Kyaukphyu residents call for relocation of municipal garbage dumpsite

By DMG 24 Mar 2021

DMG Newsroom
24 March 2021, Kyaukphyu 

Residents in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township have asked for the relocation of a rubbish dumpsite, saying its current location in their neighbourhood was causing health problems and a pervasive stench. 

Rubbish from the town is dumped at the site near Taung Yin ward. And residents from not only Taung Yin but also nearby wards such as Kalar Bar Taung, Mya Kan Thar and Nga La Pwe have complained about the smell of garbage, and health problems such as dizziness, high blood pressure and ulcers as a result of the noxious fumes from the dump. 

“The nasty smell always comes whenever garbage at the dumpsite is burned. There is always a burning smell. I have developed ulcers on my neck due to the smell. There is a huge pile of rubbish at the dumpsite. It smells throughout the day, regardless of wind direction. Rubbish is burned throughout the day at the dumpsite,” said Taung Yin resident Daw Ma Thein Nyunt. 

Residents want the dumpsite to be moved to another location, said fellow ward resident U Wai Balu.

“We residents want the dumpsite to be moved as far away as possible. It has serious impacts on the children. It takes much longer for sores to heal. It smells less strongly in the rainy season, but it smells throughout the hot season,” he said. 

Former Arakan State lawmaker for Kyaukphyu Township U Poe San suggested burning the garbage systematically with an incinerator. 

When asked for comment by DMG over the phone, executive U Tun Aung Zan of the Kyaukphyu Township municipality hung up after saying: “It is the same issue other townships are also facing. Please find out if the dumpsite was set up before or after those who are complaining started to live there.” 

Residents from Taung Yin and nearby wards said they had lived there long before the dumpsite was established. 

DMG visited the dumpsite on Tuesday and found garbage burning, with smoke filling the air.