The problem of smog and air pollution are a soaring one for entire India, however, recently, it has particularly been a serious issue for the national capital and its surrounding areas. Delhi and NCR are covered under thick smog. Smog is fog mixed with smoke, chemicals, gases and other pollutants in the atmosphere that makes the air difficult to breathe and harmful for health. Despite a ban on sale of fire crackers in Delhi during Diwali, the city and the national capital region is enveloped by a thick layer of smog, deteriorating the quality of air to extreme levels.
India’s national capital is covered by thick smog Scroll
On Tuesday, the blanket of smog on the city was heavy and declared as hazardous for the health of residents of the city. The average levels of air pollution components in the city are more than four times the safe limit. One of the main cause of this smog is the wind bringing pollutants to the city from farm fires being carried out in Punjab and arrival of moisture from the east.
A fresh report from the WHO says that pollution takes toll of 30,000 people in Delhi every year, taking lives of as many as 80 people every day. The report that talks about the problem of pollution all across the world has stated that India and China are the two countries worst affected by pollution but has also mentioned that China has taken some significant steps to reduce the hazard posed by it.
The IMA has advised people to avoid stepping out of their homes IndiaTVNEws
Considering the WHO report saying that China has taken some meaningful measures to combat the soaring issue of pollution while India hasn’t been able to do much about it, our country must learn some lessons from our neighbor.
1. China has accorded maximum importance to pollution control in its development programs.
A number of gadgets that are helpful in getting rid of smog have been developed and can be used by anyone.
2. China has increased the proportion of atomic energy, natural gas and renewable energy in its energy production.
It has adopted ways to produce thermal power that promote cleaner use of coal and stop the pollution arising from use of old coal.
China has taken stringent steps in reducing coal-fired power plants in the country.
3. As per a report by News 18, China is using mist cannon, a dust controlling gadget, which sprays liquid into the air in the form of minute particles.
This leads the harmful dust present in the air to fall down on the earth like rain, reducing the risk of respiratory and lung problems in people.
Mist Cannon used by China QZ
4. More than 2,000 construction sites in China are checked for pollution.
5. Entry of pollution causing vehicles has been restricted in its capital Beijing.
Construction sites in China are regularly checked for pollution Dailyreporter
6. An Environment Monitoring Center has been established that keeps a continuous check on pollution levels.
7. Rules pertaining to pollution control have been made stricter and companies and persons evading the rules have been punished.
8. Approximately 1,350 buses running on clean energy have been employed in public transport.
A clean energy bus in China.
Meanwhile, since the air quality is not expected to improve for the next few days, the Indian Medical Association has advised people to avoid stepping out of their homes. The Delhi government has declared a holiday on Wednesday for all the government and government approved schools in the city.
Delhi schools have been shut for one day owing to heavy pollution NDTV
But avoiding outdoor activities is only a temporary way out to minimize the hazard of pollution on people and not a solution to the problem. India must learn from China so that the problem can be tackled at the earliest and lives of millions of people can be saved well in time.