Dear Editor,
Having looked forward to the long Easter weekend and intending to enjoy spending all of it relaxing in the comfort of my home, I awoke early Easter Saturday morning to the pungent smell of burning.
The fumes pervaded my home, causing itchy eyes and much discomfort breathing. The culprit was the usual one – the friendly neighbours burning their garbage in what they perceive as their backyard, which just happens to be in close proximity to the location of my porch and my living room and bedroom. The smoke lingers throughout the day going on laundry on the outdoor clothes lines and on just about everything.
Another conversation across the fence about this recurring problem reveals a lack of sensitivity of the inconvenience caused to others by this backyard burning of garbage. There is a reason why serial garbage burners do not usually burn garbage in the front of their yards.
In some municipalities, backyard burning is outlawed for its effects on health and the environment. I would be grateful for your assistance in getting the relevant authorities to educate the public on the legality of this practice in Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Sandra Khan
