Delhi's Air crisis: Experts say 'collective efforts & consistency' key to combat Pollution

Residents of Delhi have been going through a tough time with degring air quality in National Capital. issue of severely polluted air in Delhi has now gone on to become a national crisis as air quality in several parts of country deteriorates at alarming levels. Citizens in Delhi as well as or parts of India have been complaining of respiratory illnesses amongst or health problems, as y struggle to brea clean air.

With several day-after-day reports stating condition of nation's capital territory, this has been causing major anxiety amongst people. As New Delhi's air quality index fluctuates between severe and very poor category, environmentalists and health specialists expressed worry over worsening situation in India, stating that unless re is collaboration and continuity, country would fail to overcome problem.

declining air quality in Delhi has now forced Apex court of country to intervene in matter. Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha said, ''Delhi has seen extreme severe air quality, average is 500.'' He furr said that situation has improved ''not because of Supreme Court's decision but because of wind.''

Jha iterated that an issue like air pollution needs collective efforts. Every stakeholder needs to come toger to combat crisis because this is not an issue of 2021, but one that has been re for last 10 years. 

Stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab

A part of problem stems from crop stubble burning that has been taking place in neighbouring regions Haryana and Punjab, which has led to Delhi's air crisis. Farmers mostly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Presh burn approximately 35 million tons of crop waste after harvesting. This is a low-cost practice to reduce turnaround time between harvesting and sowing for first (summer) crop and second (winter) crop.

Activist Jha believes that this is an everlasting issue and stated that in last six years, National Capital Delhi has witnessed only a meagre 10 days of good air quality, which are under 50 range.

''It is definitely a failure of government when you have to shut down a city due to air pollution. Delhi's air pollution is not a surprise. Until and unless re is collaboration and continuity, we won't be able to solve crisis,'' Jha said.

It's now a fashion to bash and blame farmers, SC observes

Supreme Court said it's now become a fashion to bash farmers when it comes to pollution, be it Delhi government or anyone. SC on Saturday slammed Centre and Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government for severe AQI. ''Tell us how we can reduce AQI from 500 at least by 200 points. Take some urgent measures. Can you think of 2 days lockdown or something? How can people live?'' Supreme Court stated.

Experts enlighten on how to curb problem of Air pollution

A consultant Pulmonologist said, "People should not go out early in morning and late at night to avoid pollution. It's visable to use N95 masks," ding that one should not go to crowded places and go out in sun.

Responding to Apex Court's assessment that stubble burning cannot be only cause of pollution, and that dust and vehicular pollution equally contribute to problem, Pulmonology expert Dr Neetu Jain iterated that while re is an urgent need to dress issue, lockdown will be extreme. ''re should be a plan to decrease pollution from all sources on a long-term basis rar than doing emergency measures when situation becomes unbearable.''

Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Riology and Endovascular interventions at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr. Amarinder Singh Malhi said that low air quality has a link between air quality exposure and cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary vessels.

"Harmful elements present in air pollutants le to various and multiple cardiovascular diseases be it artery blockages (arterial occlusion) or death of heart tissue due to oxygen deprivation and many of se le to permanent heart damage (myocardial infarction) as well. We need to actually act now. geriatric population in more than 65 years age group is at ded risk for sure," Malhi said.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: PTI