Traders continue to import restricted gases: NEPA

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) officials on Tuesday said traders continued to illegally import gases which harmed the natural environment.

These views were expressed at a joint meeting between NEPA heads for Balkh, Kunduz, Baghlan, Samangan and Jawzjan provinces and Balkh sectorial departments’ heads in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh.

Samim Hushmand, a NEPA official, told Pajhwok Afghan News that similar meetings regarding protection of environment had been organized in other parts of the country.

He said Afghans were least familiar with environment protection and needed awareness in this regard. He said Afghan traders should avoid importing goods that polluted the environment and the air.

Deforestation, unnecessary use of water and greenhouses emissions had polluted the environment in urban areas, Hushmand added.

 “It is our responsibility to leave behind a healthy environment for our future generations, people should stop cutting jungles and be careful in using water,” he said.

Using destructive gases and materials not only added to weather temperature but also caused dangerous diseases such as skin cancer, he added.

“Families have an important role to play in environment protection, the room where an air conditioner is on should be shut as well as refrigerators because they produce destructive gases that pollute the environment,” Hushmand said.

He said tools for identification of harmful gases had been installed in the country’s customs offices, but they were still imported through smuggling routes.

Meanwhile, Ghulam Nabi Khurami, NEPA head for Balkh, said air in Mazar-i-Sharif city had recently polluted. He linked the air pollution to increased population, rise in vehicles and lack of green areas.

He asked officials concerned to ban materials at customs that caused air pollution.

Mazar-i-Sharif mayor, Nasir Ahmad Aini, said they were trying to revive green areas in the city.

He also asked people to cooperate in protecting the environment protection and clean streams passing in front of their houses.

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