30 Wular villages to be clustered for scientific waste management facilities: CCF Kashmir
Srinagar, Jul 17: Stressing that community participation is the cornerstone of environmental conservation, Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir Irfan Rasool Wani on Friday said the future of Wular Lake depends largely on the people living in its surrounding villages, as they are the first responders to prevent pollution from reaching the lake.
Speaking on Wular conservation initiatives, CCF Kashmir, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said authorities are implementing a cluster based solid waste management model under which 30 villages in the Wular catchment will be covered through Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to scientifically process waste generated in the immediate vicinity of the lake.
He said the initiative aims to intercept waste at its source and prevent it from entering Wular, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes.
“Wular Lake’s future rests with its villages. The first responders are the people themselves. They have to ensure that solid waste does not enter the lake,” Wani said.
He urged residents of villages including Watlab, Zurimanz and Bangladesh to take ownership of waste management and work towards transforming their habitations into model villages for environmental conservation.
Wani said the government will complement community efforts by creating the required infrastructure, including Material Recovery Facilities and other measures to check waste flow into the lake.
Referring to legacy waste sites, he said the government and concerned departments will intervene wherever required to scientifically remediate old dumping sites. He cited the example of Zalwan in Bandipora, where authorities are acting in compliance with court directions to clear accumulated waste and restore the site.
The Chief Conservator said Wular Conservation and Management Authority, in collaboration with the Forest Department, is implementing the lake’s master plan with equal emphasis on ecological restoration, sustainable tourism and livelihood generation for local communities.
He added that while infrastructure and government intervention are essential, the long term success of Wular conservation ultimately depends on active public participation and responsible waste management practices at the village level. (KNO)
