Pulwama residents seek action against garbage dumping in Rambiara stream

Pulwama, Oct 06: Concerns have been raised by local residents from Patipora, Achan, Panjran, Sugan, Heff and surrounding areas in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district over the increasing garbage accumulation on one bank of Rambiara.
Rambiara is a pristine water stream and one of the important tributaries of the Jhelum River, originating in the Pir Panjal Range. It flows through Shopian, parts of Pulwama, and Anantnag districts before joining the Jhelum.
Arshid Ahmad Ganie, a local resident, pointed out that years of haphazard mining in the Lassipora area have resulted in deep trenches in the otherwise pristine Rambiara stream.
He raised concerns about the Industrial Growth Centre in Lassipora utilising one bank of the Rambiara rivulet as a dumping ground for waste and garbage generated by various unit holders.
“Approximately a one-kilometre stretch of the stream along the industrial growth centre has been turned into a dumping yard for garbage. This hazardous practice allows harmful effluents to flow into the water, transforming it into a breeding ground for waterborne diseases,” Arshid said.
The residents have called upon the authorities to take stringent action against those responsible for polluting Rambiara. They demanded accountability from the unit holders and stressed the need for immediate intervention to preserve the integrity of this vital water body.
Manager of the Industrial Estate, SIDCO, Lassipora, assured that strong legal action will be taken against unit holders found releasing effluents into Rambiara.
“We will warn the unit holders and defaulters will be strictly dealt with according to the law,” he said.