Increased garbage burning irks residents
A file photo of LWMC garbage truck. PHOTO: Express
Alarming reports reveal that the residents of the federal capital are increasingly perturbed by the surge in garbage burning, contributing to heightened air pollution levels that, in turn, are causing respiratory diseases and other health complications.
In response to the escalating threat of smog and the deteriorating air quality, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration has taken a proactive step by enforcing Section 144 to prohibit open waste burning. This decision comes in line with a request from the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), emphasising the urgency to control the spiking risk of smog.
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The latest environmental assessment by the EPA indicates that the air quality in the capital city is categorised as unhealthy. The concentration of particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) exceeds the permissible limits outlined in the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). This concerning trend underscores the immediate need for comprehensive measures to address the sources of pollution.
Suleiman Agha, a resident of Sector G-7/1, paints a disconcerting picture of the city’s atmosphere during evening hours. Small heaps of burning garbage near public parks and street junctions contribute to a murky ambience, posing a significant risk to the health of the residents.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2023.