ISLAMABAD: A large number of people from Muzaffarabad and nearby areas on Sunday gathered outside the National Press Club and protested against the unavailability of water and the severe damage caused to the ecosystem due to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project.

The protest was organised by the Jammu Kashmir Awami Workers Party (JKAWP).

The protesters said the main crisis is a catastrophic reduction of water in the Neelum River flowing through Muzaffarabad city.

They said the Neelum River has almost dried up from Nosari to Muzaffarabad after the inauguration of the project, due to the diversion of 90pc of the river`s water to the tunnel from Nosari.

`The project was started in 2008 and a 30-km long tunnel was constructed from Nosari to Chattar.

According to international laws, 80pc of a river`s water is to be allowed to flow downstream but in this case, 90pc of the water is directed into the tunnel due to which 400 natural fountains of the area have dried up and the ecosystem of the area has been destroyed. Locals of the area are facing water scarcity as well, JKAWP Chairperson Nisar Shah told Dawn.`The river has dried up and the lives of humans, animals and underwater species, as well as the biodiversity of the river, has been badly affected and is actually endangered.

`The ecological pattern in the area is changing very quickly. People living in the mountains are facing a serious water crisis, he said.

He said JKAWP and all other political parties of Azad Kashmir are demanding that the people and government of Azad Kashmir should have the power to decide on projects for the development of their natural resources.

He added that all mega projects are being initiated without proper consultation or environmental, social and strategic assessments.

In addition to drawing 90pc of water from the river instead of 20pc, the promise of creating small lakes in the lower basin of the river from Nosari to Muzaffarabad has also not been fulfilled, Mr Shah said.

He added that at present, Azad Kashmir is producing around 2,500 megawatts of electricity when its total consumption is 400MW but the four million people of Azad Kashmir are facing prolonged electricity loadshedding.

He said the people of Azad Kashmir are demanding that the area should be free of loadshedding.