Open Garbage, Trash Burning Continues Despite Smog Alerts

The unprecedented fatal Smog phenomenon has caused heavy casualties and hazardous diseases across the region especially, in the neighbouring countries of China and India however, the garbage burning continues in the twin cities despite several admonitions by health, environmental experts and concerned authorities.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2018 ) :The unprecedented fatal Smog phenomenon has caused heavy casualties and hazardous diseases across the region especially, in the neighbouring countries of China and India however, the garbage burning continues in the twin cities despite several admonitions by health, environmental experts and concerned authorities.

Talking to APP, Ahmed Ali a student and resident of I-10/1 regretted the open burning of trash in various garbage trolleys, open places and road sides causing suffocation and serious respiratory problems. He said that environmental reports, experts and doctors are repeatedly advising to avoid trash burning but still it persists in almost every sector of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. "There are shamming social media campaigns and hash tags going viral over the internet but nobody is bothering about creating awareness among the masses on serious and poisoning emissions caused due to burning of waste.

There are no reports in the media over the unbridled burning of garbage at the part of the citizens, sanitation workers and rag pickers who are putting public health and environment at serious risk," he remarked.

Monazza Shehzad said that people in I-12 sector mischievously set heaps of garbage and at times dry grass in the deserted patches of the sector for fun which produces huge smoke screens in the air. "It (smoke of burning garbage) produces pungent and stinking smell that sometimes create emergency situation for an asthmatic patient and senior citizens which should be dealt with a strong mechanism from the concerned authorities," she added.

Farkhanda Ilyas, a resident of Asghar Mall Scheme, Rawalpindi said that trash and household waste burning is common in every nook and corner of the area. "People are found setting a small pile of garbage at fire just to warm them which is deplorable as they do not know its impacts on environment and public health. Such persons should be charged with heavy fines and punishment by the concerned authorities," she said.

The Environment Protection Agency (PAK-EPA) officials said that the agency was making all out efforts but it is now at the part of the society and media to educate the masses over the looming issue they were breeding themselves as EPA was doing its lot within available resources.