Pune: In response to a concerning increase in air pollution levels and deteriorating air quality indices (AQI) in major cities, including Pune, the Central government is set to issue a crucial advisory. The announcement comes as doctors report a surge in respiratory illnesses, prompting individuals to resort to carrying oxygen concentrators for relief. Gufran Baig, a national expert in air quality and climate change, and the founder director of System of Air quality and Weather Forecasting And Research-IITM (SAFAR), has exclusively revealed collaborative efforts with the Central government to formulate a pan-India policy framework.
Baig unveiled the ongoing initiative named the “Air Quality Forecasting and Resource Framework,” aimed at addressing the alarming escalation of air pollution. The comprehensive framework, loaded with scientific recommendations and litigation strategies, seeks to combat air pollution, safeguard public health, and ensure sustainable urban development.
The framework targets issues arising from increased construction and deforestation, with mature trees vital for absorbing pollutants being replaced by saplings. Pune grapples with poor air quality daily, emanating hazardous air emissions. Baig emphasizes the need for a framework to guide administrations in regulating rising pollution levels.
Observing Pune’s declining air quality, Baig attributes it to factors such as increasing construction, burning of garbage, indiscriminate tree cutting, and a drastic rise in vehicular pollution. The failure of builders and civic bodies to adhere to guidelines exacerbates the situation, jeopardizing the environment.
Baig stresses the importance of green cover around construction sites and highlights a rise in tree-felling incidents, posing a significant threat to the environment. Failure to cover heavy vehicles transporting debris and concrete results in substantial dust emissions directly affecting the city’s air quality.
In addition to Baig’s concerns, experts, including Dr. Kiran Kharat from Ruby Hall Clinic and Dr. Vijay Warad, director of the Indian Allergy and Asthma Network, share video evidence of significant smog contributing to air pollution. They warn of the alarming situation and criticize the civic body’s failure to control air pollution, demanding improvements to protect future generations.
Acknowledging the rise in air pollution, a senior official from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) assures collaborative efforts with other departments, especially town planning, to combat pollution and improve air quality.
COPD Threat: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) constitutes a staggering 20% of respiratory illnesses today, doubling in the post-COVID era. This poses a significant threat, affecting the quality of life for many patients, warns Dr. Vijay Warad.
