Sonmarg: The much-hyped solid waste treatment plant established in Sarbal area of Sonmarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district at a cost of nearly three crore rupees in 2020 has failed to deliver its purpose, leaving hundreds of tons of garbage piled up in the open. Locals of Sarbal say the situation has become unbearable, with foul smell engulfing the area, threatening public health, and posing grave risks to the fragile ecology of the tourist destination.
The plant was set up by the Sonmarg Development Authority (SDA) with the aim of managing waste generated by hotels, restaurants, and markets. The objective was to ensure cleanliness and safeguard the environment of the popular health resort. However, five years after its establishment, the project is in disarray, with heaps of untreated waste lying outside the facility.
Locals told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the garbage dump not only spreads a constant stench but has also begun attracting wild animals in search of food. “We are living in suffocating conditions. The authorities made tall claims about this plant, but in reality, it has become a garbage collection ground rather than a treatment site,” said a local of Sarbal.
The Chief Executive Officer of the SDA, Mantasha Rashid, visited the site on Friday along with her team to assess the situation. According to reliable sources, she has already reported the matter to higher authorities, terming the current state of affairs a potential violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines.
The responsibility of maintaining the plant lies jointly with the Roads and Buildings Department and the Mechanical Engineering Department, but both have reportedly failed in fulfilling their duties. Officials acknowledged that the machinery at the plant has been lying defunct for the past four days, completely stalling the waste treatment process.
A senior official revealed that despite the SDA investing crores of rupees in constructing the plant to keep Sonmarg clean and eco-friendly, the facility remains ineffective. He added that this year the plant was outsourced under a contract of Rs 65 lakh for a period of 370 days. “Even with outsourcing, the ground realities have not changed. The garbage still lies unattended, threatening both the health of locals and the environment,” he said.
The locals of Sarbal said that the heaps of untreated garbage are damaging the natural beauty of Sonmarg, which draws thousands of tourists every season. “Sonmarg’s charm lies in its pristine environment, but if the authorities fail to act, it will lose its appeal,” another local lamented.
Environmentalists also fear long-term consequences if the issue is not addressed swiftly. They warn that untreated garbage can contaminate water sources and disrupt the ecological balance of the area, which already faces pressure due to increasing tourist footfall.
The locals demanded urgent intervention from authorities. “The plant machinery must be repaired without further delay and the garbage should be cleared immediately. Sonmarg is not just a tourist attraction but also our home, and it deserves to be clean,” they said.
Meanwhile, CEO SDA Mantasha Rashid while acknowledge the issue told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that more measures are being taken to preserve the beauty of Sonmarg. “Sonmarg is our pride, and we are committed to taking steps to maintain its charm,” she said. [KNT]
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