GOWHAR MAQBOOL
HAJIN: The continuous dumping of the garbage and sewage waste on the Jhelum banks in the Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has irked residents .
Blaming local and some shopkeepers and nearby residents of the area, Hilal Ahmad , said, “The river banks once acted as the refreshing spot, where people used to spent their free time in the healthy environment but now the irresponsible residents and callous approach of Municipal committee Hajin have created a menace in the area.”
“Now-a-days, you can see non-biodegradable items like plastic bottles floating in the river and on the banks of river Jehlum . It is depressing and really a sad state,” he added.
Another Local said that the near by residents are a major pollutants as they dump the waste on the banks of river jehlum near main market Hajin, foul smell emanates of it thus creating problems while passing through the main Market.
The woman who have to visit river for the daily chores are the worst affected, a local resident said.
Concerned locals said that despite requests and pleas the local administration is not paying any heed to our problems, and as a result we are consuming contaminated water.
“Irony is that Muncipal Committee hajin and its employess never took a cleanliness drive in the area to keep the area clean neither they are cleaning the Jehlum embankments,” they said.
When contacted executive officer Municipality committee hajin Gh Rasool Shah said: “I will look into the matter and strict action will be taken against offenders. Nobody will be allowed to encroach on river banks”.
Asked about the mess in Hajin Shah said that a cleanliess drive would be taken soon, to make the scene of embakments as it was before, and said whosover throws garabage on riverbanks would be dealt seriously now.
“I feel pleasure if some bring the any fault in my notice, I urge people around the area to contact me, for any grievence in the area,”Shah said.
