Water and Waste Together?

If I am made chief minister of a state like Jammu & Kashmir for one day, and I have to take three policy decisions, those will never be revoked. These will be as follows. Number 1: a 100% ban on the production, sale, purchase, or use of plastics and their products including chip packets, biscuit packets, and everything that is packed in plastics. Number 2: removal of all concrete structures (domestic, commercial or government) within a 1 km boundaries of rivers and lakes. Number 3: Anyone found violating the above two policies shall be imprisoned for life. With these policies in place, water bodies will heal themselves, they won’t need human help in healing.

As the global community observed World Water Day 2025, it bought into sharp focus the growing crisis of water and waste in regions like Kashmir, where streams, rivers, and wetlands are increasingly burdened by human negligence and pollution. Once renowned for its pristine water bodies, Kashmir today faces a visible and worsening crisis — our water sources are no longer just carrying water; they are carrying waste, disease, and decline.

The image of a local stream clogged with plastic debris, rotting waste, and sewage is no longer an anomaly — it is becoming the norm in both urban and rural landscapes across the Valley. Water, the very essence of life and identity in Kashmir, is under siege.

Historically, Kashmir was known for its abundant springs, clear rivers, and life-giving wetlands. These water bodies not only sustained agriculture and livelihoods but also held cultural and spiritual significance. Springs like Chashme Shahi, rivers like Jhelum and Lidder, and wetlands like Wular and Hokersar formed the natural wealth of the region.

However, over the past few decades, there has been a drastic transformation. Urban sprawl, poorly managed waste disposal, and lack of environmental regulation have turned many of these once-pure water bodies into contaminated channels. Streams that once quenched thirst and irrigated fields now resemble open drains, choked with household garbage, plastic wrappers, and chemical waste.

In many parts of Kashmir, especially around Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, and Budgam, small streams and canals have become dumping sites. Plastic bags, packaging waste, construction debris, and even medical waste are discarded into water bodies without concern for the consequences.

The lack of a systematic waste management mechanism, including segregation at source, door-to-door collection, and scientific disposal, has aggravated the problem. Waste accumulates in water channels, leading to clogging, flooding during rains, and the breeding of disease-causing pathogens.

A recent environmental survey by a local university found high levels of coliform bacteria, chemical pollutants, and heavy metals in multiple urban streams. This not only poses a serious health risk to people living nearby but also affects aquatic life, soil fertility, and groundwater recharge.

Wetlands, which act as natural water purifiers and flood regulators, are under intense pressure. Wular Lake, once Asia’s largest freshwater lake, has shrunk due to encroachments, siltation, and pollution. Dal Lake, another jewel of Kashmir, is suffocating under the weight of solid waste, sewage inflow, and excessive weed growth.

Similarly, Hokersar and Shalabugh wetlands, critical for migratory birds and local biodiversity, are facing degradation. Wetland loss not only diminishes biodiversity but also reduces the Valley’s water storage capacity, making it more vulnerable to floods and droughts.

Rapid urban expansion without adequate waste infrastructure has added to the crisis. Construction on flood plains, filling of small water bodies, and unauthorized settlements along streams and rivers disrupt natural water flow and contribute to waste accumulation.

Most urban areas in Kashmir lack modern sewage treatment plants (STPs). Raw sewage is directly discharged into water bodies, further polluting the streams and posing health risks to communities, especially children and the elderly.

While environmental laws exist, including the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Wetland Rules, and Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, implementation remains weak. There is a glaring lack of coordination between municipal bodies, environmental agencies, and civil society. Public awareness of the water-waste connection is low. Many people still treat streams as convenient garbage disposal sites, unaware that they are polluting their own water sources. Clean-up drives and awareness campaigns have been sporadic and largely unsustainable without long-term commitment.

The days like World Water Day provide an opportunity to reframe water conservation not just as an environmental issue, but as a foundation for public health, economic stability, and social cohesion. Access to clean water and the protection of water bodies can be a common cause, bringing together government agencies, community leaders, religious institutions, and youth organizations.

In Islam, water is a trust (Amanah), not to be wasted or polluted. Religious sermons, community meetings, and educational programs must emphasize water stewardship as a moral duty and social responsibility.

What should be done urgently

1. Invest in scientific waste treatment, segregation at source, and safe disposal mechanisms, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
2. Launch comprehensive restoration projects for degraded water bodies, removing encroachments and reinstating natural water flows.
3. Penalise illegal dumping, encroachments, and violations of pollution norms through effective monitoring and legal action.
4. Encourage citizen-led clean-up drives, adopt-a-stream programs, and school-based water conservation initiatives.
5. Establish functional sewage treatment plants (STPs), or artificial/constructed wetlands especially in urban centers for sewage treatment, and promote rainwater harvesting in both residential and commercial buildings.
6. Integrate water conservation into school curriculums, public discourse, and policy debates, making it a central issue of development.

Conclusion: Streams Should Carry Life, Not Waste

The streams and rivers of Kashmir were meant to carry life, hope, and sustenance — not plastic, toxins, and filth. We must confront the visible crisis of water and waste with renewed willpower and collective action.

Our streams are crying — clogged, choked, and contaminated. It is time we listen, act, and restore water to its rightful place — as the soul of Kashmir.

Let us not wait for the day when we realize we can no longer drink from our streams. The time to act is now, for the sake of our health, our heritage, and our future.

Dr. Ashraf Zainabi, Teacher and Researcher based in Gowhar Pora Chadoora and an Advisor at The Nature University Kashmir