Anantnag: Over a hundred band-saws, operating in residential areas of at least three villages in Anantnag district, are causing massive air pollution as they burn leftover wood to make coal for kangdis. Dozens of people have fallen sick in these villages, most of them children and the elderly.
As per sources in the administration, there are more than 150 band-saws operating in residential areas of Pushiwara, Dantar, and Nathpora villages on the outskirts of main town Anantnag. “More than 100 of these units are located in Pushiwara village only,” the source said, adding that relocation of these units has always been met with some political interference in the past.
“As a result, these units continue to operate from within residential areas, and we cannot even imagine the human cost of it,” the source said.
Locals that Kashmir Reader talked to said that for around six months between March and October they have to bear with the deafening noise from these machines. “And if that was not enough, they start burning the left-over wood from the beginning of October,” a resident of Pushiwara village told Kashmir Reader.
He said that this burning continues till the end of December, and the pollution levels skyrocket in the area during these months.
“I challenge anyone in the administration to spend half an hour in an area. It is unbearable. The visibility is less than 2 feet,” the resident said.
Another local said that dozens of people have fallen sick in these villages owing to the air quality. “Every household, including those who own these band-saws, is nursing two to three people with chest infection. It is chaotic and the district administration is nowhere to be seen,” the local said.
Others said that they have time and again appealed to the district administration to take necessary steps but to no avail. “Auqaf committee has met the district administration at least a couple of times regarding the issue, and the only thing we have been given is assurances that were never fulfilled,” the locals said.
District Officer of the Pollution Control Board in Anantnag, Bashir Ahmad, acknowledged that the situation was bad in the area and he had to send a team to the place last year as well.
“District administration had intervened as well. Only a week back I sent a team to the place, but they continue with their practices,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Basharat Qayoom, sought details of the issue from this reporter and assured that necessary steps will be taken to address it.

Suhail A Shah