Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Oct 29: River Jhelum has been turned into a waste dump at several places in Bandipora with people dumping huge piles of waste on the embankments or throwing it into the river.
The Jhelum, which originates in south Kashmir and traverses through Srinagar before Wullar plays a major role in the socio-economic scenario of Kashmir.
The fast deteriorating condition of the river at Sumbal and Hajin in Bandipora district is mainly attributed to the dumping of tonnes of garbage on its banks or close to it.
Locals said that people show no concern towards the environment while dumping garbage in the river at several spots between Sumbal and Hajin.
The garbage throwing practice is not only posing a threat to the river but the stink from the garbage also agonies the people, travelling on the busy road on a regular basis, they said.
Faheem Ahmad, a local, said that the officials should take stern action against such miscreants at the earliest. “In absence of the dumping site, the garbage waste is often dumped at different unauthorised sites,” he added.
Shopkeepers at Sumbal said that urgent action needs to be taken to clear waste from embankments along the river. “Else it poses a serious health hazard for the people residing in the area of the river. If you look at the river from Sumbal to Hajin, you will see garbage on its banks. This is unfortunate,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a shopkeeper.
“Unless the people take care of these things themselves, the administration cannot do anything,” opined Ishtiyaq Ahmad, another shopkeeper.
An official said since the issue has come into his notice and action will follow.
