“Apologies to people of Karachi. It appears we as a nation need to work collectively to make our country clean, it’s our and only our responsibility and duty so let’s give it a go. No more excuses. #cleanpakistan.”
Cricket legend Wasim Akram tweeted in 2020, sharing a video of plastic bottles and garbage on the banks of Neelum River. The clip came as a shock, raising questions and concerns about how even the greenest and most beautiful valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir face growing environmental threats.
The Neelum River, once known for its crystal-clear water that reflected a sky-blue shade, has now fallen to the scars of pollution. Azad Jammu and Kashmir, one of the most visited regions by tourists in Pakistan for its scenic beauty and diversity of species, is under scrutiny due to the rapid increase in pollution in rivers, with plastic waste being a major contributor. Pakistan produces approximately 3.9 million tons of plastic each year, of which 65% is mismanaged and the rest recycled. In AJK, the average residential solid waste per person is 0.282 kg, which, considering the total population of 4 million, amounts to 1,128 tons of waste per day, a significant portion of which is plastic that does not decompose. This figure rises significantly during peak tourist seasons, further straining the already fragile ecosystem.
The terrains of AJK support pathways for deposition of waste materials due to fast-flowing rivers, with debris often settling in dams where water stabilizes. The consequences of letting this system continue unchecked include disruption of dam operations and threats to aquatic life. The recent floods in August 2025 highlighted this issue, with wooden logs and plastic waste seen in the Noseri Dam. While residents attempted to remove some of this debris, much of it risks entering the black market rather than being properly recycled or managed. The floods in August 2025 floods brought a stark wave of suffering: at least 23 people died in AJK, while 167 homes were completely destroyed and 635 more partially damaged. These floods also razed 49 shops, swept away 11 watermills, 25 link bridges, 50.5 km of roads, 40 irrigation channels, and 59 water-supply schemes across Neelum and Jhelum Valleys.
Pollution with non-biodegradable materials such as plastic poses serious threats to aquatic species like trout, golden mahseer, snow carp, and catfish. These species, thriving in fast-flowing, oxygen-rich sections of rivers, face risks from ingestion of plastics, chemical contamination, and reduced oxygen levels. Protecting these species is not only vital for the ecosystem but also for eco-tourism, as they are a key attraction for visitors to the region.
The development and installation of plastic interceptor systems in rivers such as Neelum and Poonch can significantly reduce plastic waste and improve recycling. Malaysia’s Interceptor 002 and 005 have collectively removed nearly 3,000 tons of plastic as of July 2, using conveyor belts to lift surface debris and transport it to recycling facilities. These systems are designed to withstand extreme river pressures by opening gates as needed while continuously collecting floating waste. Adapting similar technology in AJK, including anchoring systems for fast-flowing waters and localized capture points near dams and tourist sites, could create an effective first line of defence against river pollution. Partnering with plastic bottle producers, like Coca-Cola in Malaysia, to establish recycling facilities in AJK could complete the ecosystem: interceptors collect, conveyor belts transport, recycling facilities process, reducing plastic waste in rivers while generating usable material for industry.
While legislation is another potential piece of the puzzle, the situation is messy. AJK government tried a step-by-step plastic shopper ban to cut supply in cities: first banning single-use bags, pushing shops to use cloth or paper bags, and fining violators. But it is failing because enforcement is weak, administration is poor, and people just keep using plastic from neighbouring areas. Shops still hand out plastic, people who comprise the locals and tourists don’t bring their own bags, culture hasn’t changed. You can’t just write a law and expect people to follow it overnight. Strict enforcement of cloth and paper bags is needed along with public campaigns to shift behaviour.
Solid waste management is another big problem. No proper segregation, no proper bins, some garbage trucks collect here and there but waste piles up fast. Untreated trash ends up in rivers. Solutions: separate bins for organic, recyclable, and general waste; accessible recycling centres; incentives for households and shops; awareness campaigns. People need to understand the “bring your own bag” culture, which can be enforced through eco-fees for tourists and, fines for violators. The example of the eco fees and fines can be taken from China where at the Badaling section of great wall of China which sees 10m annual visitors charges up to $30 fine on littering6. Awareness campaigns can be run with NGOs like WWF Pakistan, Pakistan Red Crescent, Youth for Human Rights, and aligned with SDGs 6, 12, 14 to connect with global goals on clean water, responsible consumption, and life below water.
Pollution in AJK’s rivers is not just a local nuisance; it is a national crisis. Wasim Akram’s words remain true: if even the Neelum River is choking on plastic, no waterway in Pakistan is safe. Plastic waste interceptors, community engagement, and partnerships with producers like Coca-Cola, legislation, strict enforcement, and SDG-aligned awareness campaigns can together be a first line of defence, saving the rivers, protecting biodiversity, and preserving livelihoods of communities dependent on these waters. The time to act is now, before plastic overwhelms the rivers that have long defined AJK’s beauty and identity.
Author: Huzaifa Adil is a student at IBA Karachi, an intern at CISS AJK
