Delhi isn't most polluted city in India

The apex court has slammed the government over its lack of timely and proper response regarding the intensity of air pollution that engulfed the country’s capital. However, the problem of air pollution due to stubble burning and the plight of the masses living in the gas chamber-like environment is not limited only to Delhi. Air pollution-related deaths are higher in UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Rajasthan than in Delhi. The air quality index of Haryana, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Noida, Kanpur and Sirsa has been worse than Delhi this month.

Hyderabad:The response of the Supreme Court on the intensity of air pollution that engulfed the country’s capital Delhi is unprecedented. The Court tore into the government on its callousness and strongly commented that hell is better than Delhi.

The Court pulled up the Principal Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana on lack of proper will and action in disposing of the agriculture wastes. Taking severe objection to the increasing air and water pollution in Delhi, the apex Court’s remark, "Can you treat people like this and permit them to die due to pollution?” is a reflection to the agony of countless sufferers. The Kejriwal government recently declared a ‘medical emergency’ and banned all construction and demolition activities.

Haryana, on its part, has identified villages which were extensively involved in stubble burning and has taken up the distribution of ploughing machinery on hire. Punjab has demanded the Center to fulfil its assurance of financial support to the farmers. The Governments have failed miserably in informing farmers that ploughing the crop waste and leaving it there will increase land cover and protect millions of microorganisms from being perished.

The governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP have been pulled up by the apex court for lack of timely and proper response. At least now the governments at the centre and states should concentrate on the feasibility of switching from fossil-based fuels to other alternatives and ensure farmers’ participation.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered four years back that stubble burning, the main cause of air pollution in Delhi every year, should be prohibited; there has been no action by the government. Though the governments of Punjab and Haryana declare that stubble burning has been banned, in reality, it is still continued by the farmers because removing tons of paddy dumps by machine tools is beyond their capacity.

The Center should create a separate fund as the first step in its efforts to prevent environmental and national damage. Crop waste is burning to tens of millions of tonnes annually in the country -- Punjab, Haryana and UP account for more than half of them; so urgent action should start from there. The problem of air pollution due to stubble burning and the plight of the masses living in the gas chamber-like environment is not limited only to Delhi.

Air pollution-related deaths are higher in UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Rajasthan than in Delhi. The air quality index of Haryana, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Noida, Kanpur and Sirsa has been worse than Delhi this month.

Over three-quarters of cities and towns are dumping smoke, mirroring the ineffectiveness and corrupt practices of pollution control boards around the country. The NGT's deadline to the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) to close the pollution causing industries within three months ended in October. Flouting of regulations and lack of measures to control pollution is increasing Delhi-like cities in our country.

The Asian Development Bank warned 25 years back that if water and air pollution is not controlled, the Asia-Pacific region is in danger of a change in the climate. Disrespect to such sane advice is now being seen in the form of the present chaos. In states like Rajasthan, UP and Haryana, civilian life expectancy has been reduced by more than two years due to air pollution.

Contaminated winds across the country are causing one in every eight deaths today.

While the average deaths per million internationally due to air pollution is 64, in India it is 134. The National Clean Air Plan (NCAP), announced in January that 102 cities have been identified for a special plan of action. The hope that with the concerted joint effort of the Central and State government departments, the fight against pollution will be increased is gradually fizzling out.

The High Court's response on the pollution of the Musi river and the Supreme Court's decisions on Delhi pollution crisis are reflecting the gravity of the situation and future national crisis due to air and water pollution.

By implementing strict rules against pollution-causing industries and vehicles, neighbouring China has greatly solved this problem. The countries that make cleanliness their culture, and create awareness among their masses are greatly contributing to global weather conservation. While Copenhagen promotes the widespread use of bicycles, cities like Zambi (Indonesia) are increasingly pushing for plant growth and methane production from waste.

Lessons learnt from past experiences, strict implementation of rules, and help of science and technology, most importantly, concern for welfare of future generations will save atmosphere and make the earth a better place to live.

Also, read: Children more vulnerable to climate change