Leh turns into toxic smoke belt

Residents say workshops, scrap dealers burn waste material to extract oil

RAWALPINDI:

Despite restrictions imposed by the district administration and the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department, workshops, scrap dealers and old-tyre shops along Nullah Leh have stepped up the burning of tyres, plastic and other waste to extract oil and recover recyclable materials.

The practice is continuing at several locations on both sides of Nullah Leh, from Dhoke Ratta Bridge to Pirwadhai Bridge. Burning old tyres and plastic is producing thick, black and foul-smelling smoke, which is spreading across the surrounding areas and residential neighbourhoods.

Residents of Dhoke Ratta, Bhodha Godam, Ratta Amral, Hazara Colony, Fauji Colony, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Mangtal and Pirwadhai have complained of respiratory and other health problems, including coughing, eye irritation and ailments affecting the nose, throat and stomach.

Residents say tyres, plastic and other scrap, as well as household waste, were being set on fire during the day, evening and night. They claimed they were unable to prevent influential individuals from carrying out the practice.

Residents of Dhoke Ratta have urged the district administration to take immediate notice of the situation and stop the burning of tyres, plastic and scrap along Nullah Leh.

Citizens Waqar Shah, Fayyaz Akbar and Nadeem Akhtar said the burning of tyres, plastic and waste was prohibited and that the smog season had already begun. They called on the Environmental Protection Department to immediately halt the practice.

They said brick kilns, factories and smoke-emitting vehicles were further contributing to air pollution in Rawalpindi, while the city's air quality index had also crossed 100.

The residents said the government had already imposed a complete ban on burning old tyres to extract black oil and demanded action against those burning tyres and waste plastic.

They added that burning unusable tyres, plastic and scrap along Nullah Leh had become routine, while the remains were subsequently dumped into the nullah instead of being properly disposed of.

The residents said the practice was not only damaging the environment but also increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses among people living near the nullah. They urged the authorities to conduct regular inspections of workshops, scrap yards and tyre shops along the waterway and take action against those found violating environmental regulations.

They also called for the waste and burnt tyre residue dumped along Nullah Leh to be removed immediately, warning that the material could block the watercourse and worsen flooding during heavy rains. The residents demanded coordinated action by the district administration, Environmental Protection Department and local authorities to ensure a permanent end to open burning in the area.?