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EDITORIAL

Young Bites. Dated: 11/22/2017 10:17:08 AM

Keep surroundings clean

Pollution in air and water has been acknowledged as most disastrous and harmful for human life because air and water is directly consumed by human beings. The Government from time to time has passed several laws to protect the environment. But when it comes to the implementation of these laws we find that at many places in Jammu and Kashmir these Rules and Regulations are openly flaunted. Notwithstanding the fact that air pollution in the State is increasing with the increase in the number of vehicles and remains a matter of serious concern for one and all, the departments which are required to check fuel adulteration have not been fulfilling their duties on the pretext of lack of manpower and equipment. More interestingly, the environment management has not found a proper place in the planning of the State till date despite the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has already been declared as Air Pollution Control Zone under the Air (Prevention and Control) Act, 1981.Urgent steps need to be taken to restore the purity of the air we breathe, in the best interests of our present and future generations. Due to failure of the concerned agencies to take corrective measures, the air pollution is continuously chocking both the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar with Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) remaining beyond permissible limits thereby putting the lives of human beings to grave health hazards. If the Government continued to remain non-serious towards this critical issue, these capital cities may in the coming years fall in the category of most polluted cities of the country. According to the Forest Minister, major causes of air pollution are vehicles, road construction and infrastructure development activities, mining, burning of garbage and industrial establishments like stone crushers, brick kilns and cement plants etc.Though, as per the Minister, the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar do not fall under the category of most polluted cities of the country, the RSPM and SPM are continuously exceeding the desired limits. He also admitted that adulteration of diesel and petrol with kerosene oil increases vehicular pollution, which is the major contributor to the increasing RSPM and SPM levels in the capital cities. What to talk of air pollution, water pollution is also going unchecked and uncontrolled as all the concerned agencies responsible to check the same are sleeping over the numerous recommendations made by different agencies including State Pollution Control Board from time to time.The major causes of water pollution are discharge of untreated sewage from domestic and commercial sources and discharge of industrial effluents into water bodies. “The major source of pollution in River Tawi and Ranbir canal are the discharge of untreated sewage and dumping of solid waste. The source of most outdoor noise is mainly caused by machines, transportation systems, and loud music in public transport, motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Indoor noise is caused by machines, building activities, music performances, and especially in some workplaces. Vehicular emission is the main cause of these deplorable conditions, as it contributes to about 63 per cent to the total pollution. This is followed by industries and thermal power plants — at 29 per cent — and domestic sector at eight per cent. These alarming conditions in the country’s capital city-state need to serve as a wake-up call for the authorities to take note of the hazards that are posed by aerosol pollution. Urgent steps need to be taken to restore the purity of the air we breathe, in the best interests of our present and future generations.