Jammu’s cleanliness crisis demands shared responsibility

Jammu is not untouched by the pressures of a rapidly growing population, a reality that has increasingly sparked public discussion about the city’s environmental condition.As the city expands in terms of infrastructure and economic activity, the strain on natural and civic systems continues to mount, leading to visible signs of environmental degradation across the region. From clogged drains and littered streets to shrinking green cover, Jammu is gradually beginning to resemble many other urban centres in the country where mismanagement and a lack of civic sense are taking a toll on the environment.However, it is important to recognise that maintaining cleanliness and environmental balance is a shared responsibility of both authorities and citizens.Littering remains one of the most visible concerns in several parts of the city, with garbage dumps found along roadsides and in residential localities. Although the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has introduced vehicles for door-to-door garbage collection, residents in some areas allege that the service is irregular. Overflowing bins and erratic waste collection in certain localities suggest that gaps in execution still persist.At the same time, plastic bottles, processed food wrappers and other waste scattered across public spaces reflect shortcomings in civic behaviour. Cleanliness cannot be ensured by municipal efforts alone if sections of the public continue to disregard basic environmental responsibility.Encouragingly, several community groups and volunteers have stepped forward to organise cleanliness drives and promote environmental awareness. The larger challenge lies in bridging the gap between responsible civic conduct and careless habits that continue in some pockets of the city.Beyond garbage management, Jammu faces broader environmental concerns. Illegal constructions, shrinking forest cover and mounting pressure on water resources are gradually altering the region’s ecological balance. While development is essential for economic growth and improved living standards, sustainable planning must remain central to the city’s expansion.The way forward lies in collective commitment rather than blame. Authorities must strengthen service delivery and enforcement mechanisms, while citizens must acknowledge that public spaces belong to everyone and act accordingly. Only through shared responsibility can Jammu aspire to become a cleaner, greener and more sustainable city.

Jammu’s cleanliness crisis demands shared responsibility

#JammuJournal: Stronger governance and responsible public behaviour equally essential

Arjun Sharma

Our Correspondent

Jammu’s cleanliness crisis demands shared responsibility

#JammuJournal: Stronger governance and responsible public behaviour equally essential

Arjun Sharma

Our Correspondent

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