Plastic waste chokes Wular banks, residents sound alarm

Residents across North Kashmir’s Bandipora district have raised serious concern over the rampant dumping of plastic waste along the banks of Wular Lake, warning that the practice is endangering one of Asia’s largest freshwater bodies and its fragile aquatic ecology.

Villagers from S.K. Payeen, Lankreshipora, Laharwalpora, Banyari, Zurimanz and Kheunesa said unchecked disposal of polythene and plastic waste continues unabated in low-lying belts connected to the lake. They said inadequate oversight and a lack of awareness among the public have allowed the problem to grow.

Ishfaq Ahmad, a resident of S.K. Payeen, said waste is being thrown in the open without fear of action. “There is little monitoring and no consistent awareness campaign on its environmental impact,” he said.

Locals said departmental drives and cleaning programmes have made “minimal impact”. They pointed to gaps in waste collection, noting that while vehicles occasionally visit for door-to-door collection, many households do not participate—often due to the fee charged for the service, which they say is unaffordable for economically weak families.

Residents further flagged the absence of public dustbins or waste containers, leaving no option but open dumping, which they warn will worsen lake pollution if corrective measures are delayed. They have urged authorities to establish proper waste management mechanisms and implement sustainable alternatives to protect Wular Lake from irreversible ecological damage.