Municipal Committee Anantnag Faces Criticism Over Alleged Waste Dumping Along Lidder Stream
Anantnag, June 1, KNT: Municipal Committee Anantnag has come under sharp criticism for allegedly dumping waste along the banks of the crystal-clear Lidder stream, with concerns being raised over potential environmental damage and pollution of a vital water body.
The issue gained political and environmental attention after former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the alleged dumping and sought immediate intervention to halt the practice.
Sharing concerns publicly, Mehbooba Mufti questioned the rationale behind treating the Lidder as a dumping site and described the alleged disposal of waste near the water body as a serious environmental concern.
“What sense does it make for Municipal Committee Anantnag to treat Lidder as a dumping ground for trash? This is wanton destruction of Kashmir’s water bodies and must stop immediately,” she said while appealing to Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Anshul Garg for intervention.
Her remarks followed concerns raised by environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who alleged that despite financial assistance received under sanitation and urban development schemes, urban local bodies continued to dump waste near water bodies and drinking water sources.
Bhat specifically alleged that Municipal Committee Anantnag was dumping waste near the Lidder stream at Akoora, around six kilometers from Anantnag town.
The allegations have sparked concern among environmental observers and concerned citizens, particularly given the ecological importance of the Lidder, which is widely regarded as one of Kashmir’s significant freshwater streams and a major attraction for tourists and locals alike. [KNT]
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