Srinagar, Feb. 1 -- The recent revelation that spring water in Kashmir's Ganderbal district and rural Srinagar contains harmful bacteria is alarming. The authorities' advisory urging people to refrain from directly consuming water from 37 affected sources underscores the severity of the situation. Given that many households, particularly in rural areas, depend on natural springs as their primary source of drinking water, this contamination poses a serious public health threat. For centuries, our pristine water bodies have been regarded as safe for consumption, with locals relying on them for their daily needs. However, with growing environmental degradation, unregulated human activity, and the impact of climate change, even these once-tru...