It is learnt that locals from Mangor Hill have strongly objected to the erecting of a cellular tower at the government school complex citing apprehensions that the tower may have bad impact on the health of people living in the surrounding area. It is common for citizens in the State to strongly object to the erection of a cellular tower in the locality due to its negative impact on the health of the citizens. It is understood that mobile towers emit harmful electromagnetic radiation. Current studies suggest both short-term and long-term health risks within 300-400 metres of a cell tower. Thus great caution needs to be exercised while erecting cellular towers. The most vulnerable segments of the population to the ill-effects of radiation are children and senior citizens. According to experts not only cancer but other direct long-term harmful effects of mobile tower radiation include lower sperm count, birth defects, increased risk of heart attack. People in the area experience sleep disorders, fatigue, headache, memory loss, depression, hearing problems, joint pains, skin diseases, and even cardiovascular problems. It must be said that during the Covid-19 pandemic when educational institutions had closed down and online classes were the order of the day, students in remote areas had a lot of connectivity problems. Many had to go to the hills and forest areas in order to follow the online classes. Hence, the importance of cellular towers cannot be underestimated. However, these mobile towers need to be installed in isolated places in the cities and especially in remote villages and away from residential areas.
