Open house: Shouldn’t govt be proactive in curbing pollution sources other than burning of crop stubble?

Check vehicular emissions

In the months between September to December, the flow of western wind towards the east may bring a lot of problems in a heavily populated country like India. Every year, there are issues related to air pollution during these months. Many of us blame farm fires for the rise in pollution. In reality, farm fires or stubble burning only cause 10 per cent of the pollution. A major cause of air pollution is the large number of vehicles. The government is taking numerous steps to curb vehicular emissions such as the PM e-Drive scheme that gives push to the use of electric vehicles and setting up of charging stations. It is hoped that with this thrust, most people will shift to electric vehicles. But there are some loopholes in the government initiative. They only focus on two-wheelers and four-wheelers. But most pollution is caused by modes of public transport like buses and trucks. The government should regulate public transport and also make people aware about green energy and use of electric vehicles. We cannot control the flow of winds but we can use this resource in an efficient way like adopting the manufacturing of hybrid vehicles and strengthening the use of electric vehicles for private use by providing incentives and subsidy.

Bharti Thakur

Dedicated lanes for carpools, bicycles

Farm fires are a major concern as far as poor air quality is concerned, alongside other factors like vehicular emissions, construction activities, fireworks etc. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach as every factor plays a role. The government needs to take proactive measures in urban greening by planting more trees and plants that can effectively absorb the pollutants. Additionally, implementing strict vehicular emission standards, increasing parking charges, stern traffic rules and promoting public transport can deter the use of private vehicles, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable transportation options like carpooling and using bicycles. Carpool lanes should be introduced for four-wheelers having three or more passengers to encourage carpooling. Special bicycle lanes in residential colonies as well as on all the main roads should be marked to encourage safe bicycle travel, especially for senior citizens. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is also crucial. Moreover, enforcing stringent industrial regulations and promoting cleaner technologies in factories can significantly impact air quality. These regulations should include a ban on using coal and firewood, including tandoors in hotels, restaurants and outdoor eateries, as well as diesel generators, except for emergency and essential services. Burning of waste leaves, tyres or any item in the open should be treated as a punishable offence. For reporting such incidents, special helpline numbers and e-mails should be maintained. Strict action should be taken against vehicles without valid pollution under control (PUC) certificates and the transportation of construction and demolition materials in open vehicles. Furthermore, dumpsite landfills should be properly managed to ensure that there are no fires.

Dr Kulwant Singh Phull

Adopt technology to combat pollution

Air Quality Index (AQI) is deteriorating day by day, while it has already gone beyond the tolerance level in many cities. Notably, stubble burning, one of the factors contributing to air pollution has registered a decline so far but the number may increase as the harvest season progresses. Apart from the crop residue where no sustainable solution has been provided to the farmers, the problem of domestic garbage disposal too remains unaddressed due to the non-seriousness of households towards segregation of waste into solid and wet content for easier disposal. The efforts made in some cities to introduce mechanical ways in place of manual scavenging have not been wholly effective due to stiff opposition from safai sewaks who fear loss of their jobs. Besides, other major causes of air pollution are vehicular and industrial emissions, which also continue to be largely unchecked in many areas. Consequently, AQI is plummeting as the winter sets in. Last year, the situation turned so bad that the government had to shut schools while a ban on plying diesel vehicles and restrictions on construction works were announced as safeguards against a spurt in respiratory complications. Despite such measures to control pollution, health authorities have failed to maintain the desired cleanliness. The irony is that the instructions issued by NGT/PPCB are not implemented holistically, as even the ban on bursting harmful crackers announced during the Diwali festival is flouted recklessly, but no action is taken. As such, air pollution in the entire region has assumed an alarming proportion, which is extremely dangerous for human lives. Apparently, we have to be proactively vigilant and take vital precautionary steps for climate protection. While technological equipment for quick decomposition of bio-waste has to be provided to the farmers at an affordable cost, industrial entrepreneurs ought to be sensitised to earn incentives like carbon credits by adopting innovative ideas to check pollution. As of now, we lack consistency in our approach. Therefore, a definite strategy needs to be devised to maintain a clean and green environment using advanced technology like air filters and inducing artificial rains at intervals to control dust pollution. Besides, prohibiting toxic chemicals, unspecified chimneys and untreated flow of harmful effluents is warranted to prevent worsening of air quality. Alongside, the Sanitation Department is required to undertake quick disposal of the waste apart from periodic spraying of disinfectants in vulnerable areas to prevent the outbreak of diseases. In all, the government should take strict action against negligent officials and households for violating the instructions to save environment, not only for ourselves but for the safety of future generations.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Encourage those who help check pollution

