Wular Lake’s Young Crusader Battles Abandonment
TAUSEEF AHMAD
SRINAGAR, Jan 08: Once celebrated as the face of environmental responsibility and civic cleanliness, Bilal Ahmad Dar—who rose to fame for single-handedly cleaning Asia’s second-largest freshwater lake, Wular—today finds himself battling neglect, disability and financial distress, years after being showcased as a brand ambassador by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
Bilal, a resident of Laharwalpora village in Bandipora district, became a household name in 2017 when a video of him collecting plastic waste from the ecologically fragile Wular Lake went viral on social media. The visuals, which showed a teenage ragpicker cleaning the lake out of sheer environmental concern and economic necessity, struck a chord across the Valley and beyond. His efforts later featured in the documentary “Saving the Saviour,” further cementing his image as a grassroots environmental hero.
Moved by his dedication, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation formally engaged Bilal in 2017 as a brand ambassador for Wular Lake and SMC Srinagar. He was projected as a symbol of cleanliness, environmental stewardship and citizen-driven waste management campaigns. Official records accessed by Kashmir Dispatch confirm that Bilal’s engagement with the civic body continued over the years, during which he actively participated in awareness drives, cleanliness campaigns and waste-removal efforts across Srinagar city.
At the time of his engagement, Bilal—then a minor—was assured by officials that he would be regularised and given a permanent position once he attained the age of 18. However, nearly eight years later, that promise remains unfulfilled.
Despite years of service, Bilal continues to work without regularisation. His monthly remuneration has remained stagnant at ₹8,000 since his initial engagement, with no revision, written assurance or formal process initiated for his permanent absorption into the corporation. Even four years after turning 18, Bilal says his repeated pleas to officials have gone unheard.
His already precarious situation took a devastating turn last year when he met with a serious accident that resulted in the loss of almost one leg. The incident left him bedridden and physically disabled. He underwent prolonged medical treatment and multiple procedures, incurring expenses amounting to nearly ₹14 lakh. Despite the enormous financial burden and his inability to work, Bilal alleges that he received no institutional support or assistance from the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
Speaking to Kashmir Dispatch, an emotionally distressed Bilal said he feels completely abandoned by the very system he once represented. “I was promised a permanent job after I turned 18. I served SMC honestly for years, but neither my salary nor my status ever changed. After my accident, no one came forward to help me,” he said.
Expressing his anguish, Bilal added, “I still want to keep Wular Lake clean, but now I cannot even move from my bed. I fear that one day SMC will also throw me out. Even after so many years, nobody listens to me.”
Detailing his contribution, he said that over the past eight years he not only cleaned Wular Lake but also carried out awareness drives across Srinagar, cleaned the Jhelum River and several streams that drain into Wular and contribute to its pollution. “I was a teenager when I was engaged, and I was told my services would be regularised. Today, after sacrificing my health and livelihood, I have nothing in writing and no support—financial or medical,” he said.
Bilal is now urging the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to honour the commitment made to him and grant him the permanent job he was assured, which he says is crucial for his survival, dignity and ongoing medical care.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Dispatch attempted to seek an official response from SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb. However, despite repeated attempts, no response was received from the authorities till the filing of this report.
