Baramulla, July 27: In a strong display of community spirit and care for the environment, residents of Yadipora village in Palhallan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have taken it upon themselves to clean traditional irrigation canals every Sunday without any help from the government.
Armed with shovels, baskets, and sheer will, dozens of villagers gather weekly to clean the Kuls, old canals that once played a vital role in farming and water supply. These water channels had remained choked for years due to silt, garbage, and plastic waste.
“This is our own effort. We don’t wait for the government. Every Sunday, we gather and do the work ourselves,” said Farooq Ahmad Lone, Vice President of the Village Development Committee Yadipora. “These canals are our lifeline, and cleaning them is our duty.”
Locals said the blocked canals had led to waterlogging in the village and damaged their fields. But instead of filing complaints or staging protests, they chose action.
Shoaib Yattoo, a member of the Village Development Committee, said the weekly campaign has now become a habit for many villagers.
“People have started taking pride in this work. Even children join us sometimes. We want to build a clean and green Yadipora,” he said.
The residents said that their cleaning drive is not just about removing dirt, but also about setting an example for others.
“We are showing that a village can solve its problems together, without depending on officials,” said Mohammad Younis, a local volunteer.
Many of the youth can be seen stepping into the muddy water, pulling out weeds, and clearing plastic bags with their bare hands. Women and elderly residents also help by collecting waste along the canal banks.
“If we keep waiting for someone else to act, our land and water will be ruined. We must act now,” Younus said.
Meanwhile Village Development Committee now plans to expand the drive by cleaning other water sources and planting trees along the canal. They have also called on nearby villages to take up similar efforts to protect the environment.
