THIS is with reference to the shocking photograph (Metro-Central; June 6) showing Suthra Punjab vehicles dumping solid waste, as can be clearly seen in the accompanying image, in the already polluted Ravi riverbed. Such indiscrimi-
nate dumping not only degrades the environment, but also threatens to obstruct the natural flow of the river during the monsoon season. Unfortunately, similar dumping can be witnessed around the Lahore Ring Road near Mahmood Booti. Large heaps of waste have become breeding grounds for insects and a feeding attraction for birds. This reflects a serious lack of planning and environmental responsibility on the part of the authorities concerned.
There are far better ways to manage municipal waste. During my visits to Japan, I had the opportunity to observe how cities such as Tokyo and Okinawa address this challenge. In Tokyo, household waste is carefully segregated before collection. Different categories of waste are recycled, processed and disposed of through modern systems designed to minimise environ-mental harm and maximise resource recovery. What impressed me even more was the approach adopted in Okinawa.
Waste is collected and sorted with remarkable care. Many discarded materials are recycled and converted into useful products, including pottery and other household items. Landfill sites are scientifically engineered and managed.
Once filled, they are properly covered and transformed into green areas with grass and vegetation. The gases generated from decomposing waste are captured and utilised as a source of energy, turning a potential environmental hazard into a valuable resource for local communities.
The contrast with what we see around Lahore is striking. Here, waste is often dumped in open spaces, along roadsides and near water bodies without adequate environmental safeguards. Cleanliness cannot be achieved merely by collecting waste from one location and dumping it in another.
Effective waste management requires segregation at source, recycling, resource recovery and scientifically managed disposal facilities. Punjab’s cleanliness campaign surely deserves appreciation, but it must be complemented by a compre- hensive waste management strategy.
M. Shaban Uppal
Lahore
Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026