NGO urges PPCB to clear waste dumps near edu institutes

Vatrukh Foundation, an organisation for uplifting community and social welfare, has written to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and urged them to lift the garbage dumps outside various educational institutions across the state.

In the letter, the organisation has cited the examples of Government Senior Secondary School, Katani Kalan, Sahnewal; Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School and Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, Ludhiana; Kabir Park in Ward number 84; Global towers in Amritsar; Nankana Sahib Public School, Samrala; Guru Nanak Mission School and Baby Model School, Ludhiana; Shooting Range and Sports Department in Mohali.

Foundation Director and Head Samita Kaur said secondary garbage points have been created near all these educational institutions, causing nuisance and health hazards.

“The foundation has identified many more such secondary garbage points, which have been created in the proximity of the educational sites in towns and cities of Punjab,” she added. “Despite repeatedly reminding local authorities, this has been ongoing. This is contradictory to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The rule number 15 prohibits dumping of waste in open areas adjoining schools and burning garbage near schools,” Kaur said.

President Voice of Amritsar Indu Aurora, Akash Kapoor from Kapurthala, Gurpreet Singh Palaha from Ludhiana, Dr Navneet Bhullar from Jalandhar, Tejpal Singh Mangat from Katani Kalan, Kulwant Singh Gill from Doraha and Principal of Nankana Sahib Public School, Samrala, are among the key figures who raised the issue.

They highlighted that children inhale gases and micro-particles from the decaying waste, plastics, chemicals and burning garbage, and as a result, they can suffer from asthma, chronic cough, bronchitis, reduced lung capacity and frequent pneumonia.

“As their lungs are still developing and they breathe faster, they draw in more toxins per minute than adults. As garbage dumps release lead, mercury and cadmium, exposure can cause lower IQ, poor memory, attention problems and behavioural issues among kids,” the organisation’s members said.

“Moreover, the open garbage sites near their educational institutions attract flies, mosquitoes, stray animals etc, which can spread diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, dengue, malaria and skin infection, among others. With weak immunity, children get sick more frequently. Their height and weight may lag behind as a result of this as well. Nutrition absorption gets affected as when these kids play in the ground, they are prone to come in contact with the contaminated soil. As their organs are still developing, the damage can be almost permanent, which may lead to stunted growth,” said Indu Aurora.

Samita Kaur said studies from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Indian Journal of Paediatrics show that children living within 100–250 metres of municipal dumpsites show higher incidence of respiratory illnesses and lower lung function.

“Lead levels in children near dumps are often above World Health Organization (WHO) prescribed safety limits. Burning waste increases particulate pollution 10 to 20 times above the safe levels. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has repeatedly ordered that there should be no open dumping within 100 metres of schools, religious places, residential areas and hospitals. Municipal bodies must maintain clean peripheries around all public institutions. Violations need to be taken seriously and dealt with effectively,” she said. “In response to a post we put out on X, the PPCB asked us to send a detail of all the identified spots so that action may be initiated,” added the foundation head.