Despite NGT ban, garbage burning goes unchecked

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 18

Despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on the burning of waste in the open, people continue to degrade and pollute the environment by setting garbage to fire in Bathinda.

Some persons today dumped the garbage and burned it on the Goniana road near Harchand cinema. It is pathetic to see that no punitive action was taken by the local authorities against such acts.

As per the NGT ruling, a penalty of Rs 5,000-25,000 can be imposed. On open waste burning releases toxic gases like CO2 and hydro carbons and other particular matter. These harmful compounds can penetrate deep into lungs and cause a whole lot of respiratory problems. Elderly people and persons who are allergic are the most vulnerable to these gases. It is also disappointing to see that common people don’t report such harmful acts to the authorities or do nothing to prevent such acts on their own.

Garbage dumped here is often mixed waste with paper, plastic containers, bottles, cans and at times electronic goods. Burning even small amounts of plastic and rubber releases chemicals that are unsafe and can cause several respiration related diseases.

Residents of various residential areas of the city stated that instead of cleaning vacant plots, which turn into dumping grounds whenever door-to-door garbage collections are stalled, MCB sanitary workers prefer setting the garbage on fire, thereby polluting the environment. MCB officials stated that they would look into the matter and make sure that such practices are stopped with immediate effect.

The pollutants are all toxic to humans depending on their concentration and may cause irritation, skin and respiratory problems. Some are carcinogenic. Those individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma or allergies may be even more sensitive to the smoke.