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Written by: Rayees Magray

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 20 July 2017

PAHALGAM: The sewage that is discharged form toilets, bathrooms and Langars of Yatri camps is drained into the river Lidder which stinks like hell and is literally poison for local aquatic life in Pahalgam, alleges local environmentalists.  They said that the stench form this water is so strong and insufferable that one cannot even stand near the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) outlet near Nunwanan Pahalgam.
 
“The situation is even worse at other camp sites like Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Poshpatri,Panjtarni, Holy cave and Baltal. The board is spending a considerable amount on constructions etc but no attention is being paid to sanitation and other sensitive issues Pahalgami said. The negligence however, is causing much damage to glaciers and local ecology, including the shiv lingam itself”, Mushtaq Pahalgami, an environmental activist told PRESS TRUST OF KASHMIR. Locals also said that the issue commands urgent attention and needs to be addressed with sincerity and commitment, before it's too late in the face of permanent and irreversible damage to the glacier region's sensitive ecology.

While talking to PRESS TRUST OF KAH CEO,Pahalgam, Mushtaq Simnani said we have made toilets and dustbins available for the tourists and Yatries in every corner of Pahalgam. Due to over rush of tourists such things may happen but we try our level best to keep this beautiful destination green and clean. “Government needs to take proper care of such things during Yatra time particularly when it becomes difficult to keep a check on things that spoils the beauty of this beautiful place, he added”.