PAHALGAM: Forest and Environment Minister Ch. Lal Singh visited Pahalgam today and expressed concern and anguish over Municipal Committee Pahalgam illegally dumping garbage near water bodies and strictly warned it not to do so especially since it is an environmentally sensitive area and dumping garbage here would also raise health concerns for thousands of people living downstream.
He also warned to put behind bars anybody who continues to so and appreciated the efforts of Pahalgam Civil Society for environmental conservation. The Coalition of Unions, Pahalgam appreciates Lal Singh's concern and conviction and Environmentalist Mushtaq Pahalgami has reiterated his and his people's commitment to work for the environment and expressed joy over their efforts being appreciated and hope that action would now be taken against those responsible.
He also appealed to the minister to issue orders for constructing an environment friendly park at the site where the MCP is dumping garbage near the water body at Sarbal so that students of the Islamic school, those who come to offer prayers there at the shrine, and those living downstream do not fall ill again and again. The Himalayan Welfare Organization, Pahalgam has been fighting a long battle at moving the MCP and PDA and the government has also received funds for the site but no action has been taken so far. The Himalayan welfare Organization and Coalition of unions pahalgam also appreciated the minister's strict instructions to officers on the issue and his decision to order the Divisional Forest Office Lidder Forest Division to permanently depute somebody at the site to ensure garbage is not dumped there anymore.