Delhi’s dwindling air quality

Who minds it?

Can we escape from dwindling air quality and the thickening smog that has dangerously wrapped India’s capital? Yes, if the law enforcement agencies are truthful to their duties and the public learns to behave. Unfortunately, we are yet to be environmentally conscious.

On 1st November 2024, the Indian capital was on top of the world for a bad reason. Delhi was recognized as the most polluted city in the world. The air quality index (AQI) reached 348 points, a level three and a half times unhealthy.

The Deepavali festival has added to the pollution level, along with Punjab and Haryana’s agricultural waste burning. All these have aggravated Delhi’s poor air quality. The thick smoke even reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

All crackers are banned in India, especially in cities like Delhi and Mumbai where the air quality is poorer. Last week, the Supreme Court criticised the government for taking environmental laws lightly. It pointed out that the laws were inactive and lacked enforcement. There is no value placed on ecological problems. When ranked among other countries, India’s number is at the bottom. Environmental violations are less punishable in India, as no government wants to take any steps against the so-called public sentiment.

Two days ago, the Kerala High Court criticised using elephants for festivals. It questioned if one would bring whales to the festival for use in worship. One ex-MP reminded the court that festivals are sacred for devotees and above all criticism. If the public takes the law into their hands, why do we need laws and courts?

Even when there are predictions that India will face severe environmental issues due to its high-density population India handles environmental matters lightly. The violations originate from the top making it difficult to act against. Even with the threat of arrest and jail, the public does not seem bothered about stopping the use of firecrackers during the festival season, believing that no one can stop them. The political support lies with the public sentiment. So no one dares to stop it. The people of Delhi are facing the worst pollution problem. Yet their priority is the public sentiment. Strange!

There was no custom of using firecrackers during Diwali in ancient times. We can still celebrate it without crackers to safeguard our health. However, powerful business interests demand that we prioritize sentiment over our lives. Whether Hindu or Muslim; the loss is the same.

The law seems to be only for a formality when it deals with religious matters while the same law punishes a common man for moral policing and minor traffic violations. Indian cities face major environmental threats. While Bangalore and Chennai are grappling with floods and heavy rains Delhi is facing high AQI levels and heat in winter. The smoke becomes thick smog. Summer has already become disastrous. Still, we celebrate all festivals by damaging the earth and the environment. When we burn waste or throw it away in water, the hazardous materials do not disappear. They spread all over. In running water, waste is not purified; it is dissolved in water and ultimately returned to us through drinking water. It is high time to think about a solution. Let us ask if there is any. Still, there is. Strict law enforcement can fix the crisis. A few districts in Maharashtra, like Dhule, have decided to enforce the law strictly. Such appreciable steps hold a hope – a hope of easing the thickness of the smog.

SAJIKUMAR

https://sajikumar.co.in/