Doodhpathri (Budgam), Sep 03: In absence of basic sanitation facilities, Kashmir’s famous tourist resort- Doodhpathri has literally turned into a dumping ground – for which locals and visitors held Doodhpathri Development Authority (DDA) responsible.
After entering Doodhpathri area, one can see garbage littered everywhere which raises questions over the functioning of its authority.
Heaps of garbage in the bowl shaped meadows presents an example of lackadaisical approach of DDA towards Budgam’s most visited tourist spot. The DDA, which was obliged to keep track on sanitation, is nowhere to be seen on the ground.
Locals here told ‘Kashmir Images’ that the DDA has neglected Doodhpathri. They said that the garbage including polythenes, plastic bottles, chips packets and other wastage has polluted the area.
“The presence of polythenes and other non-biodegradable substance here clearly indicates how DDA is turning away from its responsibilities.”
A local, Altaf Ahmad, said that neither the DDA removes mounds of waste material from the meadows nor it has kept any required waste containers in the area.
He further said that the scattered garbage is spilling into the Shaliganga River which passes through Doodhpathri.
Locals said that Shaliganga is a major source of water to a large chunk of population.
Imtiyaz Ahmad, a visitor told ‘Kashmir Images’ that when there is not a proper mechanism of sanitation in place, visitors either threw waste material near river or in meadows.
He added that baring some dustbins, the DDA has not provided any sound sanitation system to Doodhpathri.
While, others said that both the visitors and DDA have contributed in polluting the tourist resort.
Further, according to locals, the ubiquitous scrap and smell emanating from it, has caused huge inconvenience to visitors and has taken sheen off the ecologically fragile- Doodhpathri to a large extent.
They urged government to take interest in cleanliness of Doodhpathri and provide necessary garbage lifting arrangements.
Meanwhile, Additional District Development Commissioner Budgam, Khurshid Ahmad Sanie, who has been given additional charge of Chief Executive Officer, DDA, shifted blamed on tea stall owners for polluting the resort. “We have issued notice to illegal occupants and in a week they will be removed from the area.”
He admitted that DDA has not provided sufficient dustbins to the area. Adding that in coming days there would be visible change in sanitation.
