Views

Pollution as a trade mark
 

Although according to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia everyone has a right to healthy environment, as one of the basic values of the established order and basic human right – we, the citizens of Veles, are completely discriminated. Unfortunately, we are citizens completely deprived of rights in one of the oldest towns, which do not have a chance for alternative, do not have a chance for choice of other home. We are forced to exist in very dangerous environment with some frightening consequences for our physical and mental health and life for us, our children and our future generations. There has been an ecological tragedy in Veles for thirty years. Every day for thirty years, the citizens of Veles patiently, tacitly and resignedly feel the emission of noxious gases, which pollute the environment more and more and endanger the most precious thing, our health.

It is nothing new if we say that the situation is alarming. It is nothing new if we say that according to the criteria of the World Health Organisation, in 2000, from a town risky for leaving, Veles became a town critical for living. It seems that we, the citizens of Veles, are a strange phenomenon, which still lives and exists under its “trade mark“ of “lead armour”.....

We are polluted from each side: soil, water, air (contaminated soil with heavy metals to 40 cm; everyday lead-zinc and cadmium dust in the air in a role of destroyers of our organisms; dead river). The smeltery is killing us slowly, but surely. The vegetation and the animals, as well as the agricultural products which we consume every day, contain from 6 to 39,8 times bigger concentration of heavy metals. The lead emission from the smeltery is 25 times bigger than the emission of all cars in the country which use leaded petrol.

Is it necessary to place some more information, figures and arguments in order to realise the truth happening to us; how long for? How long are we going to be tacit viewers and witnesses of the slow and silent death, and with a feeling of incapability of a step ahead? If we let some inveterate ecological awareness to destroy our present and future; if we do not do anything today, we will be cursed by the generations after us. The battle for healthy environment should be our common task and objective of all citizens, all existing non-governmental organisations, local self-government, media and everyone loving this town. Whoever we are, whatever we are, we are directly responsible for the environment where our children and we live.

(Mimoza Davceva is a president of the ecological association “Breza” from Veles)