The lights were installed by the local administration in coordination with the Science and Technology Department to illuminate the wooded area and reduce risks from wild animal encounters—a constant fear in the region.

“Lakhs of rupees were spent on installing the lights for the ease of commuters,” said Sajad Ahmad, a local resident. “The road is risky and the area is pitch dark at night.”

Locals say around 30 lights were installed, but only a few remain functional. They have demanded immediate repairs to restore the lighting system.

The post Solar street lights in Khenusa ‘mostly defunct’ appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Locals say the crisis has persisted for years, complicated by jurisdictional confusion as areas on both sides of the riverbanks fall under different administrative bodies—the block on one side and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) on the other.

“Areas like Tangpora and Hilalabad to Nand Kishore temple fall under the block, whereas areas from the other side come under ULB,” said Shafiq Ahmad, a local resident.

“Massive garbage dumping from commercial establishments and households on both sides has been affecting the river for years.”

The situation in Tangpora is particularly dire. “The spot is filled with plastic waste, and at times even animal carcasses are dumped here,” locals said. “It is a health hazard which should be strictly banned and violators taken to task.”

Nazir Ahmad, President of Sumbal Traders Federation, alleged garbage collection on the rural side is “not being done properly.” He said even town areas under ULB, which were declared “garbage-free” some time ago, witness the Municipal Committee collecting garbage and dumping it outside the Eidgah, near the hospital.

“Although the garbage is then taken to the Shalpora recycling plant, the seepage left at the collection site emanates a foul smell the whole day,” Nazir said.

He said despite several representations to both ULB and block officials, little action has been taken. The lack of oversight and giving a “free hand to violators” continues to add to the mess, he added.

“I am shocked to see how human greed has polluted and destroyed what was once our lifeline,” said Bilal Nasir Zargar, a local environmentalist. “The river that gave us water, life, and identity is now suffocating under our waste. This is not just pollution but a cruel theft of natural resources from the next generation. If we do not act today, tomorrow there may be nothing left to save.”

Block Development Officer (BDO) Sumbal, Majid Iqbal, acknowledged the problem, saying most violators dump garbage at the site “in the dead of night or during wee hours.” He revealed that only 30 percent of the block’s population pays the monthly fee for the door-to-door garbage collection vehicle that operates twice a week.

The officer assured action if violators are caught and said spots found littered with garbage would be cleaned within days if reported.

The Jhelum, once the lifeline of Kashmir, continues to serve as a source of drinking water for many areas—making the unchecked pollution even more alarming.

The post Plastic waste chokes Jhelum at Sumbal appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Garbage disposal at the Zalwan site, on lake banks, has been taking place since 1962 and with the increase in population, it now receives tonnes of waste daily. At present, the Municipal Council collects garbage from 17 wards of the town area and dumps it at the site with minimal post-dumping treatment. Although the site had been slightly moved in 2020 and later fenced, it has still continued contributing to irreparable damage to the ecology of the lake and its nearby areas.  It has also consumed a nearby stream, suffocating it under garbage, and is now encroaching upon farmers’ paddy fields.  Furthermore, the site has become an eyesore for the local population and acts as a spoilsport for children playing in the nearby ground.

Even though the administration had promised over the years to shift the site, it had failed miserably thus far, even inviting the wrath of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had also raised objections to installing a segregation plant worth Rs 6 crore at the site. On Monday, officials informed Greater Kashmir that they have achieved a breakthrough in shifting the site. The project has received approval and is out for tendering, worth Rs 1.98 crore.

When asked if this facility too would impact Wular Lake, officials assured that the garbage will be treated scientifically to minimise environmental impact. The new location, spanning 10 kanals, will treat garbage using scientific waste management methods, according to officials. The facility will include a plastic recycler for plastic waste and waste composting machines to treat dry and wet waste separately. It will also house an Animal Birth Control (ABC) facility to keep a check on the stray dog population. Officials also informed that bioremediation of biological waste will be conducted at the Wular bank to clear it out. “The scientific intervention will help us get rid of all the garbage which has accumulated there over the years,” Bandipora Municipal Council Executive Engineer Aijaz Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.

The 30 kanals of land owned by the department at the present site will be utilised to create a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) worth Rs 20 crore, for which officials said no permission was required. However, the STP is intended to treat domestic sewage reaching the facility via the town’s drainage network, for which the UEED will formulate a new DPR in consultation with the ULB department.

“Till the time the project is completed, which seems to take longer, the STP will treat water from Gader Kaul,” the officer said. The officials predicted the dumping site will move in the next fiscal or by ending 2026.

