Lidder tributary dying fast in Chee village, reduced to dumping site

The once-pristine tributary of the Lidder River in Chee village is rapidly deteriorating, with heaps of garbage lining its banks and choking its waters, posing severe environmental and public health risks.

Once a source of fresh, drinkable water, the rivulet has now become a foul-smelling cesspool. “Two decades ago, this tributary gushed with crystal-clear water, and we used it for drinking and bathing,” recalled Abdul Hamid, 80. “Now, it’s unrecognizable.”

Villagers blame the decline on the absence of proper waste disposal systems. "People throw all kinds of garbage, including polythene and plastic, into the river," lamented Bashir Ahmad, 45. Encroachment along the river and its spill channels has further narrowed the waterway.

The situation has been worsened by the neglect of irrigation canals, also affected by encroachments. Despite being only a kilometre from Anantnag town, Chee village lacks a solid waste management system.

Locals have urged the Flood and Irrigation Control and Rural Development departments to take immediate action to restore the tributary and implement measures to prevent further pollution and encroachment.