SRINAGAR: In a scathing statement that has sent ripples across environmental and public health circles, the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society (JKCS) has raised a strong alarm over what it calls an “escalating environmental and humanitarian crisis” caused by the Achan garbage dumping site near Sangam Eidgah in Srinagar.
Originally established in 1985 as a scientific landfill in collaboration with Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd., the Achan site has, over the years, deteriorated into an unregulated dumping ground sprawling across more than 600 kanals—or roughly 75 acres—of what was once partly a wetland zone. Today, it receives over 500 metric tonnes of unsegregated municipal solid waste each day, with no comprehensive treatment mechanism in place.
Citing scientific observations and public health data, JKCS has warned of toxic leachates seeping into the soil and nearby water bodies, harmful methane emissions worsening air quality, and airborne contaminants posing severe health threats. “We are witnessing a surge in respiratory ailments, skin diseases, and even long-term risks such as cancer,” JKCS said in its statement.
Residents living in the vicinity—including Achan, Eidgah, Sangam, Anchar, Soura, Zoonimar, and Sekidafar—are already grappling with an overwhelming stench, a proliferation of stray dogs, and infestations of disease-carrying insects. However, the crisis now extends far beyond these localities, with foul odours reportedly reaching areas like Jamia Masjid, Lal Bazar, and other parts of Downtown Srinagar.
“There is a visible public health emergency unfolding right before our eyes,” JKCS warned, adding that numerous families are now considering abandoning their ancestral homes simply to find breathable air and a semblance of dignity.
The civil society group has made an urgent and direct appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), demanding immediate relocation of the dumping site to a non-residential, scientifically designated location. “This is not just a local sanitation issue. This is a systemic failure of urban management and an abdication of the state’s responsibility towards its citizens,” JKCS said.
The group has further called on the administration to rigorously enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, ensure proper segregation and scientific treatment of waste, commission independent environmental and health audits—especially around Achan and the ecologically sensitive Anchar Lake—and initiate immediate health interventions for affected populations.
Experts warn that the site’s continued use threatens not only the health of the residents but also the fragile ecological balance of the region. With part of the site encroaching upon what was once a wetland, there is growing concern that underground water channels and surface bodies are being severely contaminated.
JKCS concluded its statement with a strong pledge: “We stand firmly with the affected people and will continue to raise this issue across legal, civic, and media platforms until justice is delivered and this public health crisis is addressed with the urgency it demands.”
