Check burning of green waste, dist admn urged

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 2

Burning of green waste, especially plant residue, has become a common site in the city, including Company Bagh. It is considered as lungs of the city.

A large number of residents visit the place in the morning and evening. But instead of feeling refreshed, they often feel exhausted. The frequent burning of waste in the area irks residents.

They demanded that strict action should be taken against those who set plant waste on fire. “If the administration can impose fine and take action against farmers for burning crop residue, it can do the same in the case of burning waste in the city,” said a visitor, Kewal Singh.

The burning of any kind of waste, including dry leaves and grass, is strictly prohibited under the law. The guidelines for management suggest that dry plant waste should be put in compost pits to convert it into manure.

The burning of dry vegetable is also seen at other places, including government offices and residential areas, in the city. As sanitation workers gather dry leaves from roads in the city, heaps are seen until someone set them on fire.

Harman Verma, a resident, said, “The smoke from the burning of dry vegetation in residential areas often cause breathing problems to elderly and children, especially those suffering from asthmatic or heart problems.”

Jatinder Kumar, a student, said, “The MC and district administration must start a programme to sensitise sanitation workers to the hazards of burning. The compost pits should be created wherever possible.”

MC Commissioner Sonali Giri said fresh instructions would be issued to the horticulture wing to ensure that no burning of dry vegetation takes place.

She said officials would be asked to sensitise sanitation workers to the issue.