Baramulla, Dec 16 (KNO): Residents of Warapora Tangmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have expressed concerns over a waste material shed in the locality, which is posing safety risks by attracting wild animals.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the improper waste management practices have led to overflowing waste scattered along the roadside. This poses safety risks and creates an unfavourable living environment, they said.
The segregation shed, constructed five months ago for the Warapora village under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II, promised safe waste management in every gram panchayat; however, we are witnessing incidents of wild animals, and stray dogs, being attracted to the waste management shed, said social activist Jahangir Bhat. Bhat said the unpleasant odours and the presence of animals cause distress to residents, especially children and the elderly.
Abdul Rahim Rather, a senior citizen and member of the local Jamia Auqaf, said there is a fear of encounters between wild animals and residents, which poses a risk to the safety of human lives. “We resisted the construction of a shed as it is on the main road and also near the residential houses and a high school, but couldn’t succeed,” Rather said.
“Now, we fear for our lives due to the presence of wild animals.” Residents have called for proper waste disposal practices to prevent the attraction of wild animals and ensure the safety and well-being of the people. Attempts to contact Block Development Officer (BDO) Tangmarg, Mushtaq Ahmed, were unsuccessful.
However, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Tangmarg/Gulmarg, Syed Altaf Hussain, acknowledged the issue. Hussain informed KNO that he had directed the concerned BDO to remove the waste from the shed. He assured that the waste material would be lifted within 2-3 days, and would be followed by a proper plan and mechanism for waste management—(KNO)