Bandipora, Mar 27: Various canals in this North Kashmir district have been turned into garbage dumps by adjoining residents and army camps in the vicinity.
 According to the concerned residents, many houses constructed near canals and tributaries passing throw Madar, Bandipora, Ajar, Kunan, Bagh and Nowpora were throwing waste material everyday on the banks of these canals and some were also disposing of sewerage in these water bodies.
 “These canals always remain choked with polythene bags, vegetable waster and other material. Women even wash clothes on these water bodies,” the residents of Ward 5 told Greater Kashmir adding that even shopkeepers were dumping waste on the banks of these canals. 
 Various water bodies like Gadar Koal, Grat Koal, Madhumati River, Papchan Nallah and Jinder Koal has also become dumping place for filth and garbage.
 “The people are throwing garbage into the canals and administration is acting as mute spectator,” said Saleem Ahmed of Ward No 2.
 Besides, locals Army and paramilitary forces in various camps including Supply Camp Bandipora, 14 Rashtriya Rifles camp in Khapora, 14 RR camp in Arin, 35 CRPF in Papchan and 15 RR in Kaloosa are dumping the waste material in adjoining canals and tributaries.
 “The soldiers in Supply camp are dumping waste in the Jinder Koal passing in front of the District Hospital which emanates foul smell,” the residents said.
 The residents accused the administration of lackadaisical attitude towards the issue. “The officers of concerned department are equally responsible for the unhygienic conditions as they have failed to remove the garbage and other waste materials from the banks of water bodies,” said Ghulam Muhammad of Ward No 2.
 The officers and engineers of the irrigation department are equally responsible for the unhygienic conditions as they have not cleaned the silt and garbage accumulated on the bed of the canal for the past several years.
 Expressing helplessness, an engineer in the Irrigation Department said, “People throw garbage into canals which hinder the flow of water.”
 He said even labourers refuse to lift the garbage from the canals as many sewerage pipes open on the canal banks.
 When contacted, Additional District Development Commissioner, Ghulam Muhammad Barkaboo said “every canal and tributary will be cleaned very soon.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST