Earlier, thanks to the lockdown Shimla in Himachal Pradesh enjoyed over 74% of cleaner ait. With minimal industrial and transport activities during the last couple of months, the smog has been replaced by the pleasing breeze, the honking of the cars have been replaced by the chirruping of birds. But now that Himachal Pradesh even opened its doors to tourism again. But alas, the state now faces a spike in COVID-19 cases. To combat this, markets in Shimla will remain closed on Sundays. So folks in Shimla must do their shopping beforehand. Read on to know more.
Shimla Closes Its Markets On Sundays To Curb COVID-19 Cases
Shimla district magistrate Apoorv Devgan revealed to media houses that Shimla will close all its shops except those selling essential goods like food items, medicines and restaurants. The hill station took this decision to combat the rising COVID-19 cases in the state. This preventive measure of closing markets on Sunday might help curb the rising coronavirus cases in Shimla.
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Air In Shimla Gets 74% Cleaner During COVID-19 Lockdown
Shimla, the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most picturesque cities in India. However, the presence of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) in the air had been a major health hazard for the people living out there. Amid lockdown, its level has dropped by more than 74 percent, allowing residents to inhale, fresh, pollutant-free air. Emission of fumes from vehicles, construction activities and industries is negligible now and there have been lesser cases of forest fires as well.
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The state pollution regulator had recorded a drop in the RSPM P10 to about 21 micrograms per cubic meter recently in The Ridge, Shimla from nearly 81 micrograms per cubic meter in June 2019.
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Air Quality Improved In Other Indian Cities As Well
Air quality has improved in other Indian cities and states as well. As per a recent study by the scientists of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Uttarakhand, the pollution level in Delhi has come down to almost zero. Also, NASA has published a data, reporting that air pollution in North India has gone back by about 20 years.
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Even after the lockdown is over, let’s try to count on eco-friendly practises as much as possible, so that our surroundings continue to be clean and pollution-free even in the long run.