news details |
|
|
| Pollution more dangerous than terrorism, say lawmakers | | Accuse PCB of corruption | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Pahalgam, June 7: Describing pollution more dangerous than terrorism, members of environment committee of the state legislative assembly on Saturday accused pollution control board (PCB) of corruption and throwing committee recommendations to winds.
"The enforcement agencies which are supposed to implement the recommendations of the committee put forth from time to time for controlling pollution simply thrown them in dustbin which is the reason that state's hasn't yet reached to a level where we can resolve the burning environmental issues which we confront," MLA Homeshalibugh, Abdul Majid Larmi, who is also the member of environment committee of the assembly, said in a seminar titled 'Environment conservation and sustainable development' organized by the Himalayan welfare organization (HWO) Pahalgam at townhall here.
He said that none of the recommendations of the assembly panel on environment was being implemented.
"Since 1972 we have enacted several laws particularly in waste management but enforcing agencies have failed so far in implementing these laws," he added.
He alleged that the pollution control board meant to control the pollution has become a hub of corruption with the pollution level is increasing fast.
"You can guess the level of corruption in Pollution Control Board that my own business partner in Khutwa without installing any pollution controlling device in his factory managed to obtain NOC from PCB against 2 lakh rupees," Larmi said.
He said that the pollution being caused by the cement factories in Khrew area of Pampore was badly affecting the lives of the people and number of cancer patients was increasing at an alarming rate.
"Almost all the people of the area are suffering from severe respiratory disorders due to the dust emanating from the factories. Many people there are suffering from cancer. I have no hesitation to say that pollution control board has failed to perform its job," Larmi said, adding pollution of the area is all set to affect Sonmarg and Pahalgam because of the shot aerial distance.
Another lawmaker and member of the environment committee, Gulzar Ahmad Wani said that the pollution in the country was posing more threat to the human lives than terrorism. "Life is possible only when environment is safe. The way the environment is being polluted is matter of concern. Situation is very alarming not only in valley but in the entire country," Wani said.
"Pollution is posing more threat to the life than terrorism as it has no borders. Modi Ji can control the cross border terrorism but not cross border pollution," Wani said.
Organizer of the seminar and president, HWO, Mushtaq Pahalgami criticized the authorities for failing to take any concrete measures to save the picturesque spot like Pahalgam from being polluted.
He urged Pahalgam Development Authority to identify land for the purpose of dumping garbage and restrain from dumping solid and liquid waste in river Lidder near tulyan.
Apart from lawmakers, students, teachers, and people hailing from cross sections of society attended the semiar and spoke on the occasion.
In the seminar a vision document was also prepared highlighting pressing environmental concerns bothering people in the region and possible solutions thereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
