Pungent burning smell of plastic, tyres, leaves etc. has become common across Nagpur. Recently, on the eve of Pola in Nagpur, rubble of leaves and wood were burnt at the centre of traffic signals. As shocking as that may sound, it was a reality everyone at Nagpur had to deal with. The smoke from burning the rubble was blinding, and difficult to breathe. At a time when pollution is wreaking havoc around the world, such irresponsible behaviour is only adding to the misery.
Toxic Fumes
Burning waste in public is supposed to be banned in Nagpur and perpetrators are liable to pay heavy fines. However, blatant violation of the law is seen on an everyday basis. The most common violators are the trash pickers, whether working privately or for the NMC, who burn the trash on the side of the road or behind a locality. The fumes from this can be toxic as the waste may contain plastic, rubber and E-waste. Moreover, such activity adds to the pollution of Nagpur. The common man of Nagpur is also an equal culprit. Burning of waste paper and other solid waste is pretty common for individuals.
Cities like Delhi are already suffering the aftermath of waste burning today. Clean air is rare and citizens of such cities bear the risk of lung cancer, which is caused by performing the activity which is essential for human existence, breathing.
No more a Green City?
Nagpur citizens can consider themselves lucky as nature's lungs, the trees are abundant across the city and have kept the ill - effects of burning waste to its minimum. However, with rapid development across the city, there is a high chance of the number of trees across Nagpur to dwindle.
With temperatures frequently crossing 45 degrees celsius every year, rise of temperatures and other weather abnormalities will rise as years pass due to increase in pollution. Unsupervised waste burning will only add to the troubles. Unless preventive measures are taken, a rise in pollution, air borne diseases due to pollution and rising temperatures is a future that awaits Nagpurians.
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