The production of quicklime harms people and the environment in Tajikistan

5:23 PM, todayAuthor: Asia-Plus

An article posted on CABAR.asias According to the website, hundreds of households in southern Tajikistan suffer from black and foul-smelling smoke from lime kilns. Environmental experts say the damage from these emissions is evident even outside the area.

Nine lime kilns producing quicklime 24/7 are reportedly located in the Qizil Qala jamoat of Khuroson district in Khatlon province, 80 kilometers south of Dushanbe.

Quicklime for construction work is sold to various cities and regions of the country.

The waste from this dangerous industry is dumped in the nearby hills. According to environmental experts, this is harmful to the environment.

The experts also state that the black smoke released when burning lime is very harmful. It increases the number of diseases, especially such as high blood pressure and respiratory diseases.

Nevertheless, local residents, who have been suffering from harmful smoke and dirt from lime kilns for years, do not complain about this to the authorities. This production allows dozens of residents of nearby villages to provide for their families.

Asroriddin Tabarov, head of the Khuroson District Environmental Protection Department, said these lime kilns are owned by two companies that have been granted lifetime licenses.

According to him, they hold meetings and dialogue with workers from this industry, warn about the dangers and ask them to stop burning lime. However, they cannot close production because they are officially working.

He says that they visit the ovens with representatives of law enforcement agencies, explain everything, but they work officially. “Last year they were fined more than 40,000 somonis (about $3,700). They are under control,” Tabarov said.

Although lime kilns pollute the air and damage the environment, he said there were no official complaints from residents.

Environmental expert Yaqubali Qurbonov said the stinking smoke is harmful to people and the environment, and the waste generated in the kilns is dumped into rivers.

The experts argue that although quicklime production provides income for most nearby households, if it is moved to remote places where no people now live, there will be less damage.

Kamol Qurbonov, an employee of the Environmental Protection Department of Khatlon Province, said CABAR.asia in an interview that they were aware of the problem of quicklime production, which has existed for years.

According to Asroriddin Tabarov, the owners of two quicklime production companies reported that they had purchased two special devices from China, each costing about $50,000.

“It is unclear when they will be delivered, but these devices are expensive, so they have not been installed yet. These are special chimneys that will reduce air pollution and harm to people,” said Asroriddin Tabarov.