Madagascar: FITROAFANA TALATAMATY – The smoke from a dump pollutes the air

Residents of Fitroafana, Talatamaty, are facing health issues. Smoke from burning waste is poisoning the air in their neighborhood.

Polluting smoke. For the past six months, smoke from burning waste has been polluting the air in the Fitroafana district of the municipality of Talatamaty, where thousands of people, including residents and factory workers, live. These emissions are causing various illnesses, such as cough and chest conditions.

Rachèle Rafanoharana, a resident of Fitroafana Talatamaty, testifies: “From morning to night, plastic fumes pollute our environment. Personally, I have been a victim of it, and I still suffer from it now. The worst part is that we cannot close our windows, because otherwise, there is no ventilation. But if we leave them open, the smoke goes directly into our house.”

Another resident of the neighborhood, Nantenaina Andrianina, adds: “It is difficult for us to live with this polluting smoke. We know very well that it is harmful to our health. We hope that the local authorities will take firm measures against this unpleasant situation, because I too have been ill due to this smoke.”

Previously, this waste storage area was a basketball court. Its use resulted from a collaboration between the district and the owner. “Even non-residents from here (Ambohidratrimo, Ivato, and Andranomena) throw their trash in our landfill,” denounces Hajatiana Rakotondravelo, chief of the Fitroafana Talatamaty district. He adds that unknown individuals burn these waste early in the morning or late at night. “We are always trying to identify them. However, it is the responsibility of the district to control the fires to prevent damages.” Residents have complained about pollution from the landfill smoke to the district.

Closely monitored In principle, the rural municipality of Talatamaty collects garbage every week. The municipality’s secretary general, Jonas Rakotonirina, states that the municipality does not have garbage bins. However, trucks travel through each district to collect waste. The secretary general of the municipality states that he is not aware of the existence of this landfill in Fitroafana. Nevertheless, he assures that this situation will be closely monitored. He also emphasizes that the district chief or a resident should report such situations to the municipality.

Mialisoa Ida