Sajid Raina
Bandipora, May 4: Signifying failure of authorities in northern district of Bandipora to put in place effective measures for solid waste management, after Zalwan, now an another Shore of famous wullar-Lake and a beautiful spot in Nadihal area along the Bandipora-Srinagar road is fast turning into a dumping site.
A visit to the dumping spot which is right on the shore of the Wullar at Nadihal shows that tons of stinking garbage has been dumped at the spot causing inconvenience to pedestrians. “The problem is compounded by presence of stray dogs who rummage through the accumulated garbage,” a local present at the spot said.
“Stray dogs present at the garbage dump pose risk to pedestrians. Many persons have been bitten by the canines at the spot in the recent past,” said Muhammad Ramzan, a local.
“We used to have boats there after returning from Wullar during daily work a couple of years ago but now it’s condition is getting worse and worse day by day. Dirt has spread everywhere but people are also responsible for it, ” he said. Another thing is that it is located on the highway of Bandipora-Srinagar, he added.
Besides garbage, dead animals are being brought here by people due to which the condition of this place has deteriorated further, Ramzan added.
Saleem Dar, another local said that he had raised this issue many times and also informed the government but no steps are being taken by the government.
He said that the government is spending a lot of money to clean this lake and on the other hand people are polluting it again.
“Heaps of waste lying at the site becomes a danger when water dissolves toxic waste materials and contaminates it. The waste needs to be scientifically treated,” he added.
A group of locals blamed the general public and said they are the culprits of this filth. When a local person will not protect the Wullar Lake, who else can then?, they said.
They said that the administration should impose fines on those who spread this filth here due to which this Lake becomes more and more toxic each passing day.
A senior official said that he will look into the matter and take stern action against those found involved in this action.
As already reported multiple times the Municipal Council Bandipora dumps all the municipal solid waste collected from the town on the banks of Wullar lake at Zalwan Nusoou.
Earlier, last month J&K Pollution Control Board (PCB) imposed penalty of Rs 64 lakh on Municipal Committee Banipora for violating Solid Waste Management Rules.
