Stench, sickness rise around Losar
The disposal of sacrificial animal waste (offal), garbage, and carcasses from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has created a severe health and environmental crisis as approximately 500 to 550 kanals of the Losar dumping ground are being used for dumping this waste, leading to outbreaks of various diseases in surrounding villages and areas.
At the Losar dumping site, the accumulation of hospital waste and animal remains has formed a mound of filth 13 to 15 feet high above ground level. Every day, 30 to 35 heavy trucks from the twin cities arrive here to dump garbage and carcasses. The waste from sacrificial animals across Islamabad district is also being dumped here, alongside regular city garbage.
Despite the presence of Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) heavy vehicles, the transportation of sacrificial animal waste to Losar is carried out without proper coverage, resulting in spillage along the roads. This not only damages the roads but also spreads filth over a wide area.
The villages and nearby settlements around Losarsuch as Harka and Partha Miraare now suffering from severe health issues, including eye irritation, hepatitis, cancer, tuberculosis, respiratory problems, throat infections, and digestive disorders.
The foul stench from the waste intensifies at night due to the wind, making sleep nearly impossible. Even light rains multiply the foul odor several times over.
Living and moving within this entire 1,000-kanal area has become extremely difficult. Both the CDA and Rawalpindi administration, as well as the provincial governments, had announced plans to promptly dispose of sacrificial animal waste using modern machinery.
However, these announcements remain unfulfilled.
Drivers of the twin cities' sanitation vehicles frequently unload the waste at the dumping ground and flee immediately, leaving the waste unprocessed. There is no spraying or sanitation treatment being carried out. Large animal intestines and carcasses rupture upon unloading, worsening the stench.
Despite repeated announcements, the Punjab government has taken no effective action to dispose of this waste. This year, the citywide sanitation and waste management arrangements were particularly poor. Due to the unbearable smell, local residents tried to prevent CDA trucks from dumping at Losar, but authorities thwarted their efforts.
Adding to the crisis, dead animals such as dogs, cats, rats, and chickens have also been dumped due to extreme heat, causing mental distress among residents. Locals have strongly protested this mismanagement.
Fayyaz Gilani demanded that the Losar dumping ground be shifted to a new location near Chak Beli Khan, as for 15 years the area has been contaminated by garbage, hospital waste, and hazardous chemicals, which have poisoned the underground water and air.
Farasat Khan urged CDA to establish a large, separate waste disposal site for Islamabad with a modern waste treatment plant. Nadir Khan said their children are falling victim to blindness, cancer, hepatitis, and skin diseases caused by this filth, demanding the immediate transfer of the dumping ground from Losar and a halt to Islamabad's waste being dumped in Rawalpindi.
Locals warned of severe protests and legal action if the situation remains unchanged, emphasising that their lives have been made unbearable and the value of their land has plummeted due to the waste site.