Kashmir’s Inhabitants: Transforming River Pollution into Hidden Gems

It is common but fast to find the mean garbage from the pile of garbage lying on the ground the sea It’s amazing and brave to find useful items from the trash that flows with the raging waves and sell them for a living.

Pakistan-administered Kashmir City of Muzaffarabad Thori is a place after the confluence of the Neelum and the Jhelum rivers near Dumel, where the water of these two rivers creates a whirlpool and spins all the garbage inside it like a washing machine. It is where people extract useful goods from this waste and sell them for a living. The employment of these people depends on the waste flowing in this river.

At the point where the river widens, the eddy is dangerously deep.

After collecting the useful items from the river, they are sold at the junk shops.

Instead of selling the wood from the river, it is harvested and used as fuel in the houses, while other items such as plastic shoes, iron items (which are attached to the plastic and floating banks on the surface) ) and plastic bottles etc. are separated and bagged and delivered to scrap shops.

Garbage pickers here usually visit the river when the flow is unusually high and this is because more things are likely to be caught at that particular time.

Independent Urdu spoke to Maidil Khan, a local resident who collects garbage from the river, who condemned dumping garbage in the river as wrong, saying it adds pollution to the water, affecting aquatic life and the river’s health. Water is no longer usable.

He said: ‘We are doing two things by picking garbage from the river, firstly we are cleaning the river by ridding it of this plastic and garbage. Second, we earn halal sustenance by selling this waste.’

Mohammad Zaheer, who has been doing the same work for 15 to 20 years, said that ‘the garbage that comes in the river, whether it is iron or plastic, we take it out and sell it. We clean the garbage that comes into the river, otherwise the river will be full of garbage.

‘Other than us, people work here. We ask people not to throw garbage, especially plastic, into the river. The river is polluted and it is a problem for us too.’

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Mohammad Shabbir, who is working to extract sand from the river, said that if it is not for these people, who take out plastic and wood from the river, then the river will be filled with garbage and other than dirt in the river, sand and stones will be taken out on the banks. Be unemployed.

‘These people are on the one hand running their business from it and on the other hand they are cleaning the river in an invisible way.’

Mayor Syed Sikandar Ali Geelani told Independent Urdu in this regard that ‘removing garbage from the river is a positive action but on the condition that no one’s life is threatened.’

He added that throwing garbage in the river is a wrong practice, which should not happen at all.

“Those who are removing plastic from the river, they are cleaning the river, but if it is done with full safety precautions, it is an environmentally friendly process.”

He said that a lot of work is done to keep water clean in developed countries.

The mayor said that the municipality is introducing a solid waste management program, which will create employment opportunities for these people.

According to Sikandar Ali Gilani: ‘We will give employment opportunities to all such people, who work to remove garbage.’

He said that the waste collected under the new program will be collected at one place, from which the task of separating plastic and other items will be given to these people and tenders will be issued for this work.

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#Labour #cleaning #Citizens #scavenging #waste #river #Kashmir
2024-09-13 20:32:25

**What challenges do the garbage collectors of ​Muzaffarabad ​face while working ⁤in the rivers?**

Brave Souls: Meet the ​Garbage ⁤Collectors of Muzaffarabad’s Rivers

In the⁢ heart of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the​ city of Muzaffarabad is ⁢home to a unique phenomenon⁢ – brave individuals who ⁣dive‍ into the raging rivers to collect useful items⁤ from the trash that flows with the⁢ waves. ⁢These⁢ unsung heroes sell their findings for a living, earning a halal sustenance while keeping the rivers clean.

The ⁣Whirlpool of Waste

At the confluence of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers, near Dumel, the water creates a whirlpool that spins all the garbage inside it like a washing machine.​ This swirling ⁣vortex is where the garbage collectors of Muzaffarabad come to ‌extract useful⁤ goods from the waste.⁣ Their employment depends on the waste flowing in this river, which is alarmingly‌ high.

The Daily Grind

After collecting the useful items from the river, they are sold at junk shops. Wood is harvested and used as fuel in ⁤homes, while other items ‍like plastic shoes, iron items, and plastic bottles⁣ are separated, bagged, and delivered to scrap shops. The garbage pickers often visit the river when the⁣ flow is unusually high, as ‍more items are likely to⁢ be caught at that time.

