and migration pressures. Children walk miles to fetch water from unsafe sources. Women spend hours queuing at shared boreholes. Villages that once thrived around rivers and springs are now fading into silence.
Even the region’s breathtaking landscapes are at risk. Forests weaken, soils erode, and wildlife disappears from dried-up wetlands. Kashmir’s natural identity—its greenery, its streams, its promise of life—is being stripped away.
Recently, one of the Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s water well projects in the Kotli Sohalan Muhajir Camp initially failed because of the area’s lack of water. The team has now relocated the project to ensure its success, but the lesson is clear: unless the land itself is revived, even the most well-planned water projects will struggle to endure.
Read the Updates for this project here.
Restoring Balance: Lakes and Mini-Ponds
There is, however, hope—and it lies in nature itself.
One of the most effective ways to combat water scarcity is to recharge groundwater naturally through small lakes, reservoirs, and mini-ponds. These structures collect rainwater and surface runoff that would otherwise vanish downstream. Over time, this stored water seeps back into the soil, replenishing aquifers and stabilising wells.
Each pond becomes a living reservoir. It sustains livestock, irrigates crops, and cools the surrounding landscape. More importantly, it creates a steady water supply during the dry months when families need it most.
By building ponds and lakes near water wells, Kashmir Welfare Foundation is helping communities regain control over their water future. These projects are part of the wider Green Kashmir Campaign, which combines reforestation with climate-smart water management.
When the earth can breathe again—when it can drink and hold water—it brings life back to the valleys.
Trees: Nature’s Wells of the Future
Water and trees are inseparable. Every forest acts like a water filter, slowing down rainfall, binding the soil, and allowing water to seep gradually into underground reserves. Without trees, rain becomes runoff. With trees, rain becomes life.
That is why the Kashmir Welfare Foundation aims to plant one million trees by 2030 under its Green Kashmir Campaign. These trees are more than just a symbol of hope—they are tools of survival.
When planted near ponds, lakes, and wells, trees stabilise the landscape, reduce erosion, and boost the natural recharge of groundwater. Their roots strengthen the soil’s grip, while their shade prevents excessive evaporation.
Native species such as pine, walnut, and poplar thrive in Kashmir’s diverse terrain and form ecosystems that support both people and wildlife. Over time, these trees will cool the land, restore biodiversity, and provide long-term resilience against drought and floods alike.
Each sapling represents a promise—to future generations and to the land itself—that Kashmir’s beauty and bounty will not fade away.
Why This Work Matters
Azad Kashmir stands at a crossroads. One path leads toward degradation: empty wells, cracked soil, and the slow decline of its natural wealth. The other path leads toward restoration—toward a future where every community has access to clean water, thriving trees, and sustainable livelihoods.
This is not just an environmental issue. It is a humanitarian one. Clean water means dignity, health, and security. When water is restored, children go to school instead of carrying buckets. Women reclaim their time and safety. Farmers rebuild their hope.
Through the Green Kashmir Campaign, every donation helps build that future—one pond, one well, and one tree at a time.
Your contribution can help a family regain access to clean water. It can plant a tree that will stand for generations. It can refill the wells of hope in the valleys of Kashmir.
How You Can Help
Kashmir’s environment is changing fast, but together we can change its story.
Support the Green Kashmir Campaign to help build ponds, restore water wells, and plant trees across Azad Kashmir. Your donation will go directly toward practical, lasting projects that recharge groundwater and fight climate change.
If you wish to give continuously, you can also make a monthly contribution through Regular Giving.
And for those seeking spiritual reward, donating Sadaqah towards climate resilience and reforestation is a powerful act of ongoing charity—one that benefits both people and planet.
Together, we can rebuild Kashmir’s water future, protect its beauty, and ensure that no family faces thirst again.
Green Kashmir FAQ
1. Why is Azad Kashmir facing water scarcity?
Due to deforestation, soil degradation, and irregular rainfall, rainwater is no longer absorbed into the ground effectively. As a result, groundwater levels have fallen dramatically, forcing deeper drilling for wells.
2. What is the Kashmir Welfare Foundation doing to address this?
The Foundation is building ponds and mini-lakes to recharge groundwater, planting trees through the Green Kashmir Campaign, and funding sustainable water well projects across Azad Kashmir.
3. How do ponds and lakes help recharge groundwater?
These natural reservoirs collect rainwater and allow it to slowly seep into the earth. This process replenishes wells, stabilises water tables, and reduces the risk of flash floods.
4. Can tree planting really improve water availability?
Yes. Trees slow down water flow, improve soil absorption, and reduce erosion. Over time, forests act like natural filters that feed underground aquifers.
5. How can I contribute to these projects?
You can donate directly to the Green Kashmir Campaign or support the Foundation through Sadaqah and Regular Giving. Every contribution helps build sustainable, climate-resilient communities.
