Burning of fallen leaves going on unabated in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag: Ahead of winter in kashmir, people including sawmill owners  begin to burn the fallen leaves, wood prune and twigs of trees to make charcoal in preparation for winter, which  is an important source of ambient  air pollution here in south Kashmir area of Anantnag District.

According to sources the district is witnessing these days burning of huge quantity of leaves and twigs that  increases pollution levels.  Sources said that in Danter side of Anantnag district, incessant burning of leaves  leads to the formation of smog which affects general visibility in surrounding areas .Remarkably ,the area is hub of the sawmill owners who can be seen  burning  wood prune ,saw dust etc in open fields.

While talking to the Arising state an official of (PCB) pollution control board Anantnag ,wishing non anonymity  said that it  is totally illegal to burn the leaves and twigs in open field. He said that the state government announced last month that it would begin enforcing an existing ban on the burning of leaves and wood pruned from trees in an open field.

The government said such burning is hazardous for health, and ash from the fires contributes to the melting of glaciers in the region,official said.

However a doctor in the GMC Anantnag while talking to the Arising state said that because of poor air quality (Air Pollution) with cold air the number of patients with respiratory diseases like COPD, Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema with other respiratory diseases is rising very sharply, because of poor air quality with cold air, while the number of chest disease patients increases exponentially from November,the  doctor said.

Added that patients with Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Allergic Bronchitis like lung disease, are most susceptible to the ill-effects of leaf smoke, the smoke is very dangerous for COPD/ chest disease patients and leaves them breathless. This smoke pollution further worsens / decorating the conditions of said chest disease patients, the doctor said.

Rao Farman Ali ,a Researcher/Author while talking to the Arising state said that the burning of abscised leaves,   releases large amounts of particle matter in air, which includes fine bits of dust, soot, harmful particles and toxic gases aggravating air pollution.

He said that Incessant burning of leaves also leads to the formation of smog which affects general visibility. Similarly, increased production of carbon dioxide/ carbon monoxide by such burning also contributes to global warming. He added that in order to protect the life and environment of the general public, it is particularly advised to avoid such practices henceforth.

Rao Farman said that Carbon monoxide binds with the hemoglobin in our red blood cells, and reduces the amount of oxygen in our blood, when exposed to large amounts of smoke, a person can collapse and die in a short span of time,” he said.He further said that the concerned department here in Anantnag district has vowed to aware people about the impact of open field burning of leaves . Adding the department should act against the owners of sawmills also who are burning the huge quantity of wood prune and making charcoal for winter, he said.

Meanwhile, talking to the Arising state (ADPCBO) Anantnag District pollution control board officer Bashir Ahmad said, ”we have visited some areas in District Anantnag after receiving the information about the open field burning. The open field burning is a violation and it impacts  the pollution, he said.Added that the state government has already announced last month that it would begin enforcing an existing ban on the burning of leaves and wood prune from trees in open fields.”