ANDREW MUKOMA
SunZambian
THE Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has cautioned residents in Livingstone against open burning of waste.
ZEMA Principal Inspector – Climate Change, Lillian Kalenge, said the emissions from the open burning of waste posed a threat to human health and also destroys the ecosystem.
Ms Kalenge said that open burning of waste was not allowed and that perpetrators risked being prosecuted.
She told the Daily Nation in Livingstone that ZEMA had noticed with concern the increasing number of residents engaging in open burning of waste.
And ZEMA Manager Corporate Affairs, Friday Phiri, added that his organisation was committed to controlling and to prevent pollution in order to reduce the effects of climate change.
Mr Phiri urged residents to avoid the indiscriminate disposal and burning of hazardous waste such as medical waste as environmental friendly methods should be observed.
Open burning refers to burning garbage in barrels, open pits, outdoor furnaces, woodstoves, or fireplaces. Open burning of garbage is much more harmful to health and the environment than many think.
