Dear Editor,

We the residents of Strath-avon wish to express our concern about the dumping and burning of paddy shell and noise from the tractor/trailer that is dumping the paddy shell day and night from since the year 2003 (every rice crop). Letters were sent on 22.02.2005 to the N.D.C. of Cane Grove, the Regional Office at Paradise, East Coast Demerara, the Ministry of Health, Brickdam, Georgetown and the Environmental Protection Agency at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.

Only the EPA has responded by saying that the complaint is valid and as such the Agency advised the Cane Grove NDC that dumping and burning of paddy shell in the area should be prohibited. In this regard the Agency recommended to the NDC to assist the proprietors of the rice milling facility to locate a suitable site to dispose of the paddy shell. To date nothing has been done. Heaps of paddy shell can be seen burning night and day. The smoke and dust are causing a lot of discomfort to us and our homes. The lives of children and adults as well are at a daily risk. We are calling on the President and other responsible authorities to kindly look into this matter.

Yours faithfully,
Twenty-eight residents of Strath-
avon  (names supplied)