Jammu, May 7: Untreated waste and sewage generated from the households in their vicinity, in the absence of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), continue to be discharged into the twin lakes of Mansar and Surinsar in Jammu region, resulting in deterioration in their water quality.
Alarming adhocism in the approach of concerned authorities has been flagged in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its report on the “Conservation and management of lakes in Jammu and Kashmir” for the period ended March 2022.    
Surinsar and Mansar are under the control and management of Wildlife Warden, Kathua (WLW-Kathua) and Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority (SMDA).

However, both of them (WLW Kathua and SMDA) did not have a specific legal framework and clear demarcation of responsibility for conservation and management of the Surinsar and Mansar lakes. The sources of water in the lakes are springs in and around them, rainfall and surface run-off. The lake fringes are spread over an area of 0.90 Sq km.

“In the absence of any comprehensive plan for conservation and management of lakes, WLW-Kathua and SMDA were carrying out lake-related activities in an ad-hoc manner. State level monitoring committee had not monitored conservation and management of the twin lakes. WLW-Kathua and SMDA had not carried out demarcation of the boundary of Surinsar and Mansar lakes due to which the two Lakes had remained open to encroachments. No STPs were in place for treatment of sewage generated by inhabitants living in the vicinity of lakes resulting in discharge of untreated waste and sewage into the lakes,” the audit noted with grave concern.

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 and 2017 prohibit discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from villages and other human settlements into wetlands.
However, the audit examination revealed that SMDA and WPD had not conducted any exhaustive survey to identify the point and non-point sources of waste and untreated sewage entering the lakes.

Although SMDA projected in December 2018, the requirement of Rs 5.60 Cr under Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP) phase-II for installation of eight STPs for these two lakes and requested in November, 2019 to the Chief Engineer (UEED) to depute technical experts or engineers to explore feasibility for installation of STPs and drainage systems, there was no further progress in this regard. 
As a result, funds could not be obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for construction of STPs under PMDP (Phase-II).

“A provision of five STPs kept in the Mansar rejuvenation plan (2021) under PMDP Phase-II was yet to be approved as of March 2022. Thus, untreated waste and sewage generated from the households in the vicinity of the two lakes continued to be discharged into the lakes resulting in deterioration in the water quality of these lakes,” the audit revealed.

Similarly, Rule 4 of Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 and 2017 prohibits dumping of solid waste within wetlands. Further, Waste Management Rules, 2016 (notified by MoEF&CC) prescribe actions to be taken for collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste together with monitoring and evaluation of compliance of these Rules.

Audit noticed that SMDA and WLW-Kathua had not taken measures for source segregation and door-to-door collection and disposal of solid waste generated by households in the vicinity of the lakes.

Though SMDA spent Rs 0.35 Cr during 2017-18 to 2021-22 on disposal of solid waste, it had not identified land for dumping of solid waste with the result waste generated by households, shops, visitors and pilgrims was being dumped on the fringes of these lakes.

The animal waste generated in the deer park situated along the banks of Mansar lake was also finding its way into the lake.

Out of funds of Rs 6.16 lakh released during 2017-18 to 2021-22, by J&K Government to WLW-Kathua for solid waste management, Rs 1.74 lakh (28 per cent) was not spent. SMDA, in January 2021, stated that installation of STP and identification of land for dumping sites were under process, the audit report pointed out. 

Srinagar, May 7: As Kashmir moves through late spring and approaches summer, Himalayan black bears are increasingly entering villages and orchards across the Valley.

Three people were injured in separate bear attacks in Ganderbal, Kupwara and Baramulla districts over the past four days, officials said.

Wildlife officials said bears move closer to habitations during late spring and early summer in search of food and cover.

Villagers in parts of north Kashmir said fear has spread after repeated bear sightings and attacks near orchards and residential areas.

“We are living in fear now. People avoid going to orchards alone, especially in the morning and evening,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a resident of Kupwara district. “Children and the elderly are the most scared.”

The latest incident took place on May 6. Zahida Begum, 32, was attacked by a bear in the Gund Aku forest area of Ganderbal district, officials said.

She was shifted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, where she is undergoing treatment.

A day earlier, Hameeda Begum, 32, was injured in a bear attack in the Puthwari Nowgam forest area of Lawoosa in Kupwara district. She is being treated at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar.

On May 3, Mudasir Ahmad Chanieja was injured in a bear attack in the Gulistan Bala area of Sheeri Narvaw in Baramulla district.

Officials said Chanieja had gone to the Gawas Budun area with livestock when a bear attacked him around 9 a.m. He is undergoing treatment at GMC Baramulla.

Several bear attacks were also reported in April. Wildlife officials also trapped dozens of bears using cages in vulnerable areas.

On April 20, Jalil Ahmad Khan was injured in a bear attack in the Hakapathri area of Pahlipora-Boniyar in Baramulla district.

On April 8, two persons were injured in a bear attack in the Madian area of Kamalkote in Uri.

Wildlife officials said the beginning of the fruiting season draws bears closer to orchards and villages.

Khurshid Ahmad Shah, head of the Wildlife Protection Department at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), said such incidents increase during this period.

“Yes, of course they are on the rise. But as far as the pattern of incidents is concerned, it is marginally very low in summers except in some areas,” Shah said.

Suhail Intesar, wildlife warden for north Kashmir, said apricots had started ripening while thick vegetation gives bears cover while moving through orchards.

“This season marks the beginning of fruiting,” Intesar said. “As grasses and foliage become denser, bears get better cover to move around orchards.”

Intesar said climate change was also affecting bear movement.

“The delayed snowfall in lower areas during winters means they can postpone or even skip hibernation altogether,” he said. “They may stay active throughout the winter in residential areas.”

He also said poor waste management and stray dogs attract bears to populated areas.

“In autumn, leftover apples in orchards feed these bears. So, these bears can now be seen roaming in habitations in all seasons -autumn, winter, spring and even summer,” Intesar said.

Another wildlife official blamed unattended household and kitchen waste for drawing bears into residential areas.

“We can see waste scattered across wastelands and private land in areas where bears are roaming,” the official said. “If they get shelter and food here, why would they return to the forests?”

The official said the department had increased surveillance and was using cameras and drones to monitor bear movement.

Budgam, May 07: Authorities in central Kashmir’s Budgam district have ordered diversion and restriction of vehicular traffic on the Narbal-Wadwan road after damage to the approach slab of a bridge near the playground at Narbal, officials said.

According to an order issued by Tehsildar and Executive Magistrate 1st Class Narbal, Umer Bashir, the damaged portion of the bridge was found unsafe for smooth vehicular movement and posed a threat to public safety. 

The order, according  to  Kashmir Dot Com, said the Assistant Executive Engineer, R&B Sub Division Beerwah, had informed the administration that the deteriorated condition of the approach slab could lead to untoward incidents if immediate preventive measures were not taken. 

“In the interest of public safety and convenience, movement of vehicular traffic over the bridge near Playground Narbal shall remain restricted/diverted via Yarigund–Kawoosa NTR with immediate effect for a period of 15 days,” the order reads. 

The restriction will remain in force till May 23, 2026, or until restoration work is completed and the bridge is declared safe by the concerned engineering authorities. 

Officials said the R&B department has been directed to install barricades, warning signboards and other safety measures at the site, while police and traffic authorities have been asked to regulate traffic and ensure smooth diversion in the area. (KDC)