Residents in the Deepor Beel area are living a nightmarish life as waste at the dumping ground has been burning for the past couple of months
GUWAHATI: The continuous burning of waste at the dumping ground at Deepor Beel has become a major concern for residents in the area.
They feel that authorities have not effectively addressed this issue, leading to frustration and raising serious questions about environmental management.
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For the past 2-3 years, residents of Belortol have endured unpleasant odors emanating from the dumping ground. However, the situation worsened with the ongoing burning of waste since February; acrid smoke has enveloped the area, making it challenging for residents to breathe properly and carry out daily activities like drying clothes outdoors.
Concerns escalated when residents adjacent to Deepor Beel noticed the burning of waste at the dumping site since February 15. Environment activist Pramod Kalita took action by submitting a memorandum to the Pollution Control Board, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
On April 8, the Pollution Control Board submitted a report indicating that the waste dumping site in the Boragaon area posed serious threats to the survival of diverse aquatic species in the water body. The report attributed the pollution to the burning of waste, emphasising the need for immediate action.
Padmini Englang Rangshal, a resident of Deepor Beel talking to GPlus described the continuous burning of waste as "slow poison" that is destroying the community. She likened the situation to a scene from the film Singham, where babies suffered due to smoke inhalation. Rangshal criticised the government for neglecting the well-being of residents.
The impact of the waste burning goes beyond physical discomfort, with residents reporting feeling nauseous and unwell due to poor air quality. The smoke has spread to neighboring areas like Pamohi and the Bhimasankar temple, affecting residents and devotees alike.
Promila Teron, another resident in Teron Path at Deepor Beel talking to GPlus said, "The smoke makes it hard to breathe and stops us from drying clothes outside. We urge the government to help us."
Talking to GPlus, Sarita Teron, another resident in Pamohi said, "Living so close to the dumping ground, it is practically next door. To keep flies out, we shut our doors, but crows keep bringing trash into our yard. It's covered with pests and insects, and the foul smell permeates our home. My son's health has worsened lately. We are visiting the doctor 2-3 times a week. We suspect the dumping ground is to blame for his illness."
Another resident echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the unpleasant smell and difficulty in breathing caused by the burning waste.
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The continuous burning of waste at the Deepor Beel dumping ground poses serious health and environmental risks to residents and wildlife in the area.
This environmental crisis has not only caused discomfort but also posed a serious threat to health crisis among the residents of Deepor Beel.