Open House: With AQI deteriorating, shouldn’t checking air pollution be a top priority for the govt?

Clean air definitely is a fundamental right

The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in these days ranges from “poor” to “very poor” across many regions surrounding Jalandhar. This alarming trend affects health by contributing to a number of chronic diseases, besides disrupting daily routine and intensifying commuting hazards. Dense smog persists heavily in the sky, reducing visibility which causes frequent road accidents. Toxic air, filled with pollutants, also exacerbates respiratory issues and facilitates the spread of many infectious diseases. Thus, key factors like vehicular emissions, unchecked industrial smoke emanating from unspecified chimneys and paddy stubble burning, need immediate solution through a strong regulatory control mechanism. Likewise, reckless felling of trees and shrinking green spaces in recent years for widening the roads and commissioning new commercial and residential projects under rapid urban infra development has compounded the problem further and needs to be restricted. It is a pity that despite the big challenge of worsening air quality, effective solutions to manage crop residue burning and industrial as well as vehicular pollutants remain elusive. As such, addressing the root causes of air pollution has become very vital. It is essential that the government takes decisive steps, which may include stringent measures to protect the environment and sustain ecological balance. Making air quality a top priority could involve innovative methods like cloud seeding or periodic water spraying to reduce airborne dust in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, ban on felling of trees should be thoroughly enforced unless absolutely necessary, accompanied by widespread tree-planting initiatives to restore oxygen levels in the atmosphere. In all, proper hygiene, dedicated green belts in urban and industrial projects, and strict adherence to pollution control guidelines from the Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) are all crucial steps. The government should prioritise environmental care as a national concern and penalise the entities heavily for non-compliance of the standard stipulations. The public must recognise that clean air is a fundamental right and its widespread support is most warranted to ensure success.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Refrain from burning stubble, old scrap

Certainly, yes! Deteriorating AQI is not good for health and creates problems for all those patients who suffer from allergy, bronchitis and asthma. It should be the priority of the district administration to check and advise the masses to refrain from burning of old scrap, tyre, plastic material and stubble so that the Air Quality Index does not deteriorate. Ultimately, those affected are human beings. Wearing of masks if the AQI crosses over 400 should be made mandatory for a specified period until all becomes normal. Infrastructure development cannot be kept aside but the axing of trees for development works needs immediate attention for planting new saplings to keep the ecological balance intact. The deteriorating AQI is not a new phenomenon as earlier also, people had to face the problem and along with it, related ailments. Population explosion, emission from vehicles and smoke from industrial units is also responsible for the deteriorating AQI. Similarly, if it rains, the AQI comes under control, alternative arrangements for artificial rain should also be taken into active consideration in future if the rain gets delayed.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Increase green cover, curb emissions

Poor air quality is a serious concern as high AQI level can have severe health impact, especially for vulnerable children and the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. The government can indeed play an important role in the matter by implementing emission control by enforcing regulations on industries and vehicles. Solutions should be long- term by promoting electric vehicles and upgrading emission standards that reduce pollutants. Cutting of trees and burning crop stubble increases the AQI level. Green cover should be increased which improves air quality. Strict measures should be adopted to stop stubble burning. Promote public transport, encourage people to share vehicles or use public transport, reduce the number of vehicles on the road to bring the situation under control. Too much dust from construction increases AQI. The government must enforce rules for construction companies to use dust control measures. From time to time, release AQI data to make the public aware so that they can take care of themselves and stay inside to avoid dust. These active enforcement as well as public participation can help to curb the deteriorating AQI. It is the need of the hour.

Shashi Kiran

Issue warnings in time, release data

With deteriorating AQI, ensuring air quality should certainly be the government’s top priority. Air pollution significantly contributes to the global disease burden, accounting for an estimated seven million premature deaths annually. The adverse effects of poor air quality manifest in numerous health issues, including burning eyes, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, tuberculosis, lung disorders, diabetes and even cancer. Vulnerable population such as children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions face heightened risks. Additionally, it results in productivity loss due to many sick days, diminished worker efficiency and delays in transportation. Moreover, it poses significant threats to agriculture, potentially reducing crop yields and adversely affecting livestock health. Certain pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane are major contributors to climate change, highlighting the inter-connectedness of air quality management and climate mitigation efforts. Furthermore, air pollutants can damage ecosystems, including forests, rivers and lakes. They also contribute to the deterioration of buildings and monuments, some of which may hold cultural and historical significance. Many countries participate in global agreements aimed at combating air pollution as non-compliance can lead to sanctions and damage a country’s global reputation. Hence, to effectively manage air pollution, a top priority of the government should be to issue early warnings in time, enabling people to take necessary precautions. Additionally, maintaining precise and accurate data regarding AQI is essential for the implementation of effective policies. Sharing this information with the public can raise awareness and encourage people to follow measures that not only lower healthcare costs but also contribute to an overall improvement in public health and well-being.

