Srinagar, Aug 26 (KNO): Water quality in the Sindh Nallah has deteriorated at three locations in Kangan and Sonamarg due to the discharge of untreated sewage through drains, according to a recent report submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The report, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was prepared in compliance with directions issued by the NGT in a case concerning pollution of the Sindh Nallah and its impact on trout habitat. The CPCB collected 11 water samples on May 4, 2026, including seven from different points along the nallah and four from drains discharging into it.
According to the findings, water quality at all seven river sampling points met the designated Class D standards for the propagation of wildlife and fisheries. However, three sites—Kangan Akhal Bridge, downstream of Shutkadi Bridge in Sonamarg and Sindh Nallah at Sonamarg—did not meet Class B and Class C standards due to high levels of total coliform.
Other key parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), remained within the prescribed limits at these river locations.
The CPCB analysis found significantly higher levels of contamination in the drains entering the Sindh Nallah. Faecal coliform levels in the four drains ranged from 2×10⁴ to 29×10⁷ MPN/100 ml, while BOD values ranged between 6 mg/l and 118 mg/l, indicating the presence of untreated sewage.
The most severe contamination was detected in the drain near Hotel Glacier/Tajwas in Sonamarg, where faecal coliform was recorded at 29×10⁷ MPN/100 ml and total coliform at 35×10⁸ MPN/100 ml.
The drain in Kangan recorded faecal coliform levels of 61×10⁴ MPN/100 ml, while the drain near the Army Transit Camp in Sonamarg showed 13×10⁵ MPN/100 ml.
The CPCB noted that total coliform levels at three river locations exceeded the prescribed limits of 500 MPN/100 ml for Class B and 5,000 MPN/100 ml for Class C. It linked the deterioration primarily to the high faecal coliform concentrations detected in the drains discharging into the water body.
The report also examined the status of the 1.2 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Sonamarg and found that installation work was still underway. Officials of the Sonamarg Development Authority told the CPCB team that around two more months would be needed to complete the installation. The authority had also not obtained the mandatory Consent to Establish (CTE) from the J&K Pollution Control Committee.
In its assessment, the CPCB concluded that untreated sewage entering the Sindh Nallah through drains was responsible for increased total coliform levels at the three affected locations in Kangan and Sonamarg.
The pollution control body recommended that the J&K Pollution Control Committee direct the concerned agencies to ensure that sewage is properly treated before being discharged into the water body. It also called for regular monitoring of the nallah to prevent any further deterioration in water quality.
The findings are part of ongoing proceedings before the NGT following a news report titled “Sindh Nallah Polluted Trout Habitat Threatened in Ganderbal”, published by Greater Kashmir on August 19, 2024.
The Tribunal is examining pollution in the Sindh Nallah and its possible impact on trout farming, with the water body serving as an important source of freshwater for trout-related activities in the region.
The NGT had earlier asked the CPCB to conduct fresh sampling in April, observing that the earlier assessment was based on samples collected in December 2025, when tourist activity in the area was relatively low.
The CPCB later carried out the sampling on May 4 after its proposed April exercise was disrupted by extensive landslides in Jammu and Kashmir.
The matter was listed before the NGT on August 24, 2026—(KNO)