By Dr. Mushtaq Rather
The carrying capacity of rural ecosystems, in terms of accommodating solid waste, is receding with each passing day due to the accumulation of huge piles of waste and the inefficient, non-scientific mechanisms for disposal. In a fragile ecosystem like Kashmir, even small-scale anthropogenic interference can have serious environmental ramifications, and in fact, it has already started casting shadows, as is evident from the current trend in the weather. A record 79% deficient rainfall in the peak winter months this year has sent alarm bells ringing for everyone. Due to climate change, we are witnessing extreme weather phenomena in this part of the world. Spring is almost a month ahead of schedule. The tragic tale is the drying up of prominent water bodies in the month of February. Imagine the catastrophic consequences of water scarcity in the upcoming summer months. The recent incident of the drying up of the perennial spring at Mughal Gardens, Achabal, Anantnag is trending on social media, and the octogenarian people of the area were moved to tears when they saw the pathetic condition of the spring. They recalled their ordeal, mentioning that they had never seen the drying up of this serene water body in their lifetime. This is not an isolated incident; the majority of the region’s water bodies have receded to their lowest levels.
Why are we witnessing these extreme weather patterns? The primary reason appears to be increased anthropogenic activities. Every visible sight in rural hamlets is filled with solid waste trash. What is the practical mechanism in place to mitigate this solid waste? Who has the mandate to clear this mess? Every open space is littered. Our water bodies—be it rivulets, streams, springs, or rivers—are choked with non-biodegradable waste, such as diapers, sanitary pads, and single-use plastic. Look at the daily consumption of these items; they keep piling up in the environment. The problem with diapers is that they hardly decompose and cannot be reduced to ashes at normal temperatures. Incinerators can do this job, but their use is still on a small scale.
In the Khoveripora block of district Anantnag, the rural sanitation program is invisible on the ground. For a time, garbage collection vehicles were introduced along several routes to collect household garbage on a daily basis, but the initiative was shelved midway without specifying the reasons. The mandate of rural sanitation falls under the Rural Development Department (RDD) as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0. The Government of India has infused a lot of money for rural sanitation to make rural areas open defecation-free, litter-free, and to support the de-siltation of water bodies. The entire hamlet of Akura in Khoveripora block has heaps of garbage that have unfortunately not been cleared for a couple of years. The banks of the majestic Lidder River, which flows through this hamlet, have become dumping sites for garbage collected from diverse areas of Anantnag, which is a clear violation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The majority of waste segregation sheds constructed by the RDD have been built either on the banks of water bodies or at picturesque spots, which also goes against the guidelines of the SWM Rules 2016.
The author brought the rural sanitation issue to the notice of the Secretary of RDD, who has directed the officials at the district level to intervene. The RDD officials have acknowledged the problem and assured that they will work to mitigate the rural sanitation issue in the entire Khoveripora block. There must be a well-thought-out strategy on the part of the RDD, with the active cooperation of the public, to render our environment congenial and aesthetic.
The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer
- The author can be reached for feedback at aroushfatimamar15@gmail.com
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