Kulwant Singh Phull

Joint efforts needed to tackle pollution

No doubt, the government must prioritise ensuring clean air as per scientific requirements in view of its direct impact on public health. But unfortunately, the government has failed to sensitise its machinery fully to check and control air pollution to keep it within the stipulated parameters. At the time of paddy harvesting in state, constant degradation of air quality takes place due to unabated stubble burning in spite of government’s claims of making adequate arrangements. The poor air quality is posing serious threat to public health on many counts, for which the government needs to streamline its public health system to meet the challenges of minimising loss of human lives. State-of-the-art treatment must be made available free of cost to those who are impacted by the deteriorating air quality. Since we cannot do anything except to suffer immensely, the government must start, right now, documented measures to check and control all the factors leading to air pollution, above all ensuring zero case of stubble burning in the next harvesting season. Otherwise, the government will lose its right to stay in power, both under democratic and constitutional proprieties.

Jagdish Chander

Farm fires not sole reason for pollution

Diwali and parali (stubble burning) are two of the worst opponents of atmospheric welfare as winter approaches. The air quality in the province is deteriorating massively. The Air Quality Index paints a scary picture. Everyone has to breathe suffocating air which is contributed by some sections like farmers who see this as an easy way to get rid of their stubble, people who burn crackers for momentary enjoyment as well as those who do not maintain their vehicles properly, resulting in toxic air that can be the cause of illness and even death. 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 rise in poor air quality which actually only contributes to a considerate part of the overall pollution caused/produced in the state. Additionally, other factors also contribute to such a worsening situation such as pollution emitted by vehicles, chemical factories andburning of crackers etc. The administration ought to recognise the real evil behind such circumstances. Some steps that can be taken to resolve the issue are as follows: Encourage the harvesters to return the crop straw. In this way, they can develop a passive source of income and get rid of the problem of burning stubble. Instead, they can contribute for the breeding of animals and provide food for farm cattle and sheep and most prominently, making organic paper to save the natural conserves (trees). Furthermore, a farmer’s economic budget will automatically increase. The cherry on top is that they can indirectly contribute to protect Mother Earth and save countless lives of masses who suffer from asthmatic problems due to smoggy atmosphere caused by the burning of stubble. Secondly, running awareness camps always comes in handy but this time, much more researched and well-explained statements should be announced publicly and convincingly to elucidate the pros and cons of stubble burning. Additionally, burning any form of the crop should be a punishable offence, and hefty fines and unbiased punishment should be in motion. Lastly, planting more and more trees is one of the golden ways to efficiently and swiftly eradicate pollution. The government should run tree plantation drives throughout the city to promote green environment and save the city. Slowly but surely, Punjab can become green again.

Lakshit Jindal

Install air purifier, regulate traffic

Checking air pollution should be one of the top priorities of the government according to the present circumstances. This is because of the harsh fact that it causes various types of health problems to residents of the district. In order to curb air pollution and improve AQI, the government needs to take swift action against burning of stubble by farmers. Secondly, the government should take the prompt step of reducing vehicular traffic on roads by implementing the odd-even scheme. Last but not the least, maximum number of air purifiers should be installed in all areas of the city.

Sanjay Chawla

Onus lies on people to curb the menace

Pollution is a serious matter. High temperature in the month of November is an example of the changing weather pattern. It happened for the first time in the past 10 years. Who is responsible for it? Surely, we ourselves are to blame for this. We are cutting trees, burning crop stubble, bursting crackers on festivals, constructing roads, and driving vehicles blindly. A host of diseases are finding their way inside our body because of the pollution. The seasons are changing because of global warming. If it happens continuously, we will have to face great problems. So, we have a duty to reduce the pollution. We can drive fewer vehicles and not burst crackers, have clean engines and fuels, plant more trees and stop often fires and burning of crop stubble. Unless the underlying causes are well identified and measures taken accordingly, problem will persist.

Sucha Singh Sagar

QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK

Despite holding Swachhata drives, garbage mess remains one of the major issues in big cities. Where are the authorities concerned failing to address the problem which has remained unsolved for the past many years.

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (November 14)