Eid-ul-Azha Waste Management Drive Intensifies in Kashmir: Over 104 Hopper Vehicles Deployed in Srinagar | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Amid the large-scale sacrifice of animals during Eid-ul-Azha across Kashmir, religious leaders, municipal authorities and civil society organisations have launched an extensive campaign urging people to scientifically dispose of animal offal and hides to prevent environmental pollution and public health risks.

This year, imams in mosques across Srinagar and other districts repeatedly used Eid sermons and prayer gatherings to caution worshippers against dumping sacrificial waste in water bodies, roadsides and open spaces. Clerics highlighted the ecological and hygienic dangers posed by improper disposal and warned that discarded remains were contributing to the growing stray dog menace in many areas.

Authorities said there have been reports from parts of Srinagar and its outskirts of animal remains being dumped into the Dal Lake and nearby rivers, raising concerns over contamination of water bodies and choking of drainage channels.

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation said it has put in place a comprehensive mechanism for the collection and disposal of sacrificial waste across the city during Eid-ul-Azha.

SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb said the corporation would ensure door-to-door collection of animal hides and urged residents not to dump them in drains, on roads or near water bodies.

“We urge people not to throw animal hides into drains or on roads. These should be handed over to the SMC, following which we will dispose of them properly,” he said.

He warned that careless disposal of hides could severely affect the city’s drainage network and pollute water bodies.

Officials said more than 104 cooper vehicles, including hopper vehicles and sanitation carriers, have been deployed across Srinagar for the collection and transportation of sacrificial waste during the festival days.

The SMC said its control room has been made fully functional to address public complaints and coordinate sanitation operations. Ward-wise details, including contact numbers of officials and designated collection vehicles, have already been circulated among residents to ensure timely collection and quick response.

The corporation also appealed to people to use the free hopper services for disposal of sacrificial waste and cooperate in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene during Eid-ul-Azha.

Similar arrangements have been made in other districts as well. In south Kashmir, Municipal Council Anantnag constituted special squads for the collection of animal hides across all 23 wards of the municipality.

Secretary of the council, Assadulla Kumar, said the squads would remain active during all three days of Eid-ul-Azha to ensure proper collection and disposal of hides.

“The initiative has been taken to maintain cleanliness and sanitation during the festive days and to facilitate the public,” Kumar said, appealing to residents to cooperate with municipal workers.

Several non-governmental organisations have also joined the awareness and collection drive. SRO established temporary animal hide collection stalls at Lal Mandi, Tengpora Chowk near Aman Deep Hospital, Mominabad and Bonapora in Batamaloo, urging people to bring hides to designated collection points.

The organisation appealed to residents to support efforts aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring proper disposal of sacrificial waste during the festival.