What were once functional water channels are now open dumping grounds, signalling a breakdown in waste management, planning, and collective responsibility that demands immediate intervention
Firdous Ahmad Malik
The drainage channels flowing through the main town of Pulwama, once regarded as vital water resources and lifelines for the community, are today struggling under the weight of pollution, neglect, and misuse. What were once flowing channels helping maintain ecological balance and proper water movement have now become carriers of garbage, sewage, and stagnation, raising serious concerns about public health, environmental safety, and urban management.
A walk along these drains presents a disturbing picture. Murky water mixed with plastic bags, food wrappers, discarded bottles, broken household items, and construction debris moves slowly or stands still in several stretches. The foul smell is unavoidable, and in many places, heaps of garbage have completely blocked the natural flow of water. Instead of serving as a system to carry rainwater and maintain cleanliness, these channels now resemble open dumping lines running through residential neighbourhoods.
Residents say these water channels were not always in such a miserable condition. Older inhabitants recall a time when these streams carried relatively clean water and played a quiet but important role in daily life. They helped in natural drainage, groundwater recharge, and supported greenery along their banks. Over time, however, rapid urban growth and careless disposal practices have turned these valuable water resources into polluted drains.
Untreated household wastewater now flows directly into these channels. In the absence of proper sewage treatment and strict monitoring, dirty water from kitchens, bathrooms, and other domestic sources is discharged straight into open drains. Solid waste follows the same path, either dumped intentionally or washed into the channels during rainfall. Plastic, which does not decompose easily, accumulates and blocks the flow, creating pools of stagnant water.
The consequences of this neglect are becoming increasingly visible. Even moderate rainfall causes water to overflow from clogged drains, flooding nearby streets and sometimes entering homes and shops. Residents describe the frustration of dealing with dirty water around their properties, damaged roads, and a constant foul smell. What should be a functional drainage system protecting the town from waterlogging is instead becoming a source of daily inconvenience and risk.
The health implications of this situation are serious. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies, and other disease-carrying insects. Health workers warn that such conditions increase the likelihood of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, along with water-borne infections. Children playing near these drains, elderly residents, and those with weak immunity are particularly vulnerable. The unpleasant odour and polluted surroundings can also lead to respiratory problems and skin infections.
Doctors and health experts emphasise that sanitation and drainage are directly linked to community health. When wastewater is left exposed and garbage piles up in open channels, the risk of disease spreads silently. Seasonal outbreaks of stomach ailments, fevers, and infections are often connected to poor hygiene and contaminated surroundings. Clean drains are not merely an aesthetic need; they are a basic requirement for a healthy town.
Beyond health concerns, the environmental damage is equally alarming. These drains eventually connect to larger streams and natural water bodies. As polluted water travels downstream, it carries plastic waste, chemicals, and sewage into areas beyond the town limits. This contaminates soil, harms aquatic life, and reduces water quality used for irrigation and other purposes. What begins as local negligence in waste disposal can lead to long-term environmental degradation affecting entire ecosystems.
Residents also point out that irregular cleaning and maintenance have made matters worse. Drains that require periodic desilting and garbage removal are often left unattended for long periods. As silt, mud, and debris accumulate, the carrying capacity of the channels reduces significantly. When heavy rain occurs, the blocked drains cannot handle the flow, resulting in overflow and waterlogging.
At the same time, public behaviour plays a major role in worsening the crisis. Despite awareness about cleanliness, some people continue to throw waste into open drains, assuming the flowing water will carry it away. This practice ignores the fact that plastic and solid waste do not dissolve and instead create blockages that harm the entire community. A lack of sufficient public dustbins and an effective waste collection system further encourages such habits.
Urban expansion without proper planning has added pressure on the drainage network. New constructions often alter natural water pathways, narrowing channels or blocking them entirely. Without proper mapping and protection of drainage routes, the town’s ability to manage water flow decreases year after year. Encroachments along drain banks and dumping of construction waste further reduce the space needed for water to pass safely.
The transformation of these channels from relatively clean water resources into polluted drains represents a larger issue of how urban spaces are managed. Water bodies and drainage systems are often taken for granted until they fail. In Pulwama, that failure is becoming increasingly visible in the form of stagnant water, foul smells, and growing health complaints.
Citizens believe that immediate action is necessary to prevent the situation from turning into a full-scale public health emergency. Regular cleaning drives, removal of solid waste, and desilting of drains can restore at least some of their capacity. Installing proper waste disposal points and ensuring timely garbage collection would reduce the tendency to dump waste into open channels. Public awareness campaigns can also encourage residents to adopt responsible waste disposal habits.
Experts suggest that long-term solutions must include proper sewage treatment, covering of open drains in densely populated areas, and strict enforcement against illegal dumping. Urban planning must take into account natural drainage routes and ensure that new constructions do not block or narrow them. Protecting these water channels is not only about cleanliness but also about flood prevention, groundwater recharge, and environmental sustainability.
The story of Pulwama’s drains is a reminder that water systems are the lifelines of any town. When they are respected and maintained, they quietly support daily life. When neglected and misused, they become sources of danger and decay. Restoring these channels to functional, cleaner conditions requires joint responsibility from authorities and citizens alike.
If timely steps are not taken, the problem will continue to grow, bringing more health risks, environmental damage, and civic inconvenience. The drains that once served as part of Pulwama’s natural water network can still be revived, but only if their importance is recognised and action replaces indifference. The future health and cleanliness of the town depend on how seriously this issue is addressed today.
The writer is a columnist and a research scholar in Political Science at Mansarovar Global University (MGU) University, Bhopal
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