The Arakan State Administration Council says a dumpsite at Akyeittawkone hill in the state capital Sittwe will be relocated to Hmansi Cemetery from June 1.

U Than Tun, a member of the Arakan SAC, said the dumpsite is being relocated because the current site is close to the town, with the stench in the air and smoke from the burning of rubbish being bad for the environment.

“The Sittwe Township municipality is told to discard their garbage at the new dumpsite located behind the cemetery in Hmansi village. The dumpsite is relocated because we decided that it should be relocated because when rubbish is burnt, the smell of the smoke reaches the town area,” he said.

He added that after the rubbish from the current dumpsite area is cleared, the state government plans to develop a project on the land.

“The land of the current dumpsite is land the government can manage. So, after all rubbish is cleared, a project will be developed there,” U Than Tun said.

When rubbish at the dumpsite is burned, residents near the area and elderly people, in particular, are sickened as they have to breathe in the smoke.