Mushrooming Mobile Tower, A Threat To Human And Environment

Mushrooming Mobile Tower, A Threat To Human And Environment

Mushrooming Mobile Tower, a threat to human and environment
Kesang Ongmu Bhutia, Rabang

Mobile Tower

Through worldwide scientific research and empirical studies it has been established that mobile towers poses a great health hazard to humans and other environmental species. The matter becomes more aggravated when such towers lie in the close proximity of schools and hospitals.

Therefore, on account of the ground reality I faced with reference to the later part of my above assertion I am writing this article. When I went to attend one of my sick relative at the Namchi district hospital I found out to my utter dismay that a mobile tower had been set up right near the hospital. I am still introspecting on why till date no one has brought up this issue with the local authorities? To co-relate with a few fact findings I had done earlier – The recent order by the Bihar government on removal of mobile towers located within the 100 metre radius of residential, hospital and school areas in the state capital is a landmark decision . However the impetus on the issue was provided on September 2012 when the Rajasthan High Court directed the service providers to remove mobile towers falling in the proximity of schools, hospitals and playgrounds. The Court held –“Radiation emitted from mobile towers is hazardous to children and patients”. Companies were further ordered to relocate from close proximity of ancient archaeological monuments and prisons. The telecom companies appealed against the interim order in the Supreme Court wherein the apex court rejected the appeal and upheld the order passed by the Rajasthan High court. This order subsequently was based on the inter ministerial meeting of the Central government held on may 31st 2012 wherein it was notified -“The electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phones and towers have both thermal and non-thermal effect causing various health hazards”.(The complete statement passed in this meet has been moderated because some readers may be quite disturbed to hear it. Interested readers may refer to Google!!).

To conclude I would like to mention on the premises of speculation that articles as similar to this one may have been written and complaints lodged earlier against the issue which my limited awareness may have failed to grasp. However, in light of the above facts I would like to call upon the concerned telecom service provider and the local authorities viz. The Namchi Municipal Council to thoroughly examine and resolve the matter. This may also find cognizance in other areas of Sikkim having similar issues related to mobile towers being located near schools, hospitals and densely populated residential accommodations.

Though telecommunication is a subject under the union list the state does have the sanction to draw bye laws and guidelines to formulate an effective telecommunication Rules/Law with respect to installation of mobile towers in Sikkim However, if such laws do exist then the concerned authorities needs to implement it on the ground zero level and initiate punitive action against the erring telecommunication service providers.

Nonetheless, this would be the most fundamental act of welfare bestowed upon the common people by the political class ultimately bringing peace of mind to the aggrieved individuals and households.

http://voiceofsikkim.com/2013/04/19/mushrooming-mobile-tower-a-threat-to-human-and-environment/