Srinagar, April 10, KNT: Urban waste management and sewage disposal systems in Jammu and Kashmir have fallen short of required standards, contributing to pollution of water bodies, according to findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The audit highlighted that untreated sewage was being discharged into lakes and rivers due to inadequate treatment facilities and poor infrastructure.
It also pointed to deficiencies in solid waste management, including improper collection, segregation, and disposal practices in urban areas.
According to the findings, these lapses have contributed to environmental degradation, particularly impacting water bodies that are crucial to the region’s ecology.
Read: CAG Flags Disappearance and Shrinkage of Lakes in J&K, Raises Environmental Concerns
The report noted that monitoring mechanisms were weak, allowing violations and inefficiencies in waste handling systems to persist.
Despite allocation of funds for sanitation and waste management, the intended outcomes were not fully achieved, the audit observed.
The CAG emphasized the need for strengthening infrastructure, improving waste treatment systems, and ensuring strict compliance to prevent further environmental damage. [KNT]
