Peer ki Gali in peril: Plastic waste threatens scenic Mughal Road's beauty

Shopian, Oct 12: Peer ki Gali, one of the most scenic stretches of the historic Mughal Road, is being engulfed by plastic waste as increasing traffic and tourist footfalls overwhelm the mountain pass.

Once celebrated for its tranquillity and spiritual aura, the 11,500-foot high mountain pass, located between Poshana and Heerpora villages, is now littered with polythene bags, bottles, and food wrappers.

“It was heartbreaking to see such a place turned into a dumping site,” said Rouf Ahmad, a Shopian resident who visited on Saturday. “I could hardly find any dustbins along the route.”

Ahmad noted that almost the entire stretch from Heerpora to Peer ki Gali lacks basic sanitation facilities, including washrooms and proper waste disposal.

The pass attracts both local visitors and non-local travellers, who stop to admire the panoramic views of the Pir Panjal mountains and pray at the shrine of Shaikh Ahmad Karim, a 16th-century saint. Historical accounts suggest Mughal emperors Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan crossed the spot in silence out of respect for him. Despite its cultural and religious significance, the area remains devoid of adequate sanitation.

“Plastic and empty bottles scattered everywhere paint a dismal picture,” said Mitha Gatoo, a social activist from Shopian. “Plastic doesn’t disappear. It poisons the soil and water and ruins the landscape.”

Gatoo warned that continued neglect could cause lasting damage to the fragile ecosystem and urged authorities to provide dustbins and washrooms, especially considering the heavy movement of fruit-laden trucks along the route.

With frequent disruptions on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the Mughal Road has seen a surge in traffic, particularly from trucks transporting fruits. “Truckers and other travellers often make pit stops at Peer ki Gali, and with no dustbins or washrooms available, they end up littering the area,” said another local resident.

“Regular cleanliness drives are urgently needed to restore the place and preserve its sanctity,” he added.

Residents and activists emphasised that immediate intervention is necessary to protect the site from environmental degradation and maintain its historical and spiritual significance.