Polluted air will spell trouble, make situation worse

Open House: What steps can be taken to check pollution level during festive season?

The onus is on Pollution board

As the world is fighting with the spread of coronavirus, it is important to consider the human health because of poor air quality which is due to agricultural fire. With the burning of parali, the pollutants disperse in the air and make it unhealthy for humans. Those who are already a victim of asthama suffer a lot because of thick smog. Delhi NCR is choking and is worst affected. The Supreme Court has ordered the Centre to prepare a scheme to help farmers to do away with stubble burning. Making schemes will not help, we need to recognise root of problem and find a way. Now, the situation will be more aggravated because of festivals, there should be a total ban on firecrackers and instead of burning candles and oil diyas, eco-friendly electrical diyas should be lit. The Central Pollution Control Board should look into matter. People should keep themselves safe by wearing a mask as it also keeps dust particles and germs out apart from the virus.

Shashi Kiran

Display political will to lower AQI

Though the rapidly deteriorating air quality is a serious, persistent and complicated pan-India problem, the Delhi-NRC, Punjab and Haryana have borne the maximum brunt of its adverse impact on public health, economy and environment over the years. The major contributory factors are industrial smoke, vehicular traffic, coal-fired power plants, demolition and construction activities, fuel wood and biomass burning for cooking and heating, and faulty waste management practices. Together with damaged roads, growing garbage heaps and lack of sanitation, the conundrum of air pollution is further compounded, albeit to a lesser degree, by seasonal crop residue burning. Concerned at this appalling situation, the Union and state governments have undertaken various initiatives, regulatory measures and stringent laws to control this scourge but have not yet yielded any tangible results. Switching to renewable energy, adequate transport infrastructure and planting more trees are the lasting solutions. While still reeling under the onslaught of covid-19, the Punjab government should display strong political will to keep the severe Air Quality Index (AQI) levels under control during winter and festival months. The administration should update its monitoring, measurement and compliance mechanism; sensitise farmers about the hazards of stubble burning and give economic incentives to desist them from this unhealthy practice or provide more machines at subsidised rates through village panchayats and co-operative societies, take strict action against unauthorised crackers manufacturing units and shopkeepers for selling them without licences, and fix time schedule and demarcate special places for bursting firecrackers as in foreign countries. The private sector should liberally buy paddy straw for electricity generation, making paper and cardboard and for other purposes, and follow sustainable business practices. Concerted comprehensive and collaborative efforts of different stakeholders will certainly protect the present degrading ecological scenario.

DS Kang

Stringent measures from govt required

The issue of stubble burning in the context of constant deterioration of air quality has snowballed into a national catastrophe and the Centre and Supreme Court seem to be grappling with the problem without any tangible solution so far. However, all stakeholders need to take precautions to minimise the pollution levels being caused by other factors till some acceptable solution to stubbing burning is found. The experts opine that to check the spread of virus in particular and for general well-being of public health, maintaining good air quality is very vital. In view of this, and ensuing Diwali, the administration has no other alternative except to exert total ban on firecrackers and minimisation of non-electrical lighting followed by strict implementation of the order. Besides this, those found indulging in garbage burning and unauthorised cutting of trees must be punished without any discrimination. The traffic police have to ensure that vehicular carbon emissions are strictly regulated as per existing norms. The general public needs to be sensitised about the disastrous effects of air pollution and how to minimise and control it through campaigns on social, print and electronic media.

Jagdish Chander

Administration will have to act strictly

Air pollution is the bane of the Punjab and neighbouring states for long, more so during stubble burning and festival season. Many steps to check the stubble burning have gone in vain. Modern machineries like 'happy seeders' have been encouraged but farmers can't afford such costly contrivances. Transports like diesel vehicles and firecrackers during festivals are another source of pollution. Most farmers have small landholdings between 2 and 5 acres. They can't afford costly machinery. Even the Supreme Court had asked the government to provide subsidy of Rs100 per acre to desist farmers, but to no effect. Air pollution also causes large number of morbidly and mortality, particularly people with chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma. To check air pollution, the farmers' co-operatives should be encouraged so that they can afford the modern machinery to manage the stubble burning -- which can be used as source of energy for other purposes. Solar energy should also be encouraged to lessen the pollution. People in large cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar should be encouraged to practice carpooling and more should be coaxed to use cycling as a mode of transport as much as possible. Firecrackers must be totally banned as being done by Rajasthan government. They not only cause pollution but can also cause serious injuries.

Dr JS Wadhwa

Say yes to green Diwali, no to crackers

We Indians are always excited about our festivals. But, it's very saddening that we all have lost our concern about the pollution levels. So, following are the ways keep a check during Diwali because a majority of pollution is caused during the Diwali…say yes to green Diwali: Don't burn crackers this year. Instead, you can buy some diyas from locals. Government's role: It has an important role in minimising the pollution levels. Suppose if there is too much tax on crackers then who will buy it? Light someone's home: Take a pledge this year that you are going to help at least one needy. Carpooling: As Diwali is a festival celebrated among relatives, so visiting our relatives is common. If you are planning to, then you can take public transportation or by carpooling. Let us not forget, festivals are meant to bring happiness.

Priksha Sharma

Maintain distance from firecrackers

I would suggest people not to burst firecrackers this festive season as its smoke affects our respiratory system. We will all be more prone to catching the virus and it will affect strongly affect the breathing then. So, the best prevention is to distance from crackers. People should avoid smoking as well.

Amritjot Kaur

QUESTION

The non-resumption of goods trains may cause power crisis in the state and problems for the industry. Do you think the situation is the outcome of dirty state vs Centre politics?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to jalandhardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (November 12).