Pune's Air Quality Crisis: Illegal Crop and Waste Burning Choke Sus and Mhalunge Areas
In recent years, the issue of garbage, dry waste, and crop burning has escalated from isolated incidents to a city-wide crisis in Pune, forcing residents to endure the toxic fallout of these illegal activities. The air quality has significantly deteriorated, with some localities bearing the brunt of incessant burning, leading to severe health and environmental concerns.
Sus Area: Crop Burning and Forest Fires Worsen Pollution
Take the example of Sus, where crop burning occurred as recently as February this year. Farmers resort to this low-cost shortcut to prepare land for the next season, despite awareness of better alternatives. Suresh Sasar, a local farmer, explained, "Crop burning was done by farmers themselves in Sus last month. They mostly burn leftover rice crop because they don't want to invest money in proper disposal or donate it as cattle fodder. It's not that villagers are unaware of these options; it's just faster and cheaper to burn the crop instead."
Forest fires compound the problem in Sus. The forest department lacks fire lines—gaps in combustible material like dry leaves—to prevent flames from spreading. Sasar added, "Most of these fires are lit on purpose to get rid of wild grass. Since much of this land is private, there's not much authorities can do." The recurrence intensifies during summer, exacerbating air pollution.
The effects are long-lasting and widespread. During crop burning, smoke is so intense that even residents living kilometers away suffer from poor air quality. Suhas Kalyani, a businessman and resident, stated, "Breathing is extremely difficult these days. Local housing societies have complained to the gram panchayat multiple times, but to no avail. The area has many hills, and fires are rampant on top of these, too."
Mhalunge Area: Waste Burning and Construction Add to Woes
In neighboring Mhalunge, the situation mirrors that of Sus. Residents report that burning trash at two nearby garbage depots and smaller piles around Balewadi stadium is a daily source of pollution. Pavanjeet Mane, an IT professional and resident, said, "Not only does rampant construction in the area add to our AQI woes, but workers at these sites tend to burn their waste."
He detailed a specific issue: "There is a garbage depot about 2km from my society, and the waste dumped there is set on fire almost every other day. The air is heavy and always smells foul. I have raised multiple complaints online, for which Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has raised tickets and then closed them without any action on the ground."
Broader Implications and Community Response
The illegal burning activities in Pune are not just localized problems but part of a larger environmental crisis. Residents in affected areas like Sus and Mhalunge face ongoing health risks, including respiratory difficulties, due to the degraded air quality. Despite community efforts to lodge complaints with local authorities, such as the gram panchayat and PMC, responses have been ineffective, leaving many feeling helpless.
Key factors contributing to this crisis include:
- Economic pressures driving farmers to opt for cheap crop burning methods.
- Lack of infrastructure, like fire lines in forests, to prevent fire spread.
- Inadequate waste management leading to frequent trash burning.
- Rapid urban construction adding particulate matter to the air.
As Pune continues to grow, addressing these issues is crucial for public health and environmental sustainability. Without prompt and decisive action from authorities, residents may face worsening air quality and associated health problems in the coming years.
