Taking Initiative to Revive, Protect Water Bodies
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Mar 17: Cleanliness, a value instilled in individuals since childhood, is often overlooked in adulthood, resulting in a decline in environmental quality. This neglect has caused significant damage to local surroundings and essential water bodies, such as the Jhelum River, which is frequently misused as a dumping ground for waste.
In response to increasing concerns about pollution and the failure to protect vital water resources, volunteer groups from various villages across Kashmir have initiated a cleanup campaign focused on the Jhelum River, canals, and nallahs.
“A clean environment is essential for a healthy life. Just as we maintain personal hygiene and tidy homes, we must extend this commitment to our shared spaces and water bodies,” stated Firdous Ahmad, who leads one of the volunteer groups in Southern Kashmir, while talking to Kashmir Despatch.
He noted the irony of the region’s dependence on the Jhelum River for water while simultaneously contributing to its pollution.
The volunteers aim to highlight the direct connection between environmental conservation and public health. “Most communities here rely on this river, yet we continue to neglect our responsibility to protect it,” Firdous added.
The campaign emphasizes the collective duty of citizens to act as responsible stewards of the environment and to contribute to societal progress. “Whether through cleanliness initiatives or broader development efforts, every individual must play a role in building a sustainable future,” said Junaid Bhat, who leads another group in Northern Kashmir.
Alongside local volunteers, the youth have focused on cleaning the Sandran stream in Anantnag, which had been heavily polluted with solid waste. “The Sandran stream is our only source of water, yet it resembled a garbage dump. When the authorities did not intervene, we took it upon ourselves to launch a weekly cleanup campaign,” remarked local volunteer Sajad Ahmad.
In 2021, businessman Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo launched a campaign in Srinagar to restore the Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes. Supported by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Wangnoo’s team successfully removed tons of solid waste from the lakes, which had become dumping sites.
Despite initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, Amrit Sarovar, and MGNREGA being implemented by the Rural Development Department, there are currently no provisions for cleaning water bodies. The J&K government claims, through the Mission Amrit Sarovar portal, to have rejuvenated 237 springs under this mission since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2022.
Abhjeet Joshi, the Regional Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (PCC), acknowledged that the PCC’s role is limited to issuing directives to relevant departments regarding pollution violations.
Shabir Hussain Bhat, the Director of Rural Development, confirmed that there are no provisions in any existing scheme to address the cleaning of water bodies, stating that Rural Sanitation is responsible for the sanitation program.
This cleanliness movement originated in South Kashmir, spearheaded by a group of youth led by photojournalist Javeed Dar, and has quickly gained traction, inspiring many groups from different regions of Kashmir to join the initiative.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
