Polythene is a non-biodegradable substance that threatens our environment and ecosystem by its very cruel nature. It is environment-unfriendly and takes hundreds of years to disintegrate. It produces very hard and poisonous chemicals that affect our flora and fauna. The Kashmir Valley was once called the ‘Paradise on Earth’ for its fascinating beauties of nature like lush green forests, meadows, freshwater bodies, snow-clad mountains, pleasant, salubrious and invigorating climate, etc. Now, it has become a polluted place.
For the past two decades, there has been unabated use of polythene in Kashmir and tonnes of uncontrolled polythene find an easy way into the beautiful valley on each passing day. People are feeling proud to use polythene bags for their items. Tonnes of polythene and plastic wastes are being unloaded and dumped carelessly into freshwater rivers, wetlands, irrigation canals, springs drains, agricultural fields, playgrounds, gardens public parks, etc. It is also unloaded and dumped in forestlands. Many water bodies particularly wetlands, irrigation canals, streams and springs breathed in the valley due to the complete choking of uncontrolled polythene and plastic wastes.
The pollution of the Kashmir Valley particularly water and land pollution due to polythene and plastic wastes have crossed limits. Piles and heaps of polythene and plastic wastes are found everywhere and there is hardly any space in here where polythene and plastic wastes are not found. The famous tourist places particularly Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Doodpathri, etc. are not free from polythene and plastic wastes. Uncontrolled polythene and plastic wastes have converted our large area of fertile and cultivated agricultural load into deserted, useless and barren land. It has affected the agricultural sector very badly. The polythene and plastic pollution of lands reduces soil fertility, retards plant growth, and reduces agricultural production.
Polythene and plastic pollution cause many disposes to plants and animals thereby posing a great threat to the biodiversity of Jammu and Kashmir. It prevents seepage of rainwater into the water table and chokes sewer pipes and drains. The sudden floods in Srinagar city due to light rain is the case of choking of drains due to polythene and plastic wastes. The clogging of drains in September 2014 became one of the causes of the flood in Srinagar city. The polythene and plastic pollution of freshwater bodies in the valley has made the water unfit for bathing drinking irrigation, industry, and construction purposes. It has reduced the depth of important freshwater bodies. The aquatic and terrestrial fora and fauna have been affected very badly due to said pollution. The tourist places are getting affected very much. Although Jammu and Kashmir government launched the solid and liquid waste management program for attaining the goal of the Swachh Bharat Mission for the welfare of people, the environment and the ecosystem unfortunately, the mission is not being properly implemented in municipal areas. There are neither general cleanliness drives in villages nor funds being spent on waste disposal management in villages The waste disposal management in a few selected rural villages has been confined only to photo shows and media bytes to please the higher authorities or to make way for the withdrawal of funds. Jammu and Kashmir is lacking safe, efficient and environment-friendly waste disposal management. Scientific waste disposal in villages will take decades.
The existing freshwater bodies like rivers, wetlands, and springs will get extinct within six to ten years at the current uncontrolled pollution rate. All drains and streams will be clogged and this will lead to sanitation and sewage problems. Floods will increase in cities and villages that will cause further destruction. People will fight each other for water. Agricultural land will be converted into wasteland and its production will decrease. To save the valley from destruction, the Jammu and Kashmir government should impose a strict ban on the use of polythene bags. People should use eco-friendly biodegradable substitutes like jute bags instead of polythene that will promote the agriculture sector and jute industry. It will also generate employment opportunities that will save our young youth from many social evils. It will also protect our environment and ecosystem. The environment-friendly bags made up of biodegradable ingredients will add fertility to the soil after decomposition.
The author is Shahid ul Islam is a Law student at the University of Kashmir. Feedback at [email protected]. He tweets at @Shahidulislam_0

Shahid ul Islam