RTI activist calls for action against garbage burning in Dammaiguda
Hyderabad: Dammaiguda, a locality facing environmental issues, is witnessing a troubling trend as residents continue to burn waste and garbage. This practice has raised significant health hazards, prompting RTI activist and President of the Know Your Rights NGO, Srikhande Umesh Kumar, to voice his concerns on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Srikhande Umesh Kumar highlighted the persistent issue, stating, “Burning plastic and garbage is a common sight in Dammaiguda Municipality, yet the authorities seem indifferent. Can we expect any action against those recklessly harming our environment?”
Speaking with the Hyderabad Mail, Srikhande Umesh Kumar elaborated on the dangers of this practice, noting that many residents remain unaware of the potential health consequences and existing laws against burning waste. “Burning plastic releases toxic chemicals that can lead to respiratory problems, skin allergies, and in severe cases, cancer,” he warned.
He further explained that waste burning has been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by a lack of proper waste management. “This problem dates back to the panchayat days and has continued since Dammaiguda was upgraded to a municipality. Regular cleanup by GHMC sanitation staff could alleviate the issue, but the lack of cleaning forces residents to burn their garbage.”
Umesh Kumar pointed out that burning waste is a crime under the Telangana government’s laws. The Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016 and orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) explicitly prohibit open garbage burning. Violators face fines of ₹5,000 for minor incidents and up to ₹25,000 for larger quantities of waste.
“We can report incidents of garbage burning to the Telangana Pollution Control Board and file petitions with the NGT,” he stated.
Despite his repeated attempts to raise awareness among authorities, Umesh Kumar noted that enforcement remains weak. “I have raised this issue several times, but the authorities merely offer counsel without imposing fines. There needs to be greater awareness about the consequences of burning waste, and workshops could help educate the public.”
Umesh also expressed concern about the lack of knowledge among sanitation workers, many of whom are unaware that burning garbage is illegal and sometimes engage in the practice themselves. “Despite raising these issues multiple times, little has changed.”
In 2017, the Telangana Government issued an order that mandates a complete prohibition on the open burning of waste, including at landfill sites. According to the order, violators, including individuals and local bodies are liable to pay environmental compensation of ₹5,000 for minor incidents and ₹25,000 for bulk waste burning. These fines can be recovered as arrears of land revenue by the competent authority.
As Dammaiguda continues to face the ramifications of waste burning, the call for action and increased awareness becomes ever more pressing.
Burning plastic and garbage are very common sites in Dammaiguda Municipality as the authorities r the least bothered. Can we expect any action on the culprit who is reckless about our environment?@aadabhyd @RachakondaCop @NeelimaEaty @mc_dammaiguda @Collector_MDL pic.twitter.com/vmtmJ2V0X4
— Srikhande Umesh Kumar (@srikhande_umesh) October 27, 2024
