Srinagar, Jul 03 (KNO): The Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Environment Committee on Friday ordered a scientific health impact assessment around the Achan landfill and sought a comprehensive report on illegal encroachment over wetlands and water bodies, following an inspection of Achan, Anchar, Hokersar and Khushal Sar.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said on the occasion of International Plastic Bag Free Day, the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment, under the chairmanship of M.Y. Tarigami, MLA, today conducted an extensive on-site field inspection of the Anchar, Hokersar and Khushal Sar lakes and their associated wetlands, besides inspecting the Achan landfill at Saidapora and adjoining localities to assess the status of solid waste management, illegal encroachments, degradation of water bodies and the impact of pollution on public health.
He said expressing profound anguish over rampant illegal landfilling, unauthorized constructions and indiscriminate dumping of waste in and around the wetlands, the Chairman observed that these ecologically sensitive water bodies are facing serious threats due to encroachments and unplanned urban expansion.
“The Committee directed the concerned departments to initiate immediate action, prepare a comprehensive time-bound action plan for the protection and restoration of these lakes and wetlands, and keep the Committee informed through periodic Action Taken Reports.”
The spokesperson said at the Achan landfill, the Committee expressed serious concern over environmental pollution and its possible impact on the health of nearby residents. The Chairman directed the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department to obtain detailed medical data from SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Soura and other healthcare institutions regarding patients suffering from asthma, COPD, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments in surrounding localities, and to undertake a scientific health impact assessment.
He said the Chairman also noted that residents of areas adjoining the landfill have demanded relocation to safer places because of persistent foul odour, unhygienic conditions and concerns about adverse health effects. He directed the authorities to examine these concerns scientifically and submit appropriate recommendations.
“Taking strong exception to illegal encroachments over water bodies, the Committee directed the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, through the Housing & Urban Development Department, to prepare a comprehensive report identifying all illegal landfilling, encroachments and unauthorized constructions—including residential houses, palatial bungalows, shopping complexes and commercial establishments—raised over lakes, wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas, irrespective of the identity or influence of the encroachers.”
“The Committee further directed that the report be placed before the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir, to facilitate appropriate policy intervention. During the inspection, the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department directed the Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to submit within one month a comprehensive scientific remediation and reclamation plan for the Achan landfill and to prepare a detailed inventory of all illegal landfill sites, unauthorized dumping locations and encroachments affecting water bodies for legal action,” said the spokesperson.
He said the Committee also reviewed the status of the Rs 361-crore Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Project for the Achan dumping site. The SMC Commissioner informed the Committee that the tender for the project—which includes an 800 TPD Integrated Solid Waste Management facility, biomining of legacy waste and scientific remediation of the landfill—has already been floated.
He stated that prospective bidders have raised certain pre-bid technical queries, which are being addressed, and expressed confidence that the tendering process would be completed within the next ten days. The Committee directed that the project be implemented transparently and without delay considering the serious environmental and public health concerns associated with the landfill.
The Committee also reviewed observations contained in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report on Solid Waste Management and stressed the need for scientific waste processing, proper treatment of legacy waste and leachate, effective environmental safeguards and strict enforcement of environmental laws.
Addressing officers and local residents, the Chairman said that our visit should serve as a reminder that environmental protection is not merely symbolic but requires sustained action.
He stressed that conservation of lakes, wetlands and water bodies is not the responsibility of the Committee, the Government, the administration or local residents alone, but a shared responsibility of every citizen. He urged all stakeholders to work with honesty, sincerity and coordination to protect Srinagar's fragile ecosystem and preserve its lakes and wetlands for future generations.
The spokesperson said the on-site field inspection was led by M.Y. Tarigami, MLA, Chairman of the Committee. Committee Members Dr. Sajjad Shafi, Salman Sagar and Javaid Riyaz (Bedar) accompanied the Chairman, while Mubarak Gul, MLA Eidgah, participated as Special Invitee.
The inspection was also attended by the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Secretary, J&K Legislative Assembly, senior officers of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, the district administration and officials of the J&K Legislative Assembly Secretariat—(KNO)