LEH: In utter disregard to the fragile climate of the union territory and in a potential health threat to the residents, an Army vehicle was found discharging sewage water into a stream here, following which the authorities here issued a show-cause notice to the force and issued a fine of Rs 5000.
The Army has taken cognisance of the incident and has assured to take necessary corrective measures in this regard.
The incident came to fore when a video of an Army vehicle accompanied by soldiers dumping sewage sludge into a river in Skara village sometime last week, went viral on social media on Saturday.
The video, shot by a local, was shared on Twitter by user named Stanzin Gawa, following which the residents and non-residents took strong objections to the act and demanded action.
“It is reported that sewer sludge is being disposed in Skara village stream by army which is like a lifeline for agriculture activities & livestocks in the village. This threatens the risk spreading disease making the health of people & livestocks depending on this stream vulnerable,” Dawa, currently based in Jharkhand, wrote along the 1.33 minutes long video.
“Village children’s health is also at risk due to such acts as they play in the stream during summer. Request concern authorities take appropriate measures to prohibit dumping of waste and sewage sludge in the stream,” he added.
A letter was also written to the Nambardar’s office in the area by locals.
“We the resident of Skara village request to the Administration/LAHDC Leh to take strict action against this irresponsible, careless and undisciplined act done by the Army. Yesterday, evening an Army tractor attached sewer/sludge suction machine like carried a full tank of sewerage/sludge waste and directed of this in to the main stream water/tokpo of the Skara village near the bridge at Zorawar fort,” said the letter.
The letter said that the same incident has happened many times in the past and this irresponsible and careless act is not only polluting the water but also creating health hazard for the people.
After receiving the complaint, a team from Ladakh Pollution Control Committee and Municipal Committee, Leh swung into action.
The LPCC team immediately rushed to the site and issued a show-cause notice to the office of the Station Commander, at the headquarters of the Sub area in Leh.
The Ladakh Pollution Control Committee also assessed an environmental compensation of Rs. 5000 to the office of the Station Commander, who assured to take strict action against the violators and added that this kind of violation would not be repeated in the future.
The Fire and Fury Corps of Indian Army has also taken cognisance of the incident and said that it will take necessary corrective measures.
“We regret this one off incident which does not reflect sentiments of Fire and Fury Corps. We remain committed to Clean and Green Ladakh, in close coordination with civil administration,” the Fire and Fury Corps said in a statement.
“Necessary corrective measures being put in place,” it said.
