Fallen leaves provide a breathtaking backdrop to the autumn hues in the Kashmir valley but prove to be a nightmare for the civic authorities in Srinagar, the summer capital.
“Autumn waste management requires a planned and coordinated response. Fallen leaves and other biodegradable waste should not be treated merely as refuse but as a resource that can be put to productive use through segregation and composting. “Keeping drains free from leaves and waste is essential to maintaining effective drainage and preventing avoidable blockages.
The SMC officials said that the seasonal initiative seeks to address the accumulation of leaf litter across roads, footpaths, parks and institutional premises, which, if left unattended, can obstruct drainage channels, affect urban cleanliness and contribute to air pollution when burnt. Our focus is on ensuring cleaner neighbourhoods while promoting environmentally responsible practices,” said SMC commissioner Basharat Qayoom. All concerned officers must ensure timely clearance of vulnerable points, with particular attention to areas prone to waterlogging and locations adjoining our water bodies,” Qayoom said.
The corporation will also strengthen monitoring through ward-wise sanitation plans, field inspections and periodic reporting by the concerned supervisory officers. Government institutions, commercial establishments, residential communities and other bulk generators of horticultural waste will be encouraged to adopt on-site or cluster-level composting wherever feasible. “The success of these measures depends not only on the efforts of sanitation teams but also on the cooperation of citizens, institutions and market associations.
Segregating leaf litter, avoiding open burning and ensuring that waste does not enter drains or water bodies are simple yet significant steps towards a cleaner and healthier Srinagar, “ Qayoom said.
