Mounting pollution, garbage push river Jhelum to brink in Baramulla

Baramulla, Jan 12: The River Jhelum, the lifeline of Baramulla and a key source of sustenance for its people, is gasping for survival as pollution and unchecked garbage dumping take a heavy toll on its fragile ecosystem.

For centuries, the Jhelum has been the backbone of Kashmir’s civilisation—supplying drinking water, supporting agriculture, enabling river transport and shaping the cultural and economic life of settlements along its banks. Today, however, its condition in Baramulla presents a grim and alarming picture.

Large stretches of the river passing through the town have dried up due to prolonged dry weather, exposing heaps of plastic waste, polythene bags and household garbage littered along the riverbanks. Locals say rampant dumping has worsened the crisis.

Mounds of plastic waste have accumulated along the banks, choking natural flow points and contaminating the remaining water, residents said. Environmentalists warn that plastic pollution not only harms aquatic life but also poses serious risks to the quality of drinking water drawn from the river.

A significant portion of Baramulla’s population depends directly or indirectly on the Jhelum for drinking water and daily needs. Despite this dependence, public apathy towards the river’s conservation remains evident.

“We are equally responsible for the deteriorating condition of the River Jhelum. It is not just the government that should be blamed; citizens must also introspect and change their behaviour,” said Bilal Ahmad, a resident.

He said indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic have pushed the river to the brink.

Ahmad stressed that strict enforcement of the plastic ban could play a crucial role in protecting the river. “If plastic is effectively banned and alternatives are promoted, a large portion of the pollution problem can be addressed,” he said.

Another major concern raised by residents is the garbage dumping site at Jetty Baramulla, located dangerously close to the riverbank. Tonnes of waste from across the district are dumped at the site every day, posing a direct threat to the river’s ecosystem and affecting the lives of nearby residents.

The situation worsens during rainy spells, when chemical leachate from the dumping site flows directly into the river, further contaminating the water. Experts warn that such toxic runoff can have long-term consequences for human health and aquatic biodiversity.

Residents and civil society groups have urged the administration to take urgent and decisive action. Their demands include relocating the dumping site away from the river, adopting scientific waste management practices, conducting regular cleaning drives and launching sustained awareness campaigns to sensitise people about the river’s importance.

“The River Jhelum is a stark reminder that neglecting nature comes at a cost,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, another resident. “It is a shared responsibility—otherwise, the lifeline of the town may soon become yet another environmental casualty.”