Shopian, Feb 14: Continuous littering along water bodies has choked many streams and drains in the Zainapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, with residents and environmentalists expressing serious concern.
People from different villages of the subdivision said that indiscriminate dumping of waste into and along water bodies has become a common practice, resulting in blockages and pollution.
Residents say unchecked dumping has turned many scenic spots into garbage sites, contaminating water sources used for irrigation and daily needs.
“People throw plastic bags and garbage directly into streams. During rains, it spreads everywhere, blocking drains and polluting fields,” said a local shopkeeper. “Government action is necessary, but public awareness is equally important.”
Environmental activists in Shopian have long raised concerns over the growing plastic menace, warning that polythene waste not only harms soil fertility but also poses serious threats to livestock and aquatic life.
Amid reports of plastic waste, diapers, animal dung, and household refuse increasingly being dumped along roadsides and into streams, the local administration in Zainapora has launched a renewed cleanliness drive, urging residents to take responsibility for protecting the environment.
In a public notice, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Zainapora called upon people across all villages of the subdivision to immediately remove waste from their neighbourhoods, homes, lanes, roads, drains, and open spaces. The notice specifically mentioned polythene bags, disposable diapers, sewage waste, animal waste, and other harmful materials often seen scattered in public areas and dumped into water channels, a practice that has led to severe pollution and growing health risks.
“Every conscious citizen must understand their environmental responsibility and cooperate fully in keeping the surroundings clean and healthy,” the administration stated, warning that anyone found contributing to environmental pollution would face strict legal action.
Officials said that cleanliness is not just a government duty but a collective responsibility of society. “Without public cooperation, no campaign can succeed. People must stop treating roads and water bodies as dumping sites,” an official said.
Authorities added that inspections will be intensified in the coming days, and violators will be penalised under relevant laws to curb pollution and restore environmental hygiene across the region—(KNO)
