内容摘要：Once crops are harvested, Van no longer burns the rice stubble — a major cause of air pollution in Vietnam and in its neighbors, as well as

Once crops are harvested, Van no longer burns the rice stubble — a major cause of air pollution in Vietnam and in its neighbors, as well as

Tiwari and Chaturvedi both said it’s essential to give waste pickers access to a regular water supply, shade, or a relatively cool building near the landfills. They should also be encouraged to avoid working at high heat and given prompt medical care when they need it, they said.Mohmad Akram drinks water under shade during a heat wave at a garbage dump on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Mohmad Akram drinks water under shade during a heat wave at a garbage dump on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)Waste pickers look for items that could be recycled as birds fly over a garbage dump during a heat wave on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Wednesday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)Waste pickers look for items that could be recycled as birds fly over a garbage dump during a heat wave on the outskirts of Jammu, India, Wednesday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Tiwari said India has taken significant steps to devisebut implementing the plans all across the country is a challenge.

“As a society, we have a responsibility to protect them (garbage pickers),” said Tiwari. Simple steps can help, such as offering them water if they’re standing outside people’s homes, rather than asking them to leave, he said.

Geeta Devi, a 55-year-old garbage picker also at the Bhalswa landfill in New Delhi, says when she feels dizzy in the heat she takes shelter and sometimes someone gives her water or food. But she has to work to earn the 150-200 rupees ($1.80 to $2.40) per day that puts food on the table for her children.Laban Keben saw, jumped in and grabbed her but the ferocious animal held on. Laban tried again. And again. After his third attempt, his wife and the mother of their children lost consciousness, he said.

“I saw her dying, leaving me behind,” he said.He thought of their daughter, barely six months old, and their two other children.

Not knowing what else to do, he started screaming for help. Another man ran over with a machete and struck at the crocodile, Laban said, and suddenly, it swam away, leaving Winnie’s limp body behind.Laban Keben shows where his wife, Winnie, was attacked by a crocodile at Lake Baringo in Kampi ya Samaki, Kenya, Thursday, July 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)