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Kullu skyline getting hazier by the day Kullu, October 14 In a first-of-its kind ISRO-sponsored study conducted by the Kullu-based GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Dr JC Kuniyal, a senior scientist at the institute, found that the pollution level has gone up in the Kullu area. Nainital, a hill station in Uttarakhand, has its aerosol level at just 0.026 AOD. “An aerosol is a mixture of gases, solids, liquids and other pollutants in the air, that mar the quality of air and makes the sky look black,” Dr Kuniyal said. The International Panel on Climate Change report in 2007 observed that the high rates of aerosols were responsible for melting of glaciers among other things, the scientist said. He cited example of Manali town saying the tourist spot had an area of just 7 sq km but it accommodated over 16,000 guests daily. “Forest fires, plume of dust raised by speeding vehicles and industrial projects have sent the presence of aerosols beyond permissible level in the Kullu-Manali region,” he found in a study.Sifting the data recorded from 1963-2007 by different government and other agencies, the scientist found that the minimum and the maximum temperature in the valley had registered an increase of 3.07°C and 0.76°C, respectively. “The rising level of aerosols has made the valley warmer over the years,” the scientists said. Dr Kuniyal said if the present rate of aerosols was not reduced, there would come a time when Kullu skyline would be as black and hazy as that of any metro in the country. “No wonder, apples are being produced in Lahaul valley as the lower Kullu Valley does not fulfil the need of required 1,200 chilling hours for their growth,” he said.
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