Srinagar, Feb 09: Despite ban on use of single-use plastic items, there is no enforcement of the same across many areas in Kashmir as it is used openly and thrown open causing environmental pollution.
Across villages in Kashmir, there are no municipal committees and the Rural Development Department and other agencies are doing the least to enforce the ban on single-use plastic. The waste is being thrown openly at many places near water bodies and green pastures.
The famous water stream Nallah Ningli in Baramulla that flows in Kandi area is losing its sheen as plastic waste and polythene bags filled with domestic waste are thrown openly on its banks at many places.
Ishfaq Ahmad, a resident of Kalantra said the bridge between Kachwamuqam and Kalantra over Nallah Ningli has become a dumping site for domestic waste.
“The waste doesn’t only pollute it but also gives a shabby look to this beautiful water stream. The nallah is being polluted from its source up to its confluence with the river Jhelum. It is a matter of great concern for us as it is a source of drinking water for people and is abode of various species,” he said.
Similarly, many tributaries of Ferozpora Nallah in Pattan and Kunzer areas of Baramulla flow through many villages and are a source of irrigation and drinking for thousands of people.
However, over the years the tributaries have been encroached at many places and domestic waste is openly thrown in the canals which has raised huge public outcry.
Javid Ahmad, a resident of tehsil Pattan expressed his anguish over throwing of waste openly in the green pastures and the tributaries. He said there is no mechanism of waste management in villages.
“All waste, including plastic and polythene, is thrown openly in the irrigation canal which has become a cause of pollution,” he said.
Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Ganderbal said across the tributaries of River Sindh that flows through Ganderbal district and then joins with River Jhelum at Shadipora, many people throw plastic waste into the water body.
“Government should wake up and regulate the same. Local committees should be formed to implement the plastic ban in the area. When plastic and polythene enter the land, it degrades the quality of the fertile soil. During rains the waste enters the agriculture fields when water channels are flooded,” he said.
Notably, as per officials there is no polythene manufacturing unit in Kashmir and all the plastic and polythene is imported outside the valley.
Regional Director, Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board (JKPCB), Rafi Ahmad Bhat said the government has identified many agencies to enforce the ban on single-use plastic.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), SMC Srinagar, Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Committees/Councils in districts are some of the agencies that are doing their job. But despite the ban, polythene and plastic find its way to Kashmir,” he said.
Bhat said in all ten districts, market checking is conducted along with line departments every week on mission mode to seal and fine illegal polythene.
“We have fined in lakhs and also sealed tons of illegal polythene. We are trying to ensure that tourist places remain free from plastic and polythene,” he said.
He said people should also change their attitude. “We have also distributed biodegradable cotton bags at many places including during Annual Amarnath Yatra and at many other tourist places.”
Many industrialists under corporate social responsibility have also made biodegradable cotton bags and distributed them to people and tourists as well.
“A lot has been done but still more needs to be done to overcome the menace of polythene and single-use plastic,” he said.
The Regional Director said in villages a lot has been done under Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin and awareness camps have been held in schools and communities.
“People also have to take social responsibility and help the department. In the past many people have come up and we have revived some water bodies,” he said.
The country imposed a countrywide ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, from July 1, 2022.
