Rewards offered for photos of waste burning

The government has taken a new initiative to ensure active public participation in stopping indiscriminate waste burning. Citizens who submit photographs of waste burning along with necessary details will be eligible for rewards, with prizes to be given to the best 10 photos every month.

The information was disclosed in a press release issued on Tuesday, signed by Dipankar Bar, public relations officer of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The release said air quality across the country is deteriorating alarmingly due to vehicle emissions, brick kiln pollution, industrial smoke and open burning of waste. As a result, the risk of respiratory diseases and other health hazards is increasing.

To address the situation, the government is taking strong measures to identify and control sources of air pollution. Waste burning, identified as one of the major sources of air pollution, will be targeted through effective action. Specific information will be collected from areas where waste burning occurs regularly.

To engage citizens in preventing air pollution, people have been urged to send photographs of waste burning incidents. Photos should be emailed to the designated address along with the sender’s name, mobile number, exact location and time of the incident.

After verification, the best 10 photographs each month will be awarded prizes, the release said.