The Kashmir Valley, renowned for its pristine landscapes, faces a growing environmental crisis due to mismanaged waste. With approximately 450 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste generated daily in Srinagar alone, of which 7% is plastic, the region’s waste management system is in disarray. The proliferation of single-use plastics, coupled with inadequate disposal of hospital waste and an overreliance on the Achan landfill, threatens the Valley’s ecosystems, public health, and tourism-driven economy.
Single-use plastics, including packaging materials like multilayered plastics and tetrapaks, constitute a significant portion of the waste clogging Kashmir’s rivers, lakes, and tourist spots. A 2024 report highlighted that 84% of Himalayan plastic waste comes from food and beverage packaging, with 71% being non-recyclable. This plastic pollution, often dumped along riverbanks or burned openly, releases toxic pollutants, degrading water quality and harming biodiversity. The Dal Lake and other water bodies, critical to Kashmir’s identity, are choking under this burden.
Hospital waste management is equally alarming. About 15% of healthcare waste is hazardous, containing infectious microorganisms, sharps, and toxic substances like mercury and dioxins. Improper segregation and disposal, as reported in some private facilities, risk public health, particularly for waste pickers exposed to contaminated materials. Scientific disposal methods like autoclaving and chemical disinfection are underutilized, with some waste ending up in open dumps, exacerbating environmental and health hazards.
The Achan landfill, Kashmir’s only sanitary landfill, handles 350 tons of waste daily but is nearing capacity. Without urgent action, projections estimate Srinagar’s waste generation will soar to 1,723 tons per day by 2035. Recent posts on X underscore public frustration, noting that mismanagement at Achan is already poisoning lakes, wetlands, and communities.
To avert a crisis, the government must enforce a ban on single-use plastics, promote recycling through material recovery facilities, and invest in modern waste-to-energy technologies. Hospitals need stringent protocols for segregating and treating biomedical waste. Community awareness and sustainable tourism practices are vital to preserve Kashmir’s natural heritage before landfills become its defining issue.
