Bhatkal: The 'Jamboor Mutt Pond', an ancient water source providing clean drinking and consumption water to various Bhatkal regions including Asarkeri, Sonarkeri, Bunder Road, Daranta, and Donger Palli, faces diminishing water levels due to the unchecked accumulation of garbage and silt. This neglect has gradually transformed a once thriving water reservoir into a fading memory.

Locally known as Zamarmatta in Nawayath, the pond's origins trace back to the era of Jain rule over Bhatkal. Second only to the Kokti pond in size, it boasted a year-round natural water storage capability. Remarkably, even during the peak heat of May, the pond maintained a water depth of six to seven feet, facilitating agriculture in nearby areas and replenishing underground springs critical for residential wells.

This natural reservoir effectively met the clean water needs of a substantial area and played a crucial role in maintaining the groundwater level, ensuring that the surrounding regions never experienced water scarcity. However, the gradual accumulation of debris and mud over the years has led to a significant reduction in the water level, exacerbating the city's water shortage problem. Despite this, efforts to address the issue have primarily focused on artificial water sources, with little to no attention given to reviving this natural water storage system through cleaning, desilting, and restoration.

Residents advocate for a comprehensive clean-up of the pond, suggesting that removing garbage, increasing the depth, and fencing the perimeter could breathe new life into this vital water source. Such measures, they argue, would not only revive the pond but also re-establish a natural supply of clean water over a wide area.

The community calls on the Bhatkal Town Municipal Council, its councillors, and officials to prioritize the inspection and restoration of the Jamboor Mutt Pond. They believe that reinstating the pond to its former glory could facilitate tap water distribution to the surrounding areas, thereby alleviating the pressure on the Kadavinakatta Dam, the city's current primary water supply.

نئی زندگی چاہتا ہے بھٹکل کا صدیوں پرانا  'جمبور مٹھ تالاب'