Delhi: Kejriwal calls for 'jan andolan' in fight against pollution
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday asked the national capital's citizens to turn the fight against pollution into a jan andolan (people's movement). He was speaking at the Paryavaran Sammelan event organized by the Department of Environment and Forests on the occasion of World Environment Day. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo asserted that Delhi has witnessed remarkable improvement in its overall environmental condition.
30% decline in pollutants in 5 years: Kejriwal
Kejriwal reportedly said, "There are two prominent types of pollutants — PM 2.5 and PM 10 —If we look at the data for 2022 as compared to 2016, there's been a decline of 30% in both." "In 2016, there were 26 days when pollution was so bad that Delhi had become a gas chamber; in 2022, we only had six such days," he added.
Delhi's tree cover now increased to 23%: CM
The chief minister further stated, "Delhi stands out because of the greenery and the green cover that we have maintained within the city. In 2013, Delhi had a tree cover of 20% but this has now been increased to 23%." "Our tree transplantation policy also requires that at least 10 saplings are planted for every tree that may need to be uprooted," he informed.
Government working with IIT for better environmental solutions, says Kejriwal
Kejriwal also said that his government is working with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and has come up with real-time source apportionment of air pollution. The government has identified 13 pollution hotspots and is in the process of finding individual solutions for each, he added. Kejriwal also urged citizens to take the pledge to clean the environment in the city.
