Sindh Nallah polluted, trout habitat threatened in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Aug 18: The once-pristine Sindh Nallah, a lifeline of fresh water and home to the famous trout habitat is fast losing its glory due to unchecked pollution.

Flowing gracefully through the Ganderbal district, this vital waterway is being marred by relentless garbage dumping, stretching from the Wayil area to the tourist haven of Sonamarg, while the concerned authorities remain indifferent.

Sindh Nallah, a major tributary of the River Jhelum, plays an essential role in the region, contributing to irrigation, hydropower generation, and supplying drinking water to Srinagar via the Rangil Water Treatment Plant.

Yet, despite its significance, the nallah’s banks are increasingly tainted by heaps of waste, particularly plastic and other refuse, which remain unattended.

The scenic banks of Sindh Nallah, often crowded with locals seeking respite from the summer heat, have now become hotspots of pollution.

According to locals, the problem stems from a range of sources: picnic-goers, nearby hoteliers, shopkeepers, and even residents, who indiscriminately dispose of their garbage along the nallah’s banks.

Social activist Raja Parvaiz expressed concern, saying that the growing pollution poses a severe threat to the trout fish population, as the deteriorating water quality could irreversibly damage their habitat. “This environmental neglect is turning the once-pristine Sindh Nallah into a dumping ground,” Parvaiz says. “The authorities need to take immediate action before the situation spirals out of control. The river's water is already becoming undrinkable, and the pollution is marring the natural beauty of the area.”

Despite long-standing government efforts to preserve the purity of Sindh Nallah, waste continues to accumulate along its banks, and without proper intervention, the consequences could be dire.

Parvaiz called on the authorities to promptly clean the affected areas and establish designated waste disposal sites to curb the pollution crisis.

The residents of Ganderbal district remain hopeful that the government will finally address their concerns and restore Sindh Nallah to its former, unspoiled beauty.