Environment officials voice burning concerns

City government urges people not to use plastic bags and tyres as fuel.


Sher Khan January 03, 2011

LAHORE: Officials of the city district government’s Environment Protection Department have urged that people refrain from burning tyres and toxic materials for heating purposes.

According to residents in Mughalpura and other low-income areas, an increasing number of people are burning alternative energy sources such as wood, plastic and other trash have increased due to gas load shedding.

“Normally there were loads of branches around my apartment complex, but they have thinned as people have started cutting wood for kindling,” said 44-year-old labourer Khalid.

Muzaffar, a resident of the Fatehgarh housing complex, said that many of his friends now found burning trash to be the only means of ensuring they had hot food.

“I’m never sure whether or not we will have enough gas to cook so we use wood or gas cylinders,” Muzaffar said. “Even wood now costs Rs100 and gas cylinders cost around Rs120 for just three days.”

Muzaffar said many people had tried lighting small bonfires in the centre of their rooms but the smoke made people sick. “A lot of people I know will use anything flammable to keep warm,” he said.

An EPD official said air pollution had surged dramatically this winter. “In northern Lahore there are frequent reports of tyre burning, which is extremely detrimental for air quality,” said the air quality expert. “The winter spell in Lahore shows some of the highest figures with regards to air pollution.”

According to EPD air quality reports, there was an increase in general air pollution ratings in Gulberg in November 2010.

A city government official said that at the present time there was no initiative to provide alternative heating sources for residents in low-income localities. “People are banking on the natural gas situation to improve but no real steps are being taken,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2011.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