SRINAGAR, July 7: In a bid to preserve the pristine ecology of north Kashmir’s Gurez valley, the civil administration has imposed a complete ban on single-use polythene and announced heavy penalties, including a Rs 5,000 challan against tourists found littering.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by local MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), who expressed disappointment over the massive accumulation of plastic waste that has turned the tourist destination into a garbage dump.
“The unchecked littering, particularly by domestic tourists, has brought embarrassment to the administration. Even visiting dignitaries and military spouses have complained.
According to the new directives accessed Kashmir Convener, any individual found carrying or throwing plastic will be fined Rs 1,000 on the spot. In a move specifically targeting tourists, those caught tossing plastic from vehicles will have their vehicle numbers noted, and a Rs 5,000 challan will be dispatched to their residential addresses, officials said.
Shopkeepers have also been put on notice, with a Rs 5,000 fine for allowing polythene or plastic waste inside or outside their establishments, they added.
To prevent plastic from entering the valley, check posts will be set up at Tragbal and Pethkoot, the two main entry points to Gurez. Police and civil administration personnel will inspect vehicles, confiscate prohibited items, and instruct tourists against littering. The Indian Army has offered assistance at the Tragbal check post, officials said.
In a significant move to reduce dependency on packaged drinking water, three industrial-grade RO water purification plants with a capacity of 500 to 1,000 litres per hour will be installed at Tragbal, Razdan, and Kanzalwan. The MLA has allocated Rs 3-5 lakh from the Constituency Development Fund for the project, with the Army extending support for water and electricity connections, they said.
Tourists will be required to carry glass or steel bottles and refill them at these stations, the meeting decided.
Hotels and tent accommodations have been directed to stop providing plastic water bottles to guests and instead serve local spring water in glass bottles or jugs. All establishments must maintain three separate dustbins for dry, wet, and plastic waste, with the SDM authorised to order immediate closure of non-compliant units, officials said.
The administration has also mandated construction of proper soakage pits and septic tanks to prevent wastewater from flowing into public drains and the river.
The Block Development Officer has been directed to immediately hire at least five sanitation workers to clear existing garbage along roads and markets. A second garbage collection vehicle is being repaired and will be operational this week to increase collection frequency, officials added.
In a unique directive, all government employees residing in the area must register for municipal garbage collection and pay a mandatory fee of Rs 100 per month. Drawing and Disbursing Officers have been instructed to withhold salaries of employees who fail to produce the sanitation fee receipt.
A joint inspection team comprising the BDO, CHO, Tehsildar, and police will conduct weekly surprise checks and issue on-the-spot challans to violators.
The meeting also addressed food safety concerns, with the Tehsildar directed to rigorously check the quality of meat entering the region following complaints of spoiled food being sold at Razdan.
A proposal to install CCTV cameras across the market area at an estimated cost of Rs 5-6 lakh was discussed to monitor littering and improve tourist safety.
The MLA also took note of complaints regarding a broken ultrasound machine at the local hospital and assured that a replacement had been arranged, while urging the department to ensure proper warranty and maintenance contracts for future purchases.
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