Nala Palkhu
Nala Palkhu is a stream in Punjab, Pakistan. It originates near saidpur Town of Bajwat area from Tawi River, the major left bank tributary of Chenab River. In addition, many small streams at the foothills of Great Himalayas join to form a main stream of Nala Aik in the South of Jammu and South-East of Sialkot regions. Another stream from Nala Aik joins Palkhu in the Indian territory before Pakistani border. Then Nala Palkhu flows parallel to Chenab River and across its flow, it passes North of two important cities of Punjab, Pakistan i.e. Sialkot and Wazirabad. About one Kilometer east of Wazirabad city, Nala Aik and Palkhu join near locally famous "Lado Ki Pulli" i.e. a small bridge on Aik Stream. Onward from the joining point, this stream is called Nala Palkhu and it forms the northern boundary of Wazirabad city. Nala Palkhu crosses Grand Trunk Road at nothern edge of Wazirabad city and flows parallel to Chenab River until it empties into the Chenab River at Head Khanki.
Brief History Regarding Palkhu Nala
The Palkhu Nala that passes through Sialkot and Wazirabad had a role in the development of Sialkot Cantonment and Wazirabad City. In Sialkot, this stream flows across Dalowali area which has played a strategic role in the development of the Sialkot Cantonment. "After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the British officers were appointed in Sialkot. Sialkot was annexed by the British after the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849. The British laid the foundation of the Sialkot Cantonment in 1849 which was completed in 1852. For establishing the Sialkot Cantonment, the British Commander-in-Chief, Sir Lord Napier, surveyed and selected the area between the seasonal streams, Bher Nala and Palkhu Nala, from the point of view of defence." "The congenial climate and prospects of meeting military requisites, close proximity to the Jammu and Kashmir state, led to the genesis of Sialkot Cantt. The Sialkot Cantonment is primarily flanked by two rivulets called nullas in vernacular i.e. nullah “Palkhu” towards the north and nullah “Bhed” towards the south." The seasonal stream upon leaving Sialkot at the south continues its journey through the city of Wazirabad. In 1636 CE Wazir Hakim Illmmudiddin, an amir of Shah Jahan constructed the first ever residential building of Wazirabad namely Musaman Burj on the bank of Palkhu Nala.
Irrigation Uses and Environmental Issues
Nala Palkhu is used for irrigation purposes throughout it's flow path. About one kilometer east of Wazirabad, Sialkot city's sewerage contaminated Nala Aik joins it and makes this stream contaminated too. Onwards, most of the Wazirabad city's sewerage also goes to this stream and makes this beautiful stream ugly near wazirabad city area.