Pulwama, Dec 02: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Pampore, Hasnain Masoodi on Monday said he was committed to addressing the issue of environmental pollution in the Khrew area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the People’s Welfare Trust Khrew in collaboration with SR Foundation, Masoodi, a retired judge, voiced deep concern about the industrial pollution affecting Khrew and its adjoining areas. He called for a collective response to tackle its adverse effects on the local population and environment.
“I will proactively work to address the issue of industrial pollution in Khrew,” Masoodi said. He stressed that the first step is to draw the government’s attention to the severity of the problem. “Understanding the gravity of this issue is essential for finding its solution,” he added, adding that nearly 25,000 residents in the area have been affected by industrial pollution.
The senior National Conference (NC) leader said that pollution caused by cement factories and other industrial units, including stone crushers, has left no aspect of life in the area untouched. He described it as one of the most serious environmental disasters in North India.
“Thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land have become barren due to cement pollution, severely impacting crops, income-generating resources, and public health,” he explained. He said that local flora and fauna, including the saffron crop, have been significantly affected.
Highlighting the health crisis, the MLA Pampore said a small primary health centre in Khrew handles approximately one lakh OPD patients annually, with 75% of them suffering from pulmonary and cardiac ailments linked to pollution.
He called for the preservation of natural resources for future generations and urged the local residents to actively participate in tackling this challenge. “As a resident of this place, I have continuously raised this issue at every forum,” Masoodi said, pledging to collaborate with stakeholders to find solutions.
Dr Rauf ur Rafiq, Chairman of SR Foundation and a noted environmentalist, said they are not opposed to the industry. “We have no problem with the industry here, but we want to address the pollution,” he said.
Dr Rafiq advocated for the installation of pollution control devices by industrial units and urged community welfare initiatives through corporate social responsibility. He encouraged local residents to plant trees to enhance greenery and mitigate environmental damage.
