Srinagar, Oct 8, KNT: The road leading to the revered Zeethyar temple in Srinagar’s Gupkar–Sonawar area has been left littered with plastic bottles and other waste materials, drawing sharp criticism from locals and devotees who frequent the shrine. This comes despite the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) having installed multiple dustbins along the stretch to maintain cleanliness.
Locals said the situation reflects both public apathy and lax enforcement by sanitation authorities. “There are dustbins placed by the SMC at regular intervals, yet people continue to dump plastic bottles and wrappers on the roadside. It not only spoils the beauty of the area but also shows a lack of civic sense,” said a local to the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Join our WhatsApp Group
The Zeethyar temple, located in the serene foothills of Gupkar, attracts hundreds of devotees and visitors daily. However, the unchecked littering has turned the area into an eyesore, especially along the approach road leading from Sonawar.
📢 8,000+ readers already joined for instant Kashmir News Trust updates
Join our Telegram Channel
Environmental activists have also raised concerns, warning that plastic accumulation could choke nearby drains and damage the surrounding greenery. “Religious and tourist spots must set examples in cleanliness. The SMC should conduct regular drives and impose fines on violators to discourage this kind of behaviour,” said an activist associated with a local environmental group.
Meanwhile, SMC officials said sanitation teams are being directed to clear the area and maintain routine cleanliness. They appealed to citizens to cooperate and use the dustbins properly. [KNT]
