HOW TO TACKLE URBAN POLLUTION IN CITIES?

HOW TO TACKLE URBAN POLLUTION IN CITIES?

Pollution is a phenomenon in which either all or any one element of the environment gets contaminated; whether it be water, soil, air etc. there are two types of pollution based on the region:

a) URBAN POLLUTION: Contamination in air, water and other elements due to the activities performed in the cities and towns.

b) RURAL POLLUTION: Contamination due to activities in villages, mainly agricultural pollution.

TYPES OF URBAN POLLUTION:

1) AIR POLLUTION: Contamination in the quality of air in cities is due to –

·        Industrial emission

·        Vehicle emission

·        Stubble burning

·        Emission from mining

       Among world’s 20 most worst cities’ list in terms of air pollution, 13 of India’s cities are in it. Delhi, Kanpur topping the list.

2) WATER POLLUTION: The untreated water from industries or from household, contributes majorly towards contamination in the water bodies.

·        Untreated sewage from household

·        Untreated effluent from industries

   River Ganga and Yamuna are being included in the Global Polluted Rivers list.

3) NOISE POLLUTION: The unwanted sound from various means contributed towards deterioration of psychological mind, physical health of the people. These are-

·        Noisy sound from machines

·        Horns of cars

WAY AHEAD:

FOR AIR POLLUTION-

·        Industries must discharge their emission after installation of carbon filteration, smoke scrubbers.

·        Vehicles can move to hybrid electric vehicle system.

·        Vehicles must install smoke scrubber.

·        Farmers could use the stubble for biofuel purpose.

FOR WATER POLLUTION-

·        Sewage from industries must be properly treated before disposing to rivers.

·        Citizens can go with 3R’s( REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE) for biodegradable and non-biodegradable products.

FOR NOISE POLLUTION-

·        Heavy machines must be installed with silencers.

·        Minimize use of horns (mostly near residential and silence zone areas).

·        Do not play music at high sound in marriages and parties.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES:

·        In 2009 government came up with National Action Plan for Climate Change.

·        Central government along with state government of U.P., Uttrakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal are working to conserve River Ganga under Namami Ganga Project.

·        In 2000, government came up with National Noise Ambient Policy 2000 to regulate noise pollution in residential areas, silence zone etc.

·        Government of Haryana gave various subsidies to farmers to tackle issue of stubble burning.

·        Government made compulsory for vehicles to opt Bharat stage 4 from 2019.

·        Government came up with CAMPA, Polluter’s pay norms.

It is the need of an hour to protect the environment . And the only solution for it is sustainable development, otherwise it could lead to natural disasters such as flood, flash flood(as in Uttrakhand in 2015).

                                                                                                          Written By PRAGYA GUPTA