Despite ban, burning of dry leaves goes unabated in city

Despite the ban, burning of dry leaves and garbage goes unabated in the city. City residents giving two hoots to the norms laid down by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) continue to burn the dry waste.

Many a time, sweepers of the Municipal Corporation are seen burning waste after sweeping roads.

As spring is the time when trees and plants begin to grow new leaves, roads and open spaces can be seen filled with dry leaves and twigs. Though one can make compost out of these and use the same as a replacement of chemical fertiliser, people continue to burn the waste, adding to air pollution.

Incidents of burning of trash and dry leaves from various areas such as Sarabha Nagar, Dugri, SBS Nagar, BRS Nagar, Rajguru Nagar, Gurdev Nagar, Atam Nagar and Model Town continue to be reported, which keep adding to air pollution, releasing harmful particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide and other pollutants, posing severe health risks. On Wednesday, dry garbage was set afire near Vardhman Mills on Chandigarh Road and a huge smoke was emitted from it.

Social activist Kapil Arora has even filed a case with the NGT regarding the burning of dry waste in the city. “Dry waste and leaves are openly burnt at various parts of the city, including Dugri, SBS Nagar E Block, Leisure Valley, Model Town and even the DC office complex,” he said.

“Burning of leaves and organic waste, not only contributes to air pollution but also destroys valuable nutrients that should go back to the soil,” said Neeraj, resident of Sarabha Nagar.

Kartar Singh, a farmer from Daad village, said the government was strict when it comes to stubble burning by farmers but nobody raises the concern when dry waste was burnt in cities. “As the government imposes fine on stubble burning, it should be imposed on burning of waste as well,” he said.

Composting reduces need for chemical fertilisers

Compost is created from plant materials such as grass, dry leaves or vegetable leftovers that can be decomposed. It can help enrich the soil, holding moisture, suppressing plant diseases and filtering harmful pests. Composting reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.