Pulwama: Villagers in Pulwama village of Ratnipora are demanding the construction of soak pits under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) to save a local water stream.
The villagers residing in Astan Mohalla (Ratnipora B) are concerned that without proper greywater management, they are forced to discharge their greywater into Lar stream which becomes polluted, affecting water body, environment and public health.
They said that the have time and again knocked on the doors of BDO Kakpora and concerned officials of the Rural Development Department from last four years to construct soak pits, but the department does not show any serious efforts.
“Funds are always available with the Block officials under Swach Bharat Mission’s Grameen sanitation, but we don’t understand why the panchayat Secretary, GRS, JE, do not visit the area and register the residents for soak pits construction,” a resident, Ghulam Nabi, said.
Under the SBM, the RDD constructs and issues funds for soak pits which are a simple and effective way to manage greywater, allowing it to soak into the ground instead of flowing into water bodies.
The demand for soak pits in Pulwama is a local manifestation of this larger effort to protect water resources.
By constructing soak pits, the villagers hope to protect the local water stream and maintain the beauty and health of their environment.
