Garbage, leaf litter being burnt over 3kms on Wardha Road

NAGPUR: Large-scale open burning of garbage and leaf litter is not just causing significant toxicity in the city’s air but also damaging existing green cover.
Such incidences are regularly coming to the fore. After Ajni Van, illegal burning has been spotted at over a 3-kilometre stretch on Wardha Road.
In the last two days, environment activists spotted large-scale burning ahead of Panjra toll at Wardha Road.According to them, burning of dried leaf litter and other waste materials is spreading like forest fire, thus destroying age-old existing trees. “At these spots, fire has damaged teak and other trees,” said activist Kunal Mourya.
On the same stretch, open burning is taking place at different locations. “The fire is spreading so fast that it is covering a 2-km patch. We tried to find out the culprits but could not,” added Mourya.
TOI recently reported about open burning of garbage at Ajni Van by the contractors of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Despite repeated complaints, no action was taken by any authority.
Open burning of garbage is a contempt of court. In December 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a complete ban on burning of waste in open spaces, and announced a fine of Rs 25,000 on each incidence. Taking serious cognizance of air pollution, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court had also prohibited the activity.
Once again, the illegal activity has gone on the rise. In the loco shed area at Ajni, toxic fumes from open burning of garbage posed a serious health threat to nearby residents. “The authorities have completely turned a blind eye to all our issues. No FIR has been filed against illegal tree felling at Ajni Van, no action is being taken against open garbage burning despite strict rules in place,” said environment activist Anasuya Kale Chhabrani.
TOI could not contact NMC officials but sources said that the civic body has received various complaints in the last one month. Based on complaints posted on Twitter, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) directed NMC to take urgent action into the matter.