Shopian’s Snagloo river turns into ‘dumping ground’
Residents alarmed as garbage, rotting Apples choke waterway
Shopian: Once a lifeline for local communities and a symbol of natural purity, the Snagloo River in south Kashmir’s Shopian district is today battling for survival.
What was once a glistening water channel known for its clarity and scenic charm has now been reduced to a foul-smelling stream, clogged with heaps of garbage and piles of decaying apples?
This autumn has been particularly harsh. With many orchardists struggling to manage spoiled produce amid fluctuating temperatures and untimely rains, large quantities of rotten apples have been dumped straight into the river.
The result: a thick layer of floating waste that locals say is both an environmental disaster and a threat to public health.
“The river was once so clean that people believed its water had healing powers. Now it’s unbearable to even walk near it because of the stench,” said Mubashir Ahmad, a resident of the area, recalling the river’s lost glory.
Residents fear that if the dumping continues, the consequences could be dire. The waste has begun obstructing the natural flow of the river, raising concerns of water contamination and flooding.
“The stinking waste is collecting in layers and blocking the drainage channels. If nothing is done, it will pollute our wells and springs,” locals said.
They also said that human interference is a major factor behind the river’s deterioration. Unregulated construction, narrowing of the riverbed, and pipelines laid across the watercourse have disrupted the river’s ecosystem. “Civic negligence has made things worse. With no cleaning, no supervision, people have started treating the river as a garbage pit,” said another resident.
Locals are now appealing to the district administration, municipal authorities, and irrigation department to intervene without delay.
They demand a comprehensive clean-up drive, strict monitoring, and penalties for those responsible for the pollution.
