National Pollution Control Day, 2nd December 2024

Just a couple of years ago, when I was not residing in Delhi and was reading about the severe air quality in Delhi, the capital of India, I couldn’t even imagine that the scenario was worse.

Now, when I am here in Delhi, I face this seriously severe pollution even when sitting in my closed space. Every time I clean the home, I find black dust particles in every nook and corner of my house, and yep, I have to clean my house thrice a day.

Delhi is suffering because of the pollution, worsening the quality of life, but year after year, the 

pleas, the appeals, the rules and regulations, and the duty of all the citizens that all vanish due to inept political and general willpower.

India is one of the most immensely blessed countries in the world in every other term, be it natural resources, skilled workforce, unskilled workforce, waterbodies, or weather conditions.

Why only India? Planet Earth is, possibly, the only planet in this universe that supports all the parameters to make it a habitable place.

The irony is that we are playing with fire when we are vying for supremacy in the world forum when we are opting for deforestation, unreasonable mining, irreparable farming methodologies, and polluting oceans and seas by warships, polluting rivers by adding sewage pipelines to them, polluting air by the indiscreet development processes, the more we are growing as a world community, the more we are creating threats to this planet that is itself an optimistic place.

There are a series of serious seminars, conventions, treaties, laws, rules, regulations, acts, and everything to deal with the growing problem of severe pollution. However, we have been unable to achieve anything positive in any regard.

The more progress in any area, the worse the pollution situation becomes. There is a lot more to add as we now have piles of electrical, electronic, and medical wastes that are making the situation more serious, and the powerful countries are targeting the underdeveloped countries by disposing of all their disposables into their space.

Often, we are advised to stay away from toxicity in our lives. But the need of the hour is that we should learn to shun the toxic activities that are polluting the actual environment, which is worryingly damaging the ecosystem, thus leading us to an unfortunate, unhealthy, unethical surrounding us.

Gone are the days when –

• We pay attention to the environmentalists.
• We used to be rational to protect the environment. 
• Companies and factories have designated desks to look into the issue. 
• We had a large forest area.
• Technology was not like a hazardous by-product. 
• We used natural methods instead of using harmful chemical pesticides.
• We didn’t have an incalculable number of vehicles on the roads.
• Medical fraternity used to dispose of bio-hazardous waste materials as per laws and regulations.
• We have separate areas for residences and factories, commercial places, and non-commercial places.

In the blind race of industrialization, development, and modernization, we indeed compromised our planet, thus affecting our quality of life instead of making it better, and it is needless to accept that we are still not serious about the hazards of the contaminated air, food, water that are vital for our survival.

Also, why does only Delhi come into the limelight when discussing pollution, especially air pollution?

Delhi Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)

Delhi is a beautiful center city of India, the capital of India, well connected with all provinces of India, well connected with other countries via air, a city that witnessed the rise and fall of several empires, a city that has several monumental wonders, a city with so much diverse character in its turf, a place where even a tiny bustle can resonate itself, – yep, its Delhi, the lifeline of Delhi is the millions of people of India who are here in search of their livelihood.

I still remember when my domestic help proudly told me that Delhi is very generous and there are so many public feasts in its streets that even the underprivileged can have a hearty meal at least once daily. I have not seen this kind of philanthropic activity daily anywhere in India.

Side effects of air pollution –

Being a bona fide citizen, I am entitled to list the side effects of air pollution in Delhi. I came here a couple of years ago and felt a burden both on my health and my pocket. As a victim of poor air quality, I can just criticize the inadequate measures, ignorance by governments, rules put at the toss by the violators, increasing numbers of vehicles, population explosion out of proportion, indiscreet construction and demolition of existing structures, uses of cow-dung cakes, wood, and coal to cook instead of highly-priced LPG, ignoring the international norms to protect the natural habitats, taking the cost of pollution control methods as burden instead of moral responsibility, wrongful incitement of general public on religious ground, and overall, going away with habitual rule violations by paying bribe to the law keepers.

Safeguard Home from Pollutants | Buy Air Purifier for Room

India doesn’t need any new law to check the pollution. They are already here. 

• We must ascertain our accountability to save the environment for a better future.
• We need to reevaluate the existing laws and not fall prey to the indecent appeals of politicians who are just seeking votes to get elected at any cost,
• We need to check the price of renewable energy sources,
• We need to implement organic farming methods,
• We have to find a solution for leftover parts of harvesting instead of burning the pile of husks,
• Instead of demolishing the old structures, we can have beautification and modernization plans for them,
• We have to dedicate a day per month for the general public to promote environmental awareness,
• Recycling, reducing, and reusing – three R can be extended to rethinking, reassuring, re-planning, and reprimanding yourself to attend to the issue seriously.

And the latest news is that India has topped a global indoor air pollution chart with the highest average annual PM2.5 levels, as per the data collected by Dyson under the Dyson Global Connected Air Quality Data project.

Particulate Matter (PM) Basics | US EPA

Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics – AirNow.gov

The dire situation of pollution in Delhi prompted me to write in 2023.
This was two years ago, and after almost ten months of government change (the current government had made a lot of noise before the elections), there was hope that some relief would be found from the serious pollution problem in Delhi.

Contrary to expectations, Delhi's air is now considered hazardous. I have a dust allergy, and what's more, this problem is no longer just a problem, but a health emergency for millions of Delhiites.

Delhi Pollution: A Wake-Up Call in the Wake of National Pollution Control Day – 2nd December 2023

Delhi, the capital of India, faces an overwhelming pollution crisis, deteriorating the quality of life. Despite the continuous appeals, regulations, and awareness, the pollution situation worsens each year — a wake-up call on this National Pollution Control Day.

The Harsh Reality of Delhi’s Air Quality

Living in Delhi reveals the gravity of its pollution problem firsthand. Black dust particles infiltrate even closed spaces, forcing frequent cleaning in homes. The lack of effective political willpower and public responsibility contributes significantly to this ongoing crisis.

Why We Must Care

India is abundantly blessed in natural resources, workforce, and climate, yet we endanger our planet by unchecked deforestation, excessive mining, harmful farming practices, and air, water, and soil pollution. The acceleration in industrialization and modernity comes at the cost of an increasingly toxic environment.

Side Effects of Air Pollution in Delhi

Air pollution in Delhi causes severe health and financial burdens on its residents. The increasing number of vehicles, overcrowding, indiscriminate construction, and use of traditional fuels like cow dung and coal exacerbate the problem. Despite existing laws, lack of enforcement and political apathy worsen the impact.

Key actions needed:

• Enforcement of existing environmental laws with genuine accountability
• Promotion of renewable energy and affordable clean fuel options
• Organic and sustainable farming practices
• Recycling, reducing, and rethinking waste management
• Dedicated public awareness initiatives monthly

A Call for Collective Responsibility

Pollution control is a moral duty beyond political agendas. It requires cooperation from governments, industries, and citizens alike. The city’s historical beauty and diverse life depend on urgent remedial measures to secure a healthier future for all.

“Delhi’s pollution crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a crisis impacting every breath we take, every meal we eat, and the legacy we leave for future generations.”

On this National Pollution Control Day, the call to action should reverberate not only in Delhi but across India and beyond — because the Earth, our only habitable planet, cannot wait.

Delhi Pollution