It finally looks like there is an upside to the undesirable coronavirus lockdown that we are under. The world’s biggest lockdown has caused skies to turn blue, and air to turn cleaner. And now only two cities from India have figured in the list of 20 most polluted places in the world.
Compared to Last Year’s 14, Only 2 Indian Cities World’s Most Polluted
Last year, India had topped the charts of the world’s polluted places, being home to 14 of the 20 cities with the most polluted air. However, according to data from IQAir, on April 7, only two cities from India figured in the top 20 most polluted places.
According to Jyoti Pande Lavakare, co-founder of the Indian environmental organization Care For Air, “The low AQI and blue skies prove beyond doubt that a lot of the air pollution is a result of human activity. Obviously slowing down the economy to such a degree isn’t the ideal way of bringing down air pollution but at least it proves that it can be done if the intention is there.”
As per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), over 90 Indian Cities Recorded Minimal Air Pollution During Lockdown. The environmental agency’s website also mentioned that 39 other cities in the country have recorded “good” air quality and 51 cities have recorded “satisfactory” air quality in the last few days.
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Lockdown Leading To Cleaner Air And Drop In Respiratory Problems
The clean air in India is also leading to a significant drop in complaints from people suffering from respiratory problems. Delhi-based pulmonologist Pankaj Sayal now receives only 20% to 30% of the calls that he would get earlier.
“This lockdown is uncomfortable, and no country would have wanted it, but it’s giving data on how air quality and health indices change before and after the lockdown. There is an economic disaster but it also improves the quality of life because the air has become better,” Sayal was reported as saying.
However, the sharp surge in the number of coronavirus cases is alarming. As the days of the 21-day lockdown close nearer, many states have asked the Prime Minister to extend the lockdown. In the meanwhile, as citizens, the only thing we can do is to savour the blue skies and clean air till it lasts.
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