“In an underdeveloped country, don't drink the water; in a developed country, don't breathe the air.” ~Changing Times magazine
Pollution is defined as “the introduction of pollutants (chemical substances, noise, heat, light, energy and others) into the environment which results in deleterious effects of such a nature as to endanger human health, harm living resources and ecosystems, and impair or interfere with amenities and other legitimate uses of the environment.”1
Though it should be the responsibility of economically developed and developing countries to take steps towards global pollution control, ironically it is the most developed countries that contribute most towards pollution. Fortunately, India is not among the top ten most polluting countries of the world. However some of its metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata exhibit alarmingly high pollution levels that are constantly on the rise.
EXTENT OF POLLUTION
Talking about air pollution in Kolkata, we constantly come across news articles in the newspapers and on the internet regarding the alarmingly high pollution levels in the metropolitan and the serious need to deal with it. Some of these are:
· Some 70% of people in the city of Calcutta suffer from respiratory disorders caused by air pollution, a recent study by a prominent cancer institute in India has concluded.2
· Pollution turns Kolkata's Victoria Memorial yellow.3
· Kolkata has the highest number of lung cancer patients. Seventy per cent of Kolkata’s citizens suffer some form of respiratory disease. 4
It is to be noted that pollution in Kolkata is especially acute during the winter, as the particulate matter can’t disperse easily due to low wind speed and high congestion. Following diagram (figure 1) shows the MEAN of the estimated present day pollution levels in Kolkata as compared to the mean of the normal levels of the pollutants.5 The overall levels of pollution show that the pollutants are present in the air in quantities far from normal and steps must be taken to improve the situation.
Figure 1
The next figure, (Figure 2)5 reveals a very important piece of information about the sources of air pollution in Kolkata. It shows that, while industries are chiefly responsible for SPM, domestic households are also guilty for high Co emissions.
Figure 2
The levels of noise pollution in the city are also alarming. Being one of the most populated cities, in the second most populated country of the world, Kolkata has a large road traffic, the sound of horns of which considerably add to the level of sound pollution. It becomes very difficult at times to even teach in schools and colleges that occupy busy streets. Not much heed is paid to the “Blow No Horn” or the “Keep Silence” signs.
For the water pollution in Kolkata, the residents of the city are to be held more liable than any industry. This is primarily due to the carelessness and nonchalance of the residents which they show towards maintaining proper standards of water. Apart from being a result of untreated sewage, chemical discharges, spillage of toxic materials, harmful materials leached from land disposal sites, agricultural chemicals and atmospheric pollutants dissolved in rainwater, in Kolkata, plastic bags are also a major source of pollution. The sewage system of Kolkata malfunctions a lot, primarily due to this reason and water logging takes place. Mr. Subhash Dutta, an eminent environmental activist had this to say in regard to polythene bags:
“Polybags which are less than 40 microns in thickness create severe drainage and sewerage problems. The bags clog the drains and cause water-logging. The filthy water accumulated on the streets mixes with clean water, and this when consumed creates a lot of health hazards”.
Taking serious consequences into consideration, the Government of West Bengal has banned polythene bags(less than 40 microns in thickness) in Kolkata with effect from June 5 2007.
CONTROL MEASURES
Serious control measures need to be adopted to correct the present situation that reflects the picture of an unhealthy present and an unhealthy future. Some of the steps that can be taken are as follows:
· Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater harvesting should be done in each and every household. This will not only reduce the scarcity of water, but will also guarantee the quality of drinking water, as rainwater is the purest form of water.
· Discontinuing usage of plastic bags: Though law has been passed by the Government of West Bengal, it is upon us to adhere to it. We should seriously discourage the usage of plastic bags, less than 40 microns in thickness in all forms of markets.
· Keeping adequate open areas: We know that Kolkata is a highly populated city. However provisions have to be made to ensure at least 20% open areas in the form of parks, gardens, etc. to maintain the hygiene of the environment.
· Disposal of old vehicles: It’s the old vehicles that cause maximum pollution in the air. Thus old vehicles, i.e. vehicles older than 15 years should be disposed off and a law should be passed to ensure the same.
· Regular monitoring of industries: Industries should be regularly monitored to check levels of particulate, gaseous and chemicals emissions made by them. Maximum permitted levels should be fixed by the Government and serious penalty should be imposed on those industries which emit more than the prescribed levels.
· Regulation of population pressure: The technique of Satellite Township should be used to regulate population pressure. A very important statistic revels that more number of people are settling in slums, than in other forms of settlement. Following figure (figure 3).This needs to be regulated.
Figure 3
· Polluters’ pay: Polluters’ pay is a newly emerging concept. Using this, fines are imposed on polluters whenever they are found polluting the environment. This is a very effective control measure, as it makes the public think ten times before polluting.
· Usage of public mode of transport: Public mode of transport should be used whenever possible. This will amount to a much lesser amount of pollution than what could be caused if every individual travels in a private car.
· Formation of Groups: Citizens should organize themselves into groups to act as watchdogs to any pollution creating ventures. For Example, if they see gaseous fumes coming out of any factory, they should report it to the concerned authorities, etc.
To conclude we can say that the level of pollution in Kolkata renders the city very unhealthy, and much needs to be done to bring the situation under control. Government, NGOs and we have an equal role to play in this regard.
“Only conscious behavior can protect this Earth. We must work together for protection of ourselves” - PROF. DR. A.K. MITRA