The post Garbage dumping site on Wular lake’s banks set to be relocated appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Officials announced on Monday that the update to the original 2007 plan was long overdue and is now being redesigned to address mounting ecological threats. The authority is working with the Bandipora district administration to create a new strategy that includes detailed feedback from local communities, stakeholders and experts. The decision was formally announced during a “Stakeholder Workshop for Discussion on Revision of Comprehensive Management Action Plan for Wular Lake: Past Measures and Future Strategies” held at mini secretariat in Bandipora, where stakeholders and officers of multiple departments held discussions on “holistic” development of the lake, going forward.

Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Altaf Hussain, DCF Coordinator Water Management, WUCMA, admitted that the review process should have taken place earlier but is now being prioritised to cover all aspects of the lake’s conservation. “The time for its revision is due; in fact, it should have happened a bit earlier,” Hussain said. He added that since they are now revising the plan, they invited all stakeholders “so that we can make this Management Plan holistic.” The authority has formally recorded about 16 to 17 major challenges facing the lake. While siltation remains a long-standing issue, Hussain said that solid waste has emerged as a critical problem that they are struggling to manage. “Solid waste is a big challenge we are trying to deal with,” he said.

Hussain also shared new data regarding the lake’s hydrology. While the Jhelum, Erin and Madhumati rivers are the known primary sources, the authority’s latest surveys have mapped a much larger network. “Along with them, we identified 22 to 23 other channels through which water reaches Wular,” Hussain said. “They need to be restored; that is a big challenge in front of us.”

The authority is also shifting its strategy for removing silt from the lake. While around 4.5 square kilometres of the lake were dredged in the previous cycle between 2020 and 2023, officials note that approximately 27 square kilometres of the lake remain critically silted. The department is now introducing a new operational model designed to be financially sustainable to tackle this vast area.

“The department is trying to revive desiltation again with a new model,” Hussain said. “We have devised that model with the consent of the government in such a way that the cost incurred will be very low, and we can still desilt many areas of Wular.” Due to the massive size of the lake, the authority has divided the critically silted areas into blocks to execute the work in phases. “We cannot do it all at once; it is a huge task,” Hussain said. “The first phase, which I hope we can start next year, we are doing from the Banyari side. After that, the Kanyari side will be our second focus.”

Local stakeholders welcomed the revision but raised pressing concerns about pollution and economic distress. Ghulam Hassan, President of the Bandipora Fishermen Association, who attended the workshop, said that unscientific waste disposal is destroying the lake. “Garbage from all districts flows into Wular,” Hassan said. He added that they discussed the issue and demanded that “dumping sites should be moved to places where the waste won’t enter Wular.” He urged the administration to listen to the local community because “the pulse of Wular is best known to the fishermen.” He also highlighted the severe economic impact of the lake’s decline on thousands of families. “Water chestnuts have decreased, fish have decreased,” Hassan said. “Our life is this Wular. We cannot let our children study or survive without it.” The revised plan also focuses on promoting tourism that does not damage the ecosystem. Hussain said the authority wants to build eco-tourism centres and small parks on the lake dykes, some of which are ongoing, but ruled out any heavy construction. “These will be absolutely eco-friendly; there won’t be big concrete infrastructure,” Hussain said. “We want to promote boat rides and water tourism with local communities in a sustainable way.” Bird watching is another key focus area. Hussain said they are training local youth to become bird guides so they can earn a livelihood. He noted that the annual bird census is scheduled for February. “Last year, the wetland network recorded more than 13 lakh birds,” he said, referring to Kashmir wetlands in overall. He added that the migratory birds continue to see the lake as a safe habitat, sharing an observation from Monday morning. “I feel there were at least 80000 to 90000 birds just in that group,” Hussain said. “This is an indicator that birds visit our wetlands and consider our wetlands a proper habitat.”

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Residents of Panaar and adjoining villages, home to around 1,500 households, say they are compelled to walk nearly half the distance as mini-bus drivers operate only up to a midway point. “They don’t consider us human,” an elderly resident of Panaar Abdul Salam, said. The villages are inhabited by a mixed tribal population.

