SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment on Friday inspected the Achan Waste Management Site and adjoining wetlands, reviewed the ₹361-crore Achan legacy waste remediation project and called for immediate action against illegal encroachments and dumping in wetlands.
The committee, led by Chairman M.Y. Tarigami, visited the Achan Waste Management Site at Eidgah and conducted on-site inspections of Anchar, Hokersar and Khushal Sar lakes and their associated wetlands.
The delegation included legislators Mubarik Gul, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), Dr. Sajjad Shafi, Dalip Singh, Salman Sagar and Showkat Hussain Ganie, along with Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department Mandeep Kaur, Secretary JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit, SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb, Chairman of the J&K Pollution Control Committee, Vice Chairman of the J&K Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Chief Engineer, UEED, Joint Commissioners of SMC and other senior officers.
During the visit, the committee reviewed the city’s solid waste management framework, ongoing waste processing operations, the ₹361-crore Achan legacy waste remediation project, leachate treatment systems, environmental safeguards and the overall functioning of the facility. It also assessed the condition of Anchar, Hokersar and Khushal Sar wetlands, focusing on illegal encroachments, degradation of water bodies and the impact of pollution on public health.
The committee also examined measures aimed at strengthening scientific waste processing, improving environmental compliance, enhancing sanitation standards and ensuring sustainable waste disposal in accordance with prescribed environmental norms.
Briefing the committee, SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb highlighted initiatives to modernise municipal solid waste management, including improvements in door-to-door waste collection, source segregation, scientific processing and disposal, infrastructure upgradation and environmentally sustainable sanitation services across Srinagar.
The committee stressed the need to adopt modern technologies, innovative waste-processing solutions and global best practices to transform the Achan Waste Management Site into a scientifically managed and environmentally compliant facility.
While appreciating the initiatives taken by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the committee called for sustained inter-departmental coordination, continuous monitoring, infrastructure augmentation, scientific management of legacy waste and wider adoption of advanced waste-processing technologies.
Expressing concern over rampant illegal landfilling, unauthorised construction and indiscriminate dumping of waste in and around wetlands, Chairman Tarigami said these ecologically sensitive water bodies face serious threats from encroachment and unplanned urban expansion.
The committee directed the concerned departments to initiate immediate action, prepare a comprehensive time-bound plan for the protection and restoration of the wetlands and submit periodic Action Taken Reports on the progress.
The visit, the committee said, reflects its commitment to promoting scientific waste management, environmental conservation, improved urban sanitation and sustainable development across Srinagar.
