Veshaw embankments turn into dumping site

Kulgam, Mar 27: Veshaw River, a major tributary of River Jhelum has been turned into a dumping site in Khudwani area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam causing immense damage to the water body in particular and to the environment in general.
Locals alleged that shopkeepers and vendors are openly dumping waste and garbage near the banks of river Veshaw in Khudwani.
“Dogs are always seen in many areas as they keep searching for food in these dumping spots, posing a threat to locals particularly students,” locals said.
Ali Mohammad Shah, a local, said years ago Veshaw gushed with fresh water and people would use it for drinking purposes. People would take a bath in it, now you can yourself see that it has been reduced to a mere cesspool.
He said there is no mechanism to dump the solid waste. “People throw all the garbage including polythene, plastic into the river,” he added.
Block Development Officer (BDO), Qaimoh Mohammad Arif said that they are regularly clearing the garbage in the area but unfortunately the people are putting the waste again and again.
“There is no land available for solid waste management shed in the area because locals are not co-operating, hopefully the issue will be redressed soon,” he said. (KNO)