In a significant step towards preserving the pristine environment of Gurez Valley, the District Administration Bandipora today established a Plastic Checkpoint at Tragbal on the Road to Gurez with the active support of the Indian Army and launched the 'Polythene-Free Gurez' Campaign to curb the use of single-use polythene and plastic and promote sustainable tourism in the valley.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, said that the initiative, envisioned in line with the vision of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India for environmental conservation and cleanliness, has been launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and would be implemented in letter and spirit.
The Deputy Commissioner inaugurated the newly established Plastic Checkpoint at Tragbal on the Road to Gurez, where she interacted with visitors and tourists proceeding towards Gurez Valley. She appealed to them to cooperate with the District Administration in making Gurez a polythene-free tourist destination by avoiding the use of single-use plastic and adopting eco-friendly alternatives.
The Deputy Commissioner said that with the opening of Gurez Valley for the tourist season, a considerable increase in polythene and plastic waste had been noticed. She stressed that protecting the valley's fragile ecosystem was a collective responsibility and called upon all visitors to actively support the campaign by carrying reusable and environment-friendly materials.
To facilitate the campaign, the District Administration, with the active support of the Indian Army, established the Plastic Checkpoint at Tragbal on the Road to Gurez, where sustainable and environment-friendly alternatives, including steel water bottles and cloth bags, had been made available for travellers.
In addition, a washroom facility and a food point were also established for the convenience of visitors. The Deputy Commissioner urged tourists and other visitors to extend their wholehearted support to the initiative and contribute towards keeping Gurez clean, green and free from plastic pollution.
The campaign is being implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) under the leadership of the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Bandipora, with the active support of the Director General, Rural Sanitation, J&K; Secretary, Rural Development Department, Jammu & Kashmir, and the District Administration Bandipora.
The District Administration reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible tourism and protecting the natural beauty and ecological wealth of Gurez Valley through sustained public participation and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.