A concerning environmental issue was brought to light by a local resident, Amit Lale, who highlighted the harmful practice of grass burning at the park near Little World Mall, Kharghar.

Taking to social media platform X on 23rd December, Lale tagged the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) and questioned the necessity of burning dry grass, pointing out that it could be cut and repurposed instead. He also expressed his discontent with the resulting pollution, especially during the winter season, when air quality is already a pressing concern. 

He said, “Why to burn grass in park when you can cut and use it? So much pollution in this winter season. This is at Kharghar Little World mall park around 8:00 pm.”

In the photographs shared by Lale, sections of dry grass in the park can be seen ablaze, with flames covering patches of the field. Thick plumes of smoke rise into the night air, illuminated by bright park lights.

In one image, individuals are seen standing near the burning grass, with the hazy atmosphere creating an ominous setting.

The second photograph captures multiple spots of fire scattered across the park, with heavy smoke engulfing the area, further highlighting the scale of the burning. 

Jovita Shivkumar another resident said, “The timing to burn it at night also is very sinister, as it adds to pollution in the thick air, as the cold weather combined with smoke could pose serious respiratory risks to residents in the vicinity.”

Grass burning, often undertaken as a quick and cost-effective method to clear land, is known to contribute to localised air pollution. The smoke produced contains harmful particulate matter and carbon emissions, which can aggravate respiratory conditions and degrade the air quality. This practice also poses potential risks to wildlife and disrupts the ecological balance of the area. 

Shivkumar added, “The dry grass could be collected and used as compost or animal feed rather than being set alight. The civic authorities should discourage burning and encourage eco-friendly methods of getting rid of overgrown grass.”