Land pollution: Afridi Garhi left out of Peshawar’s beautification efforts
Residents claim govt dumping solid waste in the area
All kinds of trash strewn across various plots in the area. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Though it seems the provincial government is hard at work to beautify Peshawar, one area in the capital area is clearly not part of that same picture.
Afridi Garhi is a residential area located at Ring Road in Peshawar, where residents claim the government is depositing the city’s solid waste.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ghulam Sarwar, a resident of Afridi Garhi, said, “Peshawar was once known as the ‘City of Flowers’ but now it has turned into ‘City of Filth’.” Sarwar added garbage heaps make it hazardous to live and work in Afridi Garhi.
Referring to the pollution in the area, Sarwar said, “This has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and house-flies,” contributing to the spread of different diseases. He said residents have complained about the problem to relevant officials many times. “They even filed a case over the issue in Peshawar High Court, but to no avail.”
Sher Bahadur, a loader in a local scrap godown, said, “The piles of garbage emit such a foul smell – it makes it difficult to work.” He said sometimes the government also burns the garbage there, making their lives “hell”.
The filth is putting their health at risk, Bahadur added. However, a of lack of education and employment opportunities has forced Afridi Garhi’s residents to work in these conditions, putting their lives at risk every day.
Residents have demanded the provincial government shift the dump to another area where people are not harmed.
Dumping on the city
According to a report published by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Peshawar generates about 295,395 tonnes of waste annually. University of Peshawar Environmental Sciences department Professor Dr Hizbullah said improper management of waste disposal causes health hazards and environmental problems. He said the presence of garbage in any area contributes to the spread of many respiratory diseases and stomach viruses.
When approached for comments, Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) CEO Muhammad Naeem said, “The government has purchased 66 acres of land for about Rs170 million, about 13 kilometres away from city in Maryamzai area of Badabher for disposal of waste.”
He said, “Once the project is launched, electricity would be generated from solid waste,” which will help improve this situation.
According to local government website, three projects, namely the Municipal Services Delivery Project, Sewerage/Solid Waste Management System for Peshawar project, and Beautification of Peshawar project, costing millions of rupees, are under progress.
But the heaps of garbage in Afridi Garhi and other residential areas raises the question – how is the government utilising its municipal funds?
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2015.
Though it seems the provincial government is hard at work to beautify Peshawar, one area in the capital area is clearly not part of that same picture.
Afridi Garhi is a residential area located at Ring Road in Peshawar, where residents claim the government is depositing the city’s solid waste.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ghulam Sarwar, a resident of Afridi Garhi, said, “Peshawar was once known as the ‘City of Flowers’ but now it has turned into ‘City of Filth’.” Sarwar added garbage heaps make it hazardous to live and work in Afridi Garhi.
Referring to the pollution in the area, Sarwar said, “This has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and house-flies,” contributing to the spread of different diseases. He said residents have complained about the problem to relevant officials many times. “They even filed a case over the issue in Peshawar High Court, but to no avail.”
Sher Bahadur, a loader in a local scrap godown, said, “The piles of garbage emit such a foul smell – it makes it difficult to work.” He said sometimes the government also burns the garbage there, making their lives “hell”.
The filth is putting their health at risk, Bahadur added. However, a of lack of education and employment opportunities has forced Afridi Garhi’s residents to work in these conditions, putting their lives at risk every day.
Residents have demanded the provincial government shift the dump to another area where people are not harmed.
Dumping on the city
According to a report published by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Peshawar generates about 295,395 tonnes of waste annually. University of Peshawar Environmental Sciences department Professor Dr Hizbullah said improper management of waste disposal causes health hazards and environmental problems. He said the presence of garbage in any area contributes to the spread of many respiratory diseases and stomach viruses.
When approached for comments, Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) CEO Muhammad Naeem said, “The government has purchased 66 acres of land for about Rs170 million, about 13 kilometres away from city in Maryamzai area of Badabher for disposal of waste.”
He said, “Once the project is launched, electricity would be generated from solid waste,” which will help improve this situation.
According to local government website, three projects, namely the Municipal Services Delivery Project, Sewerage/Solid Waste Management System for Peshawar project, and Beautification of Peshawar project, costing millions of rupees, are under progress.
But the heaps of garbage in Afridi Garhi and other residential areas raises the question – how is the government utilising its municipal funds?
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2015.