Stubble burning is decreasing but the pollution level is increasing because burning crop residue is not the only issue. Vehicular emissions, construction activities and other factors also play a role in polluting the environment. The state government has the duty to control stubble burning, along with fires in forests, fires along roads and cutting of trees. The administration should encourage those who contribute to decreasing the pollution in any way. The state government also encourages the people to travel in trains and public buses and to use electric vehicles and diesel fuel. On the occasion of Diwali, people should burst green crackers as other crackers leave a lot of smoke and poisonous gases. In this way, the pollution will decrease. Moreover, the public also puts in efforts at their level to decrease the pollution. They should take an oath that they will not burn stubble and make others aware about not burning stubble and not cutting trees. They should be a model for others to plant more and more trees and make a great contribution in saving the environment.

Sucha Singh Sagar

Public awareness campaign required

Air Quality Index (AQI) is still not satisfactory in spite of a decrease in crop residue burning incidents reported in the district. The air pollution caused by other factors such as vehicular traffic, road and building construction activities, industrial pollution and unabated practice of local garbage burning have contributed towards worsening the situation. Since a polluted environment, particularly air quality is the biggest threat to public health in many adverse ways, their prevention and control needs to be taken by the administration on priority basis. While the bigger issue of stubble burning is being presently handled by the state government, the other factors responsible for air pollution must be urgently taken up by the local authorities. The vehicles causing carbon emissions beyond the permissible limits need to be penalised. The roads and building construction activities causing severe dust pollution may be banned during the harvest season. The steps to be taken to check and control industrial pollution must be streamlined well in advance after reviewing the existing infrastructure. There should be zero tolerance towards garbage burning practices both by the employees and the residents and heavy penalties are required to be imposed on the defaulters. A control room at the district level may be established to monitor the level of air pollution on daily basis and take immediate corrective measures in continuity. Above all, the public awareness campaign through all available sources of media needs to be kept vigorously alive for the

desired results.

Jagdish Chander

Avoid blame game for better results

A blame game is on and political leaders are blaming each other for the environmental pollution. A major reason for increasing pollution and increasing AQI is the axing of a large number of trees, increase in number of vehicles, population explosion and burning of crop stubble. Even though the cases of stubble burning have shown a declining trend this year, the other states blame Punjab for the problem. The question is that in Delhi, the AQI is quite high whereas in Punjab the level of AQI is much less. How can we then quote Punjab as being responsible for the high AQI in National Capital which has boundaries with other states too like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana? The blame game should stop and necessary measures taken to bring down the level of pollution. Safety saves and now the government should carry out an awareness drive to reduce the pollution. The burning of crackers on Diwali also boosts environmental pollution.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Trees give oxygen, plant more

No matter which data source is referred to online, sadly almost every single one of them shows that Punjab is in serious trouble as the AQI of the state is in a poor condition. Another devastating fact is that the government of Punjab is not looking at the issue with enough thought and presumes that only farm fires are the reason for the poor air quality which actually only contributes to a very small part of the overall pollution caused in the state. The government needs to understand that lowering the rate of farm fires won’t affect the AQI on a massive scale. The administration ought to recognise the real evil behind such circumstances. Some important steps to be taken to resolve this issue are as follows: First, minimising plastic burning and vaporising practices in Punjab to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial step towards a better Punjab. Secondly, reducing factory and industrial settlements near mass populations or small villages can seriously help to prevent the factory waste from making people’s lives miserable and will also prevent air and water pollution simultaneously. Lastly, planting more and more trees at each intersection and street in Punjab can help in neutralising the ever-increasing production of carbon dioxide and replace it with fresh and healthy oxygen which is undoubtedly important for human survival. In conclusion, toxic waste-producing institutions should be set up on the outskirts of the state and the pollution-fighting gift of nature in the shape of trees should be planted to fight the constant war with pollution

in Punjab.

Lakshit Jindal