Ganderbal, September 16: The Sindh Nallah at Sonamarg continues to face sewage pollution nearly nine years after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court ordered authorities to establish a common sewage treatment plant at the tourist resort.
A recent assessment by the Central Pollution Control Board, based on water samples collected on May 4, 2026, found elevated levels of contamination at several locations along the Sindh Nallah.
Three sampled locations, including one in Sonamarg and another downstream of Shutkadi Bridge, failed to meet the prescribed Class B and Class C water-quality criteria due to high total coliform levels.
The CPCB also examined four drains discharging into the nallah and recorded significant levels of faecal coliform and biochemical oxygen demand, indicating the presence of sewage contamination.
The highest readings were recorded in a drain near Hotel Glacier and Tajwas in Sonamarg. Faecal coliform was recorded at 29×10⁷ MPN per 100 millilitres, while total coliform reached 35×10⁸ MPN per 100 millilitres.
The CPCB linked the deteriorated water quality in the affected stretches of the Sindh Nallah to sewage-bearing drains flowing into the water body.
The issue dates back to September 2017, when the High Court directed the Sonamarg Development Authority to establish a common sewage treatment plant to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Sindh. The court had also directed authorities to ensure proper management of solid and non-biodegradable waste in the area.
Despite the passage of several years, the sewage treatment facility was found to be under construction during the latest CPCB inspection.
The CPCB and NGT records state that the proposed STP has a capacity of 1.2 million litres per day and will use MBBR technology. The Sonamarg Development Authority informed the inspection team that additional time would be required to complete its installation.
The inspection further noted that the Authority had not obtained the required Consent to Establish from the J&K Pollution Control Committee for the project at the time of the assessment.
The findings come as Sonamarg continues to attract tourists and accommodate hotels, restaurants, markets and other commercial establishments, increasing the importance of effective sewage and waste management.
The Tourism Development Authority has also issued directions to hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shopkeepers and other establishments to follow prescribed waste segregation and disposal practices.
The CPCB has recommended proper treatment of sewage before its discharge into the Sindh Nallah, along with regular monitoring of water quality.
The matter is currently before the National Green Tribunal, which is examining pollution of the Sindh Nallah and its potential impact on the area's trout habitat.
Ganderbal, September 16: The Sindh Nallah at Sonamarg continues to face sewage pollution nearly nine years after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court ordered authorities to establish a common sewage treatment plant at the tourist resort.
A recent assessment by the Central Pollution Control Board, based on water samples collected on May 4, 2026, found elevated levels of contamination at several locations along the Sindh Nallah.
Three sampled locations, including one in Sonamarg and another downstream of Shutkadi Bridge, failed to meet the prescribed Class B and Class C water-quality criteria due to high total coliform levels.
The CPCB also examined four drains discharging into the nallah and recorded significant levels of faecal coliform and biochemical oxygen demand, indicating the presence of sewage contamination.
The highest readings were recorded in a drain near Hotel Glacier and Tajwas in Sonamarg. Faecal coliform was recorded at 29×10⁷ MPN per 100 millilitres, while total coliform reached 35×10⁸ MPN per 100 millilitres.
The CPCB linked the deteriorated water quality in the affected stretches of the Sindh Nallah to sewage-bearing drains flowing into the water body.
The issue dates back to September 2017, when the High Court directed the Sonamarg Development Authority to establish a common sewage treatment plant to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Sindh. The court had also directed authorities to ensure proper management of solid and non-biodegradable waste in the area.
Despite the passage of several years, the sewage treatment facility was found to be under construction during the latest CPCB inspection.
The CPCB and NGT records state that the proposed STP has a capacity of 1.2 million litres per day and will use MBBR technology. The Sonamarg Development Authority informed the inspection team that additional time would be required to complete its installation.
The inspection further noted that the Authority had not obtained the required Consent to Establish from the J&K Pollution Control Committee for the project at the time of the assessment.
The findings come as Sonamarg continues to attract tourists and accommodate hotels, restaurants, markets and other commercial establishments, increasing the importance of effective sewage and waste management.
The Tourism Development Authority has also issued directions to hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shopkeepers and other establishments to follow prescribed waste segregation and disposal practices.
The CPCB has recommended proper treatment of sewage before its discharge into the Sindh Nallah, along with regular monitoring of water quality.
The matter is currently before the National Green Tribunal, which is examining pollution of the Sindh Nallah and its potential impact on the area's trout habitat.
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