Kotli Faces Environmental Crisis Amid Poor Solid Waste Management

Kotli: (News Desk) – The city is grappling with a worsening environmental and public health crisis due to the absence of an effective solid waste management system. With no proper mechanism in place for waste disposal, garbage has accumulated across streets, markets, and public squares, creating unhygienic conditions and spreading foul odors throughout the area.

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According to local observations, approximately sixty tons of waste are generated daily in Kotli. However, the lack of a designated dumping site has compounded the problem, leaving municipal authorities struggling to manage the growing volume of refuse.

Instead of adopting scientific and environmentally safe waste disposal methods, Kotli Municipal Committee has reportedly resorted to burning garbage under the cover of darkness. This practice is releasing harmful smoke and toxic gases into the air, posing serious risks to the environment and the health of residents.

Meanwhile, the District Health Officer (DHO) Kotli has formally written a letter to the District Magistrate, warning about the heaps of waste scattered across the city and expressing serious concerns over the possibility of disease outbreaks as a result of the deteriorating sanitary conditions.

During the recent visit of Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore to Kotli, members of the media also drew his attention to the issue, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate intervention.

Environmental experts warn that continuous exposure to such pollutants can lead to respiratory diseases and long-term ecological damage. Citizens have expressed deep concern over the worsening situation and have urged authorities to implement sustainable and science-based waste management solutions.

The current crisis underscores the urgent need for proper planning, including the establishment of a regulated dumping site and the introduction of environmentally friendly waste disposal systems, to protect public health and restore ecological balance in Kotli.