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CoverStory PRESIDENTIAL
PRESIDENTIAL POLLS POLLS

elhi has again hit the no 1 position of be- 201 and 300 is poor
ing world’s most polluted city. The sight of 301 and 400 is very poor
people wearing masks have become popu- 401 and 500 is severe
D lar and that day is not very far when we all Beyond 500 is hazardous
have to carry oxygen cylinders to keep ourselves On the next day of Diwali, the AQI at Chanakyapuri,
alive. In fact, the direction of destructive develop- Central Delhi (which is one of the greenest part) was
ment in which we all are moving, we should just cut 459 and the AQI of Anand Vihar in East Delhi which
down the forests and invest in oxygen masks! Delhi’s hardly has any trees was 999. This, in itself reflects
peculiar topography makes it more vulnerable to the role our trees play in reducing the pollution level.
pollution. If the air ceases to flow towards Delhi, the There is also an interesting fact here. AQI was actu-
particulate matter settles faster. ally more than 2000 in some parts and not just 999
The main cause of panic is the presence of tiny but our machines are not designed to capture more
particulate matter in the air known as PM 2.5 and than 3 digits.
PM 10. The size of these particulate matter is so tiny But, it is not just Delhi. More than 41 cities in North
that they easily lodge themselves into our respira- and Central India recorded ‘Very poor’ to ‘Severe’ AQI
tory system. There are many causes of pollution in post Diwali. Noida, Faridabad, Patna and Lucknow
the capital city. The two big sources are stubble burn- recorded worse air quality than even Delhi.
ing and vehicular pollution. The farmers of Punjab, Doctors called the pollution level of Delhi NCR as
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are forced to burn the ‘health emergency’. Dr.Arvind Kumar who attended
crop residue as it cannot be used for anything else. WHO’s first Global conference on Pollution held in
Unlike Bihar, where the rice crop residue is a food for November 2018 and is one of the country’s finest
the cattle but the stubble in Punjab and Haryana is chest surgeon said, “I hardly see normal pink lungs
full of so much pesticide and fertilisers that it can- these days. Everybody’s lungs have black deposits
not be used as fodder. So, they are left with no other on them which are causing a silent damage. Today,
option than burning. Delhi has the highest number breathing kills, in a city like Delhi.”
of registered vehicles with 7.6 million of them. These Air pollution not just causes respiratory dis -
vehicles are one of the largest and permanent source eases but also leads to heart problems, brain
of pollution. Construction dust, industrial pollution, attacks, reproductery problems and many
garbage burning are some of the other pollutants. other issues. A recent study has found that pol -
The latest in the list was the burning of firecrackers lution also causes reduction in intelligence.
during Diwali. Air pollution is proving deadly specially for
children. As per WHO, 600,000 children
CRACKER-FULL OR died of respiratory diseases in 2016. A 16 year the government must take to make the air healthy. cretisation of the city. Even if there is a plan to do
CRACKER-FREE DIWALI old student Kabeer suffering from respira - No more trees specially those which are 40 to 200 new construction, green building norms should be
The Supreme Court ordered only ‘green crackers’ tory disorders asked, “Diwali is celebrated on years old should be allowed to be cut in the name of followed. This can at least be implemented on all
to be sold and also restricted the time of bursting the occasion of return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. development. Trees play the most important role in government constructions to start with. A minimum
crackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only. But, both these There is no mention of bursting crackers in Rama- controlling pollution and providing fresh air. The percentage of green area should be maintained in
orders were openly violated by the citizens as well as yana. Crackers were not even invented when Lord NBCC and CPWD projects of central government every building. Public transport must be made more
the police and administration. First of all, neither the Rama returned to Ayodhya, then why do we burst plans to cut more than 20,000 fully grown trees frequent. The number of public buses specially the
cracker sellers nor the buyers were aware of ‘green crackers now?” in South Delhi. Aravali Biodiversity park having electric buses should be increased. People should be
crackers’. These ‘green crackers’ with low hazardous The most ironic part of Delhi’s Diwali was sight of rich wildlife and birds is in danger because of road motivated to use public transport by reducing metro
chemicals have not been produced or sold in India people burning crackers while wearing masks. Their construction by NHAI. Trees are being cut in several and bus fare and giving other attractions.
yet. The cracker sellers sold their traditional crack- love for the polluting crackers was so much that other corners of NCR in the name of construction Heavy taxes should be imposed on buying of
ers in the name of ‘green crackers’. Post Diwali night, they are ready to burn them while putting their lungs and progress. But, enough damage has been done to new private cars to reduce the number of vehicles
Delhi NCR emerged to be the most polluted spot at risk. Apart from the patients suffering from lung the city. Delhi needs at least 33per cent forest cover on the road. Blanket ban should be imposed on
on the planet. There was a huge failure on the part diseases, Diwali is also a festival of terror for our fur- as per National Forest Policy but it pos - buying of new diesel vehicles. 10 to 15 year old die-
of the police to strictly implement the Supreme ry friends. It is mating season for dogs. And, puppies sesses only 20per cent green coverage. We sel vehicles should also be brought off the roads.
Court guidelines. born are only a few days old, so they undergo a hor- are already short of 13per cent green cov - There should be incentive towards car pooling
Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure used by the rifying situation. If you observe, on a Diwali evening, erage and still the government plans both by private companies and the government.
government to communicate to the people how there are no dogs on streets as they hide themselves to cut more trees. The govt and the citizens must Do not burn the landfills instead develop a proper
polluted the air is. to escape the so called human way of celebration. do as much plantation as possible and the work waste segregation and management system from
An AQI between doesn’t end here. We need to take care of the its source. Alternative technologies for crop burning
0 and 50 is good THE SOLUTIONS sapling till at least one year of its growth so that like turning crop residue into disposable tableware
51 and 100 is satisfactory As mentioned in my previous article on pollution, it survives. should be encouraged and promoted by the govt.
101 and 200 is moderate here are some long term measures the citizens and Measures should be taken to reduce further con- Above are some imperative long-term measures

TEHELKA / 30 NOVEMBER 2018 18 WWW.TEHELKA.COM TEHELKA / 30 NOVEMBER 2018 19 WWW.TEHELKA.COM

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