Ganderbal, Nov 17: The increasing pollution along the banks of Nallah Sindh, once a main source of water for thousands of people in this central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, poses a threat to its existence.
Nallah Sindh holds historical importance in Ganderbal. The source of this stream is several freshwater springs. However, due to the increasing pollution for the last two decades, this water body is losing its sheen.
According to locals, due to the absence of a solid waste management facility, the garbage heaps are a common scene on the banks of Nallah Sindh – from Wayil to Gagangeer – and streams as well as on the Srinagar-Leh highway. The administration is doing nothing to address the “grave” problem, they told Rising Kashmir.
Solid waste including plastic bags and polythene is being thrown on the roadside, and banks of rivers and streams in various areas of sub-division Kangan. “The foul smell emanates from garbage dumps which are open here. It has made our lives miserable,” a local said.
“Nallah Sindh has many types of rare and high types of trout fish, and despite repeated pleas, the concerned authorities turned deaf ears to the issue,” he added.
Another resident said that garbage sites have become dwelling places for dogs and other animals, causing a lot of problems for locals. The presence of stray dogs poses a threat to us, especially our children, he said, adding that the canine population in the whole district has increased manifold.
The locals and civil society said the concerned authorities should introduce a scientific mechanism to recycle domestic waste apart from biodegradable waste from households.
Sarpanch Halqa Gund (A) Zahoor Ahmad Tantray told Rising Kashmir that the RDD has identified land in the Gund area for solid waste management on which the work will be started soon. “We have provided dustbins to shopkeepers. Now we will also provide these to all the people of the Gund area,” he said.
