India continues to face a serious air pollution problem, with New Delhi as the worst-affected city. Recently, authorities announced that schools in the Indian capital would be closed for two days due to dangerous levels of pollution.
The level of fine particles (PM 2.5), the most dangerous for health, is 35 times higher than the maximum level set by the WHO. This pollution is the result of various sources, including agricultural burning, industrial emissions and road transport.
Agricultural burning in the northern region of India contributes greatly to this pollution. Every year, tens of thousands of farmers burn rice stubble, releasing large amounts of harmful particles into the air. Despite efforts by authorities to persuade farmers to use alternative land clearing methods, this practice persists and continues to worsen the pollution situation in New Delhi.
Authorities have tried to implement different plans to reduce pollution, such as suspending construction work, but the results have been mixed. The situation remains worrying, with toxic fog enveloping the city and endangering the health of residents.
A study published in The Lancet in 2020 highlighted the devastating effects of air pollution in India, attributing 1.67 million deaths to the cause. The capital, New Delhi, has recorded nearly 17,500 deaths linked to air pollution.
There is an urgent need for India to take radical measures to combat this scourge of air pollution. A transition to clean and sustainable energy sources is essential, as is raising awareness among the population and encouraging them to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Air pollution is a global problem that requires collective action. It is time for everyone to become aware of the impact of their actions on the environment and work together to find sustainable solutions. Otherwise, cities like New Delhi will continue to suffer from the adverse consequences of air pollution.