Mushtaq Ahmad Wani
Once upon a time, Jammu and Kashmir, famous for its clean and fresh air quality across the world, has been struggling with severe air pollution. Air pollution has emerged as one of the major challenges to the eco-fragile environment of Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years. According to the recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), The air pollution in Jammu and Kashmir has breached the National air pollution limits. Air pollution in Kashmir exceeds India’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Almost all districts of Jammu and Kashmir fail National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) compliance. The present concentration of the PM2.5 and PM10 in Srinagar district is above the safe limits given by the World Health Organization (WHO). The AQI in district Budgam is also bad due to mushrooming growth of traditional brick kilns all across the district. High concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 has deteriorated the air quality very much in the Kashmir valley and is posing serious health risks to people, especially for vulnerable groups. The Air Quality Index (AQI) at 160 falls in the poor category, which is considered unhealthy and detrimental to health.
According to medical experts, Srinagar city has the highest incidence of lung cancer in the country and ten thousand people die every year in Jammu and Kashmir due to chronic lung diseases attributed only to air pollution. Pollutants in the air badly affect the respiratory system of humans, especially young and old children besides people with underlying diseases. It also lowers the working of lungs and leads to an increase in respiratory ailments cough, breathlessness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, suffocation, chest tightness and throat irritation. The Kashmir valley has the highest burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) amid rising air pollution. Headache, decreased immunity, anxiety, disrupted sleep cycles and even premature death are also associated with the rising air pollution in Kashmir valley.
Unregulated growth of brick kilns in the Kashmir valley particularly in district Budgam is the major source of air pollution. The brick kilns continue to be coming in district Budgam on fertile agricultural, horticultural and karewa lands. Varied fruit trees, vegetable and paddy fields are immensely deteriorated due to smoke, black soot and gaseous pollutants coming from traditional and poisonous brick kilns. The air pollution caused by brick kilns has reduced the visibility in fields and roads in villages’ very much. The people of the area, particularly children and the elderly, fell victim to lung diseases and many died due to their low immunity.
Air masses from other countries particularly Middle East, South and Central Asia and a few European countries are also loaded with more particulate pollution contributing to air pollution of Jammu and Kashmir. Devastation and large scale deforestation of tall majestic pine and deodar trees and no afforestation and reforestation programmes at village level have affected the forest cover of the state severely that further increased the gravity of air pollution of the Kashmir valley.
“Implementing the “Polluter Pays Principle” (via green taxes) and closing illegal polluting sources (like brick kilns/industries), along with establishing a Climate Resilience Task Force, will improve the Air Quality Index (AQI) and reduce air pollution. The deteriorating environment and rising public health concerns require immediate action from the government, Pollution Control Boards/Committees, and the National Green Tribunal.”
Deforestation due to industrialization, urbanization, encroachments of forestlands, and forest fires are also adding and contributing to air pollution of Jammu and Kashmir. Prolonged dry weather, increased traffic emissions, extensive air pollution caused by dusty roads and biomass burning like leaves, tree branches and twigs for coal used in traditional Kashmiri fire-pots popularly known as Kangris from autumn to winter seasons are also playing its part in air pollution. Education and awareness among the people about the importance of quality air through seminars, campaigns, workshops, debates, discussions etc. is the need of the hour. Promotion and adoption of green technology, Emission control technology, energy efficiency and global environment friendly technologies will lessen the air pollutants to a much greater extent in the atmosphere and improve the air quality index of Jammu and Kashmir.
There should be proper transportation planning to reduce vehicular traffic. Green Vehicles’ like solar and electric cars should be promoted. The introduction of E. rickshaws in Jammu and Kashmir is a welcome and good step towards air pollution reduction. Installation of air pollution monitoring instruments, Use of alternative sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy will reduce the air pollution at a larger level. Use of bicycles for smaller distances should be encouraged and promoted. Conversion of biodegradable waste into useful compost by eco-friendly methods should be encouraged and it will not only reduce air pollution but will improve our agriculture and vegetable yields that will fetch more price. Trees considered lungs on the earth should be protected from unnecessary axing. Reforestation and afforestation programmes should be launched all across the state and strict implementation of air pollution prevention and control acts and Forest acts will definitely reduce air pollution for the betterment of the people and the environment. The implementation of “Polluter Pays Principle” as green tax and closure of illegal brick kilns and industries and establishment of a Climate Resilience Task Force will not only reduce air pollution but will also improve Air Quality Index. The alarming rate at which our environment is deteriorating and public health concerns are rising demands immediate attention of the government, Pollution Control Board and National Green Tribunal in the country and Pollution Control Committees. Let us join hands together and pledge to save our environment practically by our green actions for the better and prosperous future of Jammu and Kashmir. Otherwise, we will have to pay a huge price and suffer a colossal loss in the future.
(The author is a teacher at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Beerwa Budgam. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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