Disaster: Admin identifies other bank of river Ranbiara as dumping site
Locals aghast, say move will create more pollution
Shopian: The district administration in south Kashmir’s Shopian has shifted municipal waste dumping site from one bank of the river Ranbiara to another, locals have alleged.
The new dumping site is very close to sports stadium Shopian and new fruit mandi at Aglar Shopian, they added.
The locals said that after taking over two decades to decide on a dumping site other than the banks of the famed Nallah Ranbiara, the authorities in Shopian have once again identified another portion of the Ranbiara as the dumping site.
They said that earlier one bank of the river was used and now the other bank is being used for dumping as authorities have completely failed to identify any suitable dumping site.
They said that probably government wants to make sports stadium and new fruit mandi useless as nobody will visit the area due to bad smell of the garbage besides creating more pollution.
They said that why only water bodies are being chosen for being used as dumping site.
“Ranbiara is water source of over one dozen water supply schemes. Besides it provides water for irrigation and other purposes,” said Shakeel Ahmad, a local youth.
The residents of Nadigam village which is close to new dumping said that the bad smell of the garbage is likely to take toll on the health of the locals.
They said that stray dogs have started roaming in the area posing threat to the whole population of the area besides livestock on which most of the population of the area is dependent.
Executive Officer Municipal Committee Shopian Mohammed Ismail, when contacted said that they have got 62 Kanals of land near fruit mandi Shopian where garbage will be treated scientifically.
He added that there will be no affect of this site on the nearby water bodies and work on fencing at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh will begin soon.
Jahangeer Ganaie
