As Diwali is a Week Down, the Worsened Air Quality of the Nation’s Capital Necessitates Responsible conduct.

On October 23, New Delhi’s Air Quality Index shows a shift in its order to very poor. For a few parts of the region, it shifted from severe to dangerous. The major source of pollution is stubble burning and emissions from vehicles. This situation cautions us to cut down our carbon footprint in every possible way. 

Every year, Delhi’s air quality has been falling down gradually. Though it results due to various causes, it acts as a reminder for everyone to act responsibly. The causes of it, the working efficiency of existing actions to address it, and the type of responsible actions required are as follows:

Causes of Worsening Air Quality

Stubble burning by growers( particularly from Punjab and Haryana) has been linked as the major source of pollution worsening in Delhi. The Supreme Court, on October 23, blamed the state governments of Punjab and Haryana as well as the Central Government for their limited measures addressing the issue. Stubble burning is the burning of the straw left after a crop in a ranch for the sake of soil fertility to ensure crop success.

This has been a major cause of air pollution in India, as farming is a major income source for most of the Indian population. Still, the issue arises from the lack of knowledge of growers that they can avoid this process and ensure soil fertility and a better crop. 

While stubble burning is a critical cause, it is not the only one; the other causes include carbon emissions from the transportation sector. As the roads of the nation’s capital are overcrowded with vehicles most of the time, the emissions from these vehicles are also a major source of air pollution. 

Actions taken by the authorities:

The peaking situation has prompted the authorities to apply stage two measures under the Graded Response Action Plan( GRAP). It includes measures like concentrated and targeted conduct, water smattering along with dust suppressants, regular power force to avoid alternate pollution- causing sources, discouraging private transport through parking figure hikes, ordering for boosted dust control during construction and obliteration workshops, etc. A week ago, the Delhi government put a ban on the use of fire crackers in the megacity. 

 Responsible conduct needed 

While similar actions are in process, it’s necessary that environmental laws be strengthened to address similar issue matters in India. The root causes should be addressed rather than a direct condemnation and criminalisation of pollution-causing acts of the farmers and the citizens.

Research and policy enterprise are to be taken to insure the same. Still, it is not just the responsibility of the authorities or the citizens of Delhi, but rather a responsibility of every citizen in India to act consequently for a better future. Why not celebrate this Diwali as environmentally friendly and original as possible?