With the intense heat wave sweeping across the plains and driving tourists toward Kashmir’s upper hill regions, but the surge in tourist footfall at off-beat destinations has raised serious environmental concerns, especially due to unregulated and careless waste disposal by visitors.
Popular spots like Bangus, Tangdhar, Gurez, Tulail, Drang, Gagangeer, Uri and other areas have become preferred destinations, but the influx has brought along piles of litter and plastic waste.
In Gurez, located in Bandipora district, locals say the scenic beauty of the Kishanganga riverbanks is being marred by discarded plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other non-biodegradable waste left by tourists.
Mumtaz Ahmad, a homestay owner, said tourists often choose dumping sites on their own, creating problems for the community and the environment. “They should either take the waste back or inform us so we can help with proper disposal,” he said.
Residents across these areas say there is a complete absence of a waste management system and with growing numbers of tourists setting up camps, lighting fires, and hosting gatherings, trash is often left scattered across meadows and hillsides.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident of Bangus, said this waste eventually ends up in nearby villages and water bodies, polluting natural resources and endangering biodiversity.
Visitors too have noticed the problem. At Drang, Amir Ahmad, a visitor from Srinagar said while some tourists are careful, many others leave behind plastic bottles and food waste.
Rayees Ahmad, another tourist, said he was troubled to see piles of trash in Gurez. “People must realise their responsibility towards nature,” he said.
Tourists have also raised the issue of lack of basic amenities such as dustbins and signboards.
Surinder, a picturesque valley in Bandipora district, is gaining popularity among visitors during mid-summer for its lush green forests and clear streams. However, the area is now facing environmental challenges due to the open dumping of plastic waste by tourists.
“We have seen large amounts of plastic waste accumulating here over the past few weeks, especially as the number of visitors has increased with the rising heat in the plains. It’s heartbreaking to see this happening,” said Aqib Najar, a local resident. “Tourists should think about the impact. If we keep littering, it will harm the very beauty that draws people here.”
Environmentalists have urged both tourists and local authorities to act. They say while the administration should create a solid waste disposal mechanism, tourists must also carry back their waste and avoid adding to the problem.
Shakir Ahmad, an environmental activist, said the administration and the public must work together to find solutions to this growing issue. “If this trend continues, it will damage these clean and peaceful destinations, and they will no longer remain enjoyable,” he said.
An official from the administration said efforts are underway in coordination with local bodies to address the issue through sustainable waste management plans aimed at preserving the ecological balance of these fragile regions—(KNO)
