Donipawa residents demand relocation of dumping site
Allege health risks and administrative apathy
Anantnag: Serious concern is mounting among residents of Donipawa area in Anantnag over the continued dumping of waste near the Arpath Nallah, with locals alleging that the site has turned into a major health hazard due to the absence of proper preventive measures and waste management practices.
According to local residents, heaps of waste dumped openly along the banks of the stream has led to foul smell, contamination of water and an alarming increase in stray dogs in the area. They said children and elderly people are the worst affected as infections and illnesses tend to rise during the summer months.
“We are living under constant fear of diseases. The stench from the garbage makes it difficult to even sit inside our homes. During evenings, stray dogs roam around in packs, creating panic among children and women,” said a local resident.
Another resident said the Arpath Nallah, which flows through several downstream villages, is gradually getting polluted due to the unchecked dumping of waste near its banks.
“This stream is an important source of water for many habitations. If garbage continues to be thrown here without safeguards, the contamination will affect thousands of people,” he said.
Senior National Conference leader and District Vice President Anantnag, Imran Amin Shah on Thursday urged the authorities to immediately relocate the dumping site, saying the issue has been ignored despite repeated appeals from the local population.
During his visit to the area, Shah said the dumping of garbage in close proximity to residential localities and water bodies was posing a grave threat to public health, especially to economically weaker families living nearby.
Shah alleged that despite repeated representations by locals seeking relocation of the site and installation of preventive mechanisms, the administration has failed to act. He claimed that the area had been converted into a vulnerable dumping zone without scientific waste disposal methods or protection of nearby water bodies.
He further alleged that the authorities concerned, including Municipal Committee Anantnag and Rural Development Department blocks of Anantnag and Achabal, had ignored the issue, resulting in immense inconvenience and health risks for the local population.
Locals have now appealed to the district administration to intervene immediately, relocate the dumping site to a safer location and adopt proper waste management practices to prevent further environmental degradation and public health crises in the area.
