Srinagar, Sep 2: Amid growing concerns over environmental degradation at Kashmir’s popular tourist destination Gulmarg, the J&K Forest Department has decided to set up an anti-polythene checkpoint along the Gulmarg-Tangmarg road to prevent visitors from carrying polythene into the resort.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tangmarg Feroz Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that vehicles would be checked at the proposed checkpoint to restrict the entry of polythene and other prohibited plastic items into Gulmarg.
“We will frisk the vehicles and ensure that polythene does not enter Gulmarg. We want to stop it so that we can protect nature,” he said.
The move comes amid increasing concerns over the deterioration of trees and the overall environmental condition of Gulmarg. The Forest Department has attributed part of the decline in tree health to human intervention, including the discharge of wastewater from hotels and other private properties into forest areas.
According to the department, wastewater from urinals and other facilities of hotels enters forest land, weakening tree roots and contributing to their decay.
Ahmad said the department would also ensure that adequate dustbins are installed along the Gulmarg stretch, particularly at locations where tourists frequently stop for rest and picnics.
“We will also ensure that dustbins are installed this year along the stretch where tourists stop for rest or picnics,” he said.
He urged tourists and visitors to maintain cleanliness and exercise civic responsibility while visiting the tourist destination.
“People should have civic sense. It is wrong and not good to throw garbage in the forest area,” Ahmad said.
The DFO also said the local Municipal Committee has an important role in monitoring waste generated by hotels and private properties in Gulmarg.
“The Municipal Committee should also check where the waste coming from hotels and private properties is going. They should implement their laws strictly and ensure that hoteliers are following all the required protocols,” he said.
Ahmad said Gulmarg also faces challenges due to the absence of a dedicated garbage dumping site. The Forest Department, he said, regularly removes waste dumped in forest areas and transports it to the dumping site at Kunzer.
The department said the proposed measures are aimed at reducing plastic pollution, preventing waste from entering forest areas and protecting Gulmarg’s fragile ecosystem amid increasing tourist activity.
