Waste management is a big problem in Rahim Yar Khan. The municipal administration of Rahim Yar Khan has adopted a new method for managing the city’s large waste. This method is causing serious health concerns among residents.
It is a rather easy method, but the health hazards it brings are alarming. The MCRYK burns everyday waste, causing tons of Carbon emissions yearly, adding to air pollution and global warming.
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Impact On Residents
Riaz Ahmed, a businessman in the Jinnah Park area, expressed his frustration with the lack of garbage collection in his neighbourhood. Instead, waste piles up in one spot and is eventually set on fire. Sanitation workers say they don’t even have a trolley for collecting garbage, adding to the problem.
Ahmed explains, “When we ask for help, the sanitation teams reduce their visits. Even when they do come, they only collect some of the garbage, leaving the rest to burn.”
Similar issues are reported by Arsalan Ali, a resident of Canal Park, who says that garbage in his area is dumped in an empty lot and set ablaze. This causes unpleasant odours and thick smoke, making life difficult for residents.
Ali points out that while the Punjab government is working to reduce pollution, the actions of the municipal corporation in Rahim Yar Khan are making things worse.
Amount Of Daily Waste
A 2013 report by the Punjab government indicated that Rahim Yar Khan produced around 169 tons of waste daily. By 2023, this was expected to increase to nearly 287 tons daily. Despite the city’s growing waste, no official landfill has been established, leaving waste to be collected in scattered “collection points.”
Current Waste Disposal Practices
According to Muhammad Zubair Kanjo, the Sanitary Supervisor, waste is collected at ten points across the city and then taken to three main dumping sites using tractor-trolleys.
These sites are located near Khanpur Ada, Overhead Bridge, and in suburban areas like Norewali Moor and Moh Mubarak.
The Municipal Corporation’s records show that about 120 tons of waste are collected daily and transported to these points.
However, if the official estimates are correct, more than 150 tons of waste are likely burned within city limits daily. Despite this, municipal officials deny that burning takes place at dumping sites.
Municipal Corporation Chief Officer Mahmood Ahmad claims that since his appointment, waste has been transported in trucks to Moh Mubarak Road, where it is buried.
He also mentioned that some private waste collectors might be burning garbage and that any municipal employee found burning waste would face consequences, though no formal complaints have been filed.
Health Risks & Pollution Concerns
The lack of a landfill and limited resources in Rahim Yar Khan means that nearly 287 tons of waste are left in piles, often producing smoke in various areas.
Ahmad Raza Butt, Administrator and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) shared that government land has been identified for a future landfill site.
He said, “We’re working on a multimillion-rupee project, and new machinery for waste disposal will be installed soon.”
Residents near Khanpur Ada, like Shafqat Ali, have also been affected. Ali mentioned that waste is burned near his house, causing thick smoke that makes breathing hard.
Medical Impacts Due To Pollution
Dr. Imran Bashir, a pulmonologist at Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital, notes that many patients come in with respiratory issues, often worsened by the smoke from garbage fires.
“Before the smog season, we saw about 300 patients daily. Now, it’s around 450, with respiratory issues up by nearly 20%,” he explained. Cold, flu, and cough cases have also risen during this period.
Dr. Muhammad Ramadan, an eye specialist, said that the smoke can irritate the eyes and worsen without timely treatment. He noted that cases of eye irritation have increased by 7 to 8% since the smog season began.
Government Response & Pollution Statistics
Aamir Rahmani, Assistant Director at the Department of Environmental Protection, stated that municipal workers were instructed not to burn waste as smog season began. However, he acknowledged that waste burning might still happen in some residential areas.
During the smog season, Rahim Yar Khan’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 140 but has since improved. However, according to IQAir’s report on December 5, the city’s AQI was still 160, 14.6 times above the World Health Organization’s standards.
Environmental Causes of Smog
Umair Azhar, a professor at the Institute of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, explained that industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, and crop burning cause smog. These pollutants mix with moisture in the air, creating smog. Burning waste, especially plastic, adds to the pollution, increasing health risks for the community.
