District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir while chairing a meeting of Officers here today called for immediate removal of Individual Household Toilets/Public Toilets from the embankment of rivers, streams, lakes and other water bodies in the district.He said that it has been brought to the notice of the district administration that Individual Household toilets/Public toilets, existing on the embankment of various rivers, streams, lakes and other water bodies, are directly disposing sewage into these water bodies. Such an unhygienic practice not only contaminates the water but gives rise to waterborne diseases, besides polluting the environment. This practice is also in violation to the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, in terms of which said practice is a punishable offence with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to Rs 10000, or both. Hence, immediate demolition of these toilets has become imperative to prevent water borne diseases and to safeguard the environment.
DDC on the occasion said that a public notice shall be issued from district administration to all concerned and 10 days’ timeline will be given to the public for removal of individual Household Toilets from the embankment of water bodies. He directed concerned officers to demolish any such existing structures after ten days to ensure implementation of the directions in letter and spirit.The DDC requested the general public and all those concerned to ensure clean surroundings and adopt healthy hygenic lifestyle. He suggested recourse to modern scientific techniques of solid waste management towards restoring ecological equilibrium and achieving sustainable development for a better tomorrow.Among others the meeting was attended by ACD Kupwara, Yaar Ali Khan, Exen PHE Division Kupwara/Handwara, Exen I&FC, tehsildars, Executive officer Municipality Committee Kupwara/Handwara/Langate and representatives of concerned departments.