The Plight of Pollution

Independent Urdu ⁣spoke to⁣ Maidil Khan, a local resident who collects ‌garbage from the river, who condemned⁤ dumping garbage in‍ the river as ⁤wrong, saying it adds pollution to the water, affecting aquatic life and the river’s health. Water is​ no‌ longer usable. He emphasized the importance of their work, saying, “We are doing two ​things by picking ⁣garbage from the⁤ river, firstly we are cleaning ⁢the river by ridding it⁢ of this plastic and garbage. Second, we⁤ earn halal sustenance by selling this waste.”

The Voices of the Garbage Collectors

Mohammad Zaheer, who has been doing the same work for 15 to 20 years, said, “The garbage that⁢ comes in the river, whether⁣ it is⁤ iron or plastic, we take⁣ it out and sell it. We clean the garbage that comes into the river, otherwise ‍the river will‌ be full of⁣ garbage.” He emphasized the need for people⁤ to stop throwing garbage,​ especially plastic, into the‍ river, as it is a problem for everyone.

Mohammad Shabbir, who works to extract sand from the⁣ river, praised the garbage collectors, ⁤saying, “If⁢ it is not​ for these people, who take out plastic and wood from the river, then the river will be ​filled with garbage⁣ and unemployed.”

The Municipal Response

Mayor Syed Sikandar Ali Geelani commended the garbage ⁤collectors, saying, “Removing garbage ​from the river is a positive action but on the condition‍ that no one’s life is threatened.” He emphasized the importance of keeping ‍water clean, citing the efforts of developed countries in this regard. The municipality is introducing a solid⁤ waste management program, which will ⁣create employment opportunities for these people.

A Beacon of⁢ Hope

The​ story‌ of Muzaff

– What challenges do garbage collectors face while working in the rivers of Muzaffarabad?

The Unseen Heroes of the River: Braving the Waves to Collect Garbage for a Living

In the majestic city of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, there exists a remarkable phenomenon that showcases the resilience and bravery of a group of individuals who make a living by collecting garbage from the confluence of the Neelum and Jhelum rivers. The meeting point of these two rivers, near Dumel, creates a whirlpool that sucks in all sorts of trash, transforming the water into a massive washing machine. Amidst this chaos, locals have found a way to extract useful items from the waste and sell them to make a living.

The Garbage Collectors

Maidil Khan, a local resident, is one of the many individuals who depend on this unique occupation. Along with his fellow garbage collectors, he ventures into the river when the flow is unusually high, increasing the chances of finding valuable items. According to Maidil, collecting garbage from the river serves a dual purpose: it cleans the river by removing plastic and garbage, and it provides a halal means of earning a living by selling the collected waste.

The Impact of Pollution

The water of the river is no longer usable due to the excessive pollution caused by the dumping of garbage. Maidil condemned this practice, emphasizing its detrimental effects on aquatic life and the overall health of the river. The pollution has reached alarming levels, threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on the river.

A Glimpse into the Lives of Garbage Collectors

Mohammad Zaheer, a veteran garbage collector with 15-20 years of experience, shared his concerns about the escalating pollution levels. He emphasized the importance of removing garbage from the river, stating that if it weren’t for the collectors, the river would be overwhelmed with trash.

The Sand Extractors

Mohammad Shabbir, who extracts sand from the river, acknowledged the vital role played by the garbage collectors. He expressed gratitude towards these individuals, stating that without them, the river would be filled with garbage, leaving sand and stones unusable.

The Mayor’s Take

Mayor Syed Sikandar Ali Geelani commended the efforts of the garbage collectors, acknowledging their role in cleaning the river. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that their lives are not put at risk during the process. The mayor also stressed the need to eradicate the harmful practice of dumping garbage into the river.

Conclusion

The garbage collectors of Muzaffarabad are true unsung heroes, braving the waves and pollution to earn a living. Their remarkable story serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of human beings in the face of adversity. It is essential to recognize their efforts and work towards creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment for all.

Keyword Tags: Garbage Collectors, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, Neelum River, Jhelum River, Pollution, Environmental Conservation, Sustainable Living.

Meta Description: Discover the incredible story of garbage collectors in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, who brave the waves to collect trash and sell it for a living, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.

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