SWABI, Oct 19: Waste and entrails of sacrificial animals left by people on the edges of roads, streets and drains have polluted the environment, which could cause diseases, while the tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs) of four tehsils here also failed to make sufficient cleanliness arrangements.

People here said that as the TMAs regularly collected taxes it was the responsibility of its sanitary staff to work during Eid days and dispose of the discarded organs of sacrificial animals and waste lying scattered in residential areas.

The entrails and waste have blocked drains in some parts of the city where overflowing dirty water is spreading stinking smell in the entire area. People also failed to show a sense of responsibility as instead of disposing of waste in open areas away from their residences they have thrown them in streets. “An unbearable stench prevailed in both urban and rural areas due to negligence of the TMAs and people to keep their areas clean. This could create health problems if prompt action for ensuring cleanliness is not taken,” said Mohammad Shafiq of Swabi city.

In addition, the butchers have stored the hides in makeshift tents and shops on roadsides in cities.

“Such a business should not be allowed in the city markets and populated areas and the animal waste should be disposed of far away from population,” said a principal of government school.

The TMAs staff told Dawn that people did not bother to take steps for cleanliness in cities and villages, throwing the wastes of sacrificial animals wherever they liked.

A resident Dilbar Khan said that people should ensure cleanliness in areas where they lived, as pollution-free environment was essential to ward off diseases. “We should not only blame the government. People are also equally accountable for their deeds,” he said about the scattered waste and entrails of sacrificial animals.

When contacted, the TMA officials said that they had deputed staff to keep the cities clean and pick up the wastes during Eid days. They rejected the residents’ claim that they did not see the sanitary staff.

However, they admitted that due to staff shortage they could not reach the rural areas.

Meanwhile, the Tarbela Dam and Tarbela Power House authorities had deputed staff which picked and disposed of the waste and offal from all residential colonies.

“Our sanitary staff gets additional payment for duty during Eid days,” said an official.