Rambiara River turns into dumping ground, Shopian faces ecological alarm

Shopian, Nov 5: Once celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, the Rambiara River in south Kashmir’s Shopian district is rapidly deteriorating into a dumping ground for household waste, triggering grave environmental concerns.

Stretching from the Pir Panjal range and feeding into the Jhelum, the river sustains irrigation and drinking needs for dozens of villages across Shopian. Today, however, its banks are lined with plastic, food waste, and construction debris, dumped daily by nearby residents from Zawoora, Digam, Nagpal, and adjoining hamlets.

Locals say the absence of a proper garbage collection system has forced them to dispose of waste directly into the water. “People are left with no option. The same polluted water is used for irrigation, affecting both our crops and health,” said a resident.

The contamination, they say, has not only spoiled the river’s natural beauty but also wiped out much of its aquatic life. “The water now smells foul, and fish are almost gone,” said social activist Mitha Gatoo.

He warned that if authorities fail to act swiftly, the Rambiara could soon turn into an open drain. Gatoo urged the district administration to introduce a regular waste collection mechanism, establish designated dumping sites, and raise public awareness about river conservation. “The administration must act, but people too, must stop treating rivers as garbage pits. Protecting these water bodies is our shared duty,” he added.