By Sir Dr. Huz
The air that we breathe, to the water that we drink, have some or the other form of contamination and pollution. It will not be wrong if we say that almost everything concerned with human well-being is deteriorating. Reason and responsibility for the same is we and our practices. We are not leading a healthy life as almost everything around us is polluted- air, water, soil; impacting human survival and also the natural flora and fauna.
Pollution concerns around the world are at an all time high and the efforts need to be oriented towards educating the masses about its future consequences that the coming generations might be left to face.
As per a World Health Organization estimate, 11 out of 12 most air polluted cities in the world are from India. Most of the rivers and river basins in India are victims of pollution.
According to the State of Global Air Report by the Health Effects Institute, air pollution has contributed to the death of close to 6 million people worldwide with an increase in the risk of stroke, lung cancer and heart attack. Out of this massive number, close to 51% victims were from India and China. This statistic presents a worrisome picture about the pollution problems in the country. A lot of this is due to the usage of biomass as cooking fuel and is explained as indoor pollution. The indoor and outdoor pollution can give rise to a double burden of sorts for the countries and needs to be controlled with equal rigour.
This paints a sorry picture of the environment conditions prevailing in the country in contrast to the world. The pollution further pollutes other resources.
For a developing nation like India, environment is the most significant resource that needs to be nurtured and protected for a healthy economy to sustain. Gnawed by the internal problems of pollution, it will become very difficult to focus on an overall growth objective.
There is a need of creating awareness among people about the ever growing air, water, land, forest and noise pollution levels and working towards a healthy environment. Prevention and being a responsible human being is the only way.
National Pollution Prevention Day is observed on December 02 every year. The day is in the memory of people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which is considered to be the biggest industrial pollution disasters of all times. The objective is to spread awareness about the need to manage and control pollution generated through industries and highlight the importance of pollution control acts. There are various pollution control initiatives undertaken by the Indian Legislation with the objective of maintaining the levels for a healthy environment. There is a rising need to promote the use of renewable energy and contribute towards reversing the age of the environment.
The supply of LPG to the most rural locations in the country is a good start towards cutting down on the usage of house fuel – coal and biomass. Indoor pollution can thus be controlled by adopting sustainable and environment-friendly methods that also aid community growth.
Control measures need to be adopted in the direction of waste water treatment, hazardous waste management in urbanized areas, energy saving projects, resources recovery projects, etc.
Reduce Reuse and Recycle is the thumb rule to help ourselves survive and have our earth preserved for future generations. As the world is moving towards depletion of its natural reserves, pollution is an extension of this depletion and needs increased emphasis among people to safeguard.
Happy National Pollution Prevention Day ( Dec 2 ) !
Sir Dr. Huz is the social worker, peacekeeper, author, philanthropist and CEO at Wockhardt Foundation. He can be reached at Sir-Dr-Huz.Care
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