Ziraat Times News Desk
Delegation seeks environmental compensation against erring agencies
Srinagar: A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement (RTIM) and the J&K Climate Action Group (JKCAG) on Wednesday met the Chairperson of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), Mr. Vasu Yadav (IFS), in Srinagar and submitted a memorandum highlighting unscientific waste disposal practices and illegal mining activities in parts of Pulwama and Budgam districts.
The delegation, led by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Chairman RTI Movement and Founder JKCAG, urged the JKPCC to impose environmental compensation on agencies and municipal bodies responsible for unscientific waste management at Newa, Pulwama, and for illegal riverbed and clay mining in Budgam district.
“We express our gratitude to JKPCC for acting swiftly on our recent complaint about illegal riverbed mining in the Doodh Ganga area of Chadoora. However, we urge that environmental compensation be imposed on the agency involved in the illegal activity as well as on the Pulwama Municipal Council for unscientific dumping, burning, and burying of solid waste,” Dr. Muzaffar said in the memorandum.
Concerns Over Environmental Degradation
The memorandum detailed the widespread environmental impact of illegal mining and poor waste management, citing air and dust pollution, degradation of karewas, and contamination of water bodies in multiple areas.
“Illegal sand and clay mining is causing large-scale environmental destruction, especially air pollution and dust pollution in Newa, Brarigund, Kultreh, Brinjan, Nowhar, Buzgoo, Nagam, Tangnad, Pallar in Budgam, and several other villages in Pulwama,” the memorandum stated.
The delegation called on JKPCC to take strict punitive measures against violators under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and to ensure that environmental compensation (EC) is imposed on both individuals and officials found responsible for regulatory lapses.
Waste Management and Diaper Pollution Raised
The meeting also covered the growing challenge of solid waste management in Kashmir, including the unregulated disposal of diapers and sanitary waste in water bodies, particularly in rural areas.
“We discussed the issue of diaper waste, which has become a major environmental concern due to its unscientific disposal in streams and wetlands. We suggested that JKPCC work with other agencies to promote biodegradable alternatives and strengthen waste segregation at the source,” said Irshad Mushtaq, a member of the delegation.
