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GANDERBAL: With a view to maintaining environmental cleanliness, protecting the fragile ecosystem of Manasbal Lake and ensuring effective solid and liquid waste management, the Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority (WMDA) has issued a public notice directing all residents, shopkeepers, restaurant owners, commercial establishments, institutions and other stakeholders to strictly comply with the prescribed waste management and sanitation guidelines within its jurisdiction.
As per the directions issued by the Chief Executive Officer, WMDA, a door-to-door solid waste collection system has been introduced by the Authority. All households and commercial establishments have been directed to hand over their daily generated waste exclusively to designated sanitation staff and authorised collection vehicles of the Rural Development Department, Block Safapora, at the notified time and place.
The Authority has made segregation of waste at source mandatory, directing all waste generators to separate wet/biodegradable waste from dry/non-biodegradable waste. Mixing of segregated waste has been strictly prohibited.
The public notice also imposes a complete prohibition on littering and illegal dumping of garbage, plastic waste, polythene, construction debris and other waste materials on roads, footpaths, open spaces, lake periphery, water bodies, drains, parks and tourist spots. Burning of garbage, plastic and other solid waste in open or public spaces has also been prohibited.
Shopkeepers, restaurant owners, dhabawallas, vendors and other commercial establishments have been directed to maintain cleanliness within their premises and adjoining areas and make adequate arrangements for proper storage, segregation and disposal of waste. Institutions and event organisers have also been asked to ensure proper collection and disposal of waste generated during public functions and activities and restore the premises to a clean condition immediately after completion of events.
Emphasising the protection of Manasbal Lake and its surrounding ecosystem, WMDA has strictly prohibited the discharge of untreated sewage, wastewater, kitchen wastewater and other liquid waste directly into the lake, adjoining drains, water channels, wetlands and public spaces.
All households, hotels, restaurants, commercial establishments and institutions have been directed to ensure proper collection, treatment and disposal of sewage and wastewater. They have also been asked to maintain septic tanks, soak pits and other sanitation facilities properly and ensure that collected sewage and sludge are transported and disposed of only through authorised facilities.
The Authority has warned that any violation of the directions shall invite strict penal action under the applicable provisions of the J&K Development Act, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, Water(Prevention of Pollution) Act-1974 and other relevant laws and regulations. Action may include imposition of fines and penalties, issuance of notices and initiation of further legal proceedings before the competent authorities.
The concerned officials and sanitation staff have been directed to maintain strict vigilance and report instances of violations for necessary action. Calling upon the general public to extend full cooperation, WMDA emphasised that maintaining the cleanliness of Manasbal Lake and its surrounding tourist areas is a collective responsibility, adding that any act causing environmental degradation or defacement of the tourist destination shall not be tolerated. The directions have been issued in the larger public interest to safeguard public health, environmental protection, ecological conservation and sustainable tourism.
