Srinagar, July 18 — In the heart of Kashmir, where beauty meets resilience, a young artist is making waves—not with paint or brush, but with discarded plastic bottles, rusted metal scraps, and everyday trash. Armed with a fierce sense of duty and unshakable determination, this Kashmiri youth is transforming waste into compelling public art installations that deliver a message too loud to ignore.
The artist, whose work is quickly gaining attention both online and on the streets, says the goal is to “wake people up” to the mounting environmental crisis and growing social issues. “Trash is something we ignore, just like we ignore the climate warnings. My work gives it voice,” he said, standing beside a towering sculpture made entirely of plastic waste collected from Dal Lake and nearby neighborhoods.
Each piece of artwork tells a story—of pollution, consumerism, neglect, and hope. From giant animals sculpted out of used metal to haunting human figures wrapped in plastic, the installations force passersby to confront the ecological damage being done in real-time.
The initiative has sparked curiosity and admiration, especially among the youth, who now volunteer to help collect waste and spread awareness through street exhibitions, social media campaigns, and school outreach programs.
Officials from the Kashmir Handicrafts & Handloom Department and local NGOs have lauded the efforts, hinting at possible collaborations to scale up the initiative as part of Kashmir’s Swachh Bharat Mission and sustainable urban art programs.
This grassroots environmental movement, powered by creativity and civic responsibility, is now becoming a powerful symbol of eco-activism, youth-led change, and sustainability in Kashmir.