According to the villagers, mini-buses ply only up to Aham Shareef village, located nearly four kilometres from Panaar. “We don’t even negotiate the fare and are willing to pay extra, but no one seems to take heed,” the villagers said. They alleged that their repeated enquiries to the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) have gone unanswered, with officials maintaining that, as per records, transport services are available. “But the ground reality is entirely different,” the villagers said, alleging that drivers routinely refuse to serve them. They said numerous applications and requests submitted to the ARTO have been ignored. “More than five years ago, transporters cited the dilapidated condition of the road as a reason for not operating here. The road has been blacktopped for years now, yet no one agrees to come,” the villagers said. They added that men, women and children are forced to walk long distances daily, a task that is particularly burdensome as not everyone can afford to hire private transport. The situation they say is compounded during emergencies. The villagers have appealed to the present ARTO to take a compassionate view of the matter and direct mini-bus operators to extend services to their villages.

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Danish, popularly known as “Ibn-e-Batuta” and often dubbed a “madman” by locals, has become the second youth from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district to explore 100 alpine lakes across Jammu and Kashmir.

Inspired by his grandfather, Danish began exploring nearby lakes in 2014.

Mir would travel using local transport and spend nights at the homes of tribals along with friends. However, he initially lacked the courage to venture far beyond his district.

The first lake he explored was Sheera Sar in Bandipora.

“My grandfather would tell me stories of how he travelled through the mountains while grazing cattle. Those stories fascinated me and sparked an urge to explore nature closely,” Mir said.

Beyond lakes, Mir also explores lesser-known trekking trails and caves across Jammu and Kashmir. His passion further extends to participating in marathons and undertaking long-distance cycling journeys to spread awareness about environmental concerns and the need to preserve natural assets.

Since 2014, Mir’s journey has been non-stop. He uses every available holiday—mostly Sundays—to explore new places.

Whether summer or winter, rain or snow, Mir is always on the move, a dedication that earned him the nickname “Ibn-e-Batuta”.

A turning point came in 2019 when Mir secured a government job.

“This gave me financial stability and allowed me to purchase proper gear for more demanding adventures in extreme weather,” he said.

He also bought a motorcycle, enabling him to travel longer distances and explore more locations across Jammu and Kashmir.

His journey gained further momentum when he joined the Path Finders Club. “Being with like-minded people helped me explore more places,” he said.

Mir’s love for nature runs deep. Initially, he carried disposable items for food but made it a habit to bring all waste back for proper disposal.

“I now carry food in utensils, completely cutting down on disposable items,” he said.

What troubles him most is witnessing commercial trekking routes littered with plastic and other waste.

He urged the tourism department to frame strict guidelines for tour operators, including banning plastic from mountain expeditions to preserve the region’s natural serenity.

Earlier this month, Mir completed his milestone of exploring 100 alpine lakes by visiting Durinaar II in Sonamarg.

He believes Bandipora holds immense potential as an adventure tourism destination.

While hiking routes in Gurez are already being explored, Mir said that with proper accommodation and infrastructure, Bandipora division could also emerge as a leading tourist destination.

The post Bandipora’s Danish Nabi explores 100 alpine lakes across J&K appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

During summers, Mir serves salted yoghurt drink (lassi). With the onset of winter, he switches to Kashmir’s famed kahwa, catering to the changing tastes.

“No job is small when it comes to achieving financial independence and self-sustenance,” Mir told Greater Kashmir.

Soft-spoken and humble, Mir treats every customer with respect, reflecting his values and educational background as a diploma holder in civil engineering.

Mir completed his diploma from Government Polytechnic College, Ganderbal, in 2023. After failing to secure admission to a BTech programme, he chose not to remain idle and instead strove to become financially independent.

He currently helps support his family, which includes his parents and younger sister. His father works as a driver.

Earlier this year, Mir explored several business ideas but soon realised that most small traders in the market were selling similar products and struggling to sustain themselves.

“The vendors in the market were selling the same items. I felt I needed to do something different,” he said.

He eventually installed a stall and began selling fresh yoghurt-based drinks. From sourcing authentic curd to serving freshly prepared lassi, Mir quickly built a customer base, offering relief to pedestrians and market-goers.

As winter approached, he switched to selling egg rolls, but rumours surrounding egg consumption adversely affected his business.

“The rumours completely pushed me out of that business,” Mir said.

Although initially shaken, his determination to remain financially independent helped him overcome the setback. He soon took another initiative — selling kahwa.

Within a short time, his cart was fitted with a traditional samovar, simmering with freshly brewed kahwa, served hot with Kashmiri kulcha and enriched with spices and dry fruits to help people brave the biting cold.

“With the Almighty’s help, business has been good, and people come specifically to relish the kahwa I prepare,” Mir said.

