Jhelum river banks turn into garbage dumping sites

Sumbal, Dec 8: Scores of concerned residents from various villages in the Sumbal subdivision of north Kashmir's Bandipora district have expressed concern over the unregulated dumping of garbage along the river Jehlum.

The residents told Greater Kashmir that the garbage dumping is not only affecting the water body but also creating a nuisance for those living nearby. They said they have raised these concerns with the respective authorities but no action has been taken.

Residents of Taingpora and Hilalabad near the new bridge in Sumbal said their "numerous visits" to the Tehsil and office of Block Development Office (BDO) have yielded no results.

Nazir Ahmad, Chairman of the Sonawari Citizen Council, told Greater Kashmir that garbage dumping has been happening for a long time, affecting people in market areas and people living nearby on both sides of the river.

He said "numerous villages" from the bridge to Nand Kishore Temple along the river are getting polluted.

Locals said most of the garbage is being dumped near Nainara, Wagipora, Sumbal main, and Taingpora besides other areas.

"The issue is that areas on one side of the river fall under the municipality, while the other side is being looked after by the block office," Khan said, adding, "We have visited both offices on numerous occasions, but despite assurances, nothing has happened."

"The condition is terrible," Khan said, adding that "most scenic and ancient recreational spots, such as Yarbal, have turned into garbage dumping points."

The residents said even assurances from various officers have not had any "tangible results".

Another resident, Danish Manzoor, said, "It's important to hold people or government or private institutions involved accountable for dumping garbage along the Jhelum banks as it significantly pollutes the water body," adding, "authorities should move to clean it as scores of people in Sumbal consume the water from this source."

"This situation not only poses environmental hazards but also tarnishes the image of our area, especially for outside visitors who encounter this scene," Nazir said.

The residents have urged the district administration and other concerned authorities to take "immediate action" on the matter.

Greater Kashmir took up the issue of garbage dumping on Jhelum banks with Block Development Officer (BDO) Sumbal, Dawar Habib. The officer assured wherever garbage dumping is happening along Jhelum banks it "will be taken care off" and and the practice will be stopped immediately.