Garbage chokes Awantipora canal putting local irrigation at risk

Bijbehara, Feb 9: The Awantipora Canal, a major source of irrigation for large parts of South Kashmir, is increasingly facing pollution due to plastic waste and household garbage dumped along its banks, raising concerns among farmers and residents dependent on it for agriculture.

The canal originates near Pahalgam and passes through several villages, including Wopzan, Marhama, and Kaigam, to many parts of Awantipora. supplying irrigation water to agricultural fields and orchards across the belt. However, in many stretches, the canal is clogged with polythene bags, plastic bottles, food waste, and other domestic refuse.

Residents living along the canal banks are accused of frequently dumping garbage directly into the waterway. “Plastic and garbage get stuck at narrow points of the canal stoping the water flow, This contaminated water also harms the soil of our orchards,” said Shahid Bashir.

Local farmers say the pollution has affected water flow and irrigation schedules. “We depend on this canal for our crops. The water is dirty now, and at times it does not reach our fields properly,” said GulamNabi Bhat, a farmer.

Apart from plastic waste, the concerned department and many locals point out that cow dung is often piled up along the canal banks by the nearby residents, which they say produces foul smell and adds to pollution. During low flow periods, garbage and waste accumulate at several points, causing blockages and foul smell. Environmental concerns are also growing, with experts warning that plastic waste may harm soil quality and contaminated water used for farming.

An official of the concerned department said that repeated notices have been issued from time to time, including announcements through local masjids, urging people not to pollute the canal. “We have noticed many times that people are throwing garbage into the canal and piling cow dung along its banks, which blocks the path along the banks, pollutes the canal and puts the protection bunds at risk,” an official said. He added that awareness efforts are ongoing and stressed that community cooperation is essential to protect the canal.

Many residents of different villages living along the canal said we used to drink from this canal years ago, and now we can’t even use it for our crops.

Junaid Ahmad from Marhama village also said that announcements have been made locally, advising people not to dump waste into the canal or pile up cow dung on its banks. He further informed that a cleanliness drive to clean the canal banks has been scheduled on February 11. Residents are now demanding sustained awareness campaigns, strict checks on dumping, and continued community participation to prevent further pollution of the canal. For now, the Awantipora Canal continues to carry both irrigation water and untreated waste, posing risks to agriculture and the surrounding environment.