Baltal, July 30 (Newswire): Unabated pollution of ferocious Sindh stream here along the Amarnath Yatra route is posing risk to health of local people who consume its contaminated water.
The aggrieved locals said that in blatant violation of court orders, authorities have permitted pitching of tents for Yatris within 200 meters of the stream.
"Tons of garbage dumped on banks of the stream during the Yatra has become a major source of pollution for the water body and poses risk of various water borne diseases among people here," said Bashir Ahmad Mir, president Baltal Traders Union.
"Sewage generated from hotels, yatra camps and residential areas is discharged directly into open drains which subsequently empty into the stream. This is sheer vandalisation of fragile eco-system here," Mir said.
Environmentalists maintain that continued pollution of the stream will affect its carrying capacity. "Many water supplying plants which cater to scores of villages here, are fed by Sindh stream. Continuous pollution of the stream is likely to cause water borne disease and affect a huge chunk of population here. The pollution would also pose a threat to the stream's aquatic life," said Dr Firdous Ahmad, an environmentalist said.
Another environmentalist, Nisar Ahmad, said increase in the duration of Yatra for one to two months has also affected eco-system here.
"Unabated pollution and extensive pressure on eco-system here has led to increase in pollution in the area. This has also affected formation of lingam this year," he added.
The aggrieved locals said that in blatant violation of court orders, authorities have permitted pitching of tents for Yatris within 200 meters of the stream.
"Tons of garbage dumped on banks of the stream during the Yatra has become a major source of pollution for the water body and poses risk of various water borne diseases among people here," said Bashir Ahmad Mir, president Baltal Traders Union.
"Sewage generated from hotels, yatra camps and residential areas is discharged directly into open drains which subsequently empty into the stream. This is sheer vandalisation of fragile eco-system here," Mir said.
Environmentalists maintain that continued pollution of the stream will affect its carrying capacity. "Many water supplying plants which cater to scores of villages here, are fed by Sindh stream. Continuous pollution of the stream is likely to cause water borne disease and affect a huge chunk of population here. The pollution would also pose a threat to the stream's aquatic life," said Dr Firdous Ahmad, an environmentalist said.
Another environmentalist, Nisar Ahmad, said increase in the duration of Yatra for one to two months has also affected eco-system here.
"Unabated pollution and extensive pressure on eco-system here has led to increase in pollution in the area. This has also affected formation of lingam this year," he added.
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