Despite embracing self-employment, Mir has not given up on his academic aspirations. He continues to explore opportunities for further studies or a stable job.

“There is no shame in doing odd jobs. Choosing dignity over damaging one’s mental health or falling into depression should never be a compromise,” he said.

The post ‘No job is small when it comes to achieving financial independence’ appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The administration sought cooperation from the public and advised people not to plan travel unless fresh orders are issued by the SDM’s office.

Meanwhile, Traffic Control Points (TCPs) at Kanzalwan and Bandipora were also directed to maintain vigil.

SDM Gurez, Mukhtar Ahmad, told Greater Kashmir that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which looks after snow clearance on the Bandipora-Gurez Road, is fully prepared and will soon press into action after snowfall.

He said the divisional administration’s Mechanical Department was also ready with 10 snow cutters to clear inner link roads as and when snowfall occurs.

The SDM said the fuel required for operating the machines had already been dumped in Gurez.

Regarding a possible power shutdown, he said that if the transmission line supplying electricity to Gurez from Bandipora develops a fault, diesel-generated power would be provided to consumers, for which sufficient fuel had been kept available.

He said that the administration can also utilise power supply from the Kishanganga Dam Sites 2.4 MW power plant, in case the fault in the main transmission line persists for a longer duration.

“At present, we are receiving around 1 MW from the plant for domestic consumption,” he said.

The SDM said that LPG cylinders, medicines, and ration had been stocked until May. He said that two review meetings had already been held to assess the availability of essential supplies in the Gurez Valley.

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The footbridge once served as a crucial link for residents travelling to the town’s market area, government offices, and schools. A wooden bridge that had connected communities for decades was demolished in 2013 after developing cracks.

Before its demolition, the government promised a replacement. The Roads and Buildings (R&B) department began constructing a 99-meter bridge in 2014, but work halted shortly after that year’s devastating floods, leaving villagers stranded and forcing them to cross the river by boat.

“There has been no progress, nothing at all on the footbridge,” Nazir Ahmad, president of the Sumbal Traders Association, told Greater Kashmir.

Officials at the time cited problems with piling, saying the contractor had failed to remove remnants of the old bridge, causing technical issues that required the project to be redesigned. However, no further action was taken.

The bridge was later listed among languishing projects, but work never resumed. Authorities blamed the contractor for failing to execute the project, and the issue eventually led to investigations and court involvement.

Business losses mount

“The issue has ruined our businesses,” Ahmad said, adding that many businessmen who took bank loans have become defaulters after losing nearly half their customers due to poor connectivity.

Villages including Nesbal, Naninara, Tangpora, Safapora, Hakbara, and Asham, along with several smaller hamlets, have lost convenient access to the subdivision’s market area. Residents now travel longer distances to reach government offices, schools, colleges, and hospitals in Sumbal town.

“The subdivision office is located in the town near the market, and people from dozens of villages on the other side of the river face immense inconvenience without the bridge,” Ahmad said.

Safety concerns

Most residents from adjacent villages use boats to cross the river, including many schoolchildren and students travelling to tuition classes.

“The daily commute keeps parents constantly worried as the fear of a tragedy looms over them,” Ahmad said.

Executive Engineer R&B Sumbal Tanveer Ahmad acknowledged that the issue has been pending for a long time. He said he has gathered details and will try to find a breakthrough to resume the project, though he sounded sceptical given the prolonged delays.

The post Sumbal footbridge work abandoned for over a decade appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

General Officer Commanding, Kilo Force, Major General Tushar Sharma, VSM, was the chief guest. Indu Kanwal Chib, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Brigadier Hemant Singh Ponwar, VSM, Commander 3 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, and SSP Bandipora Ajaz Zargar alongwith other security forces and district administration officials were also present, said a press release. The finale witnessed the presence of renowned Bollywood and local artists including Tinu Verma, Mir Sarwar, Shahid Latief, Nazir Josh, Qayoom Badshah, Saniya Mir, Simran K and singer Ishfaq Kawa, adding colour and vibrancy to the event.

Despite the chilling winter conditions, a large number of youth, including men, women and children, participated enthusiastically.

Cultural performances by the artists kept the audience engaged and uplifted the spirit of the gathering. Launched in 2023 at Wular Vantage Park, Kashmiruk Fankaar has grown significantly in scale and impact. Season III was conducted from December 3 to December 20, 2025, in three phases focusing on sports, social awareness and competitive cultural activities. Army officials reiterated that such initiatives aim to positively channelize youthful energy and contribute to peace, progress and social cohesion in the region.

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