Pollution control board organises seminar on World Environment Day

Ranchi: A seminar was organised on the occasion of the World Environment Day by the Pollution Control Board at the  Palash Auditorium here which was addressed by chairman of the Board A K Rastogi. Speaking on the occasion he said that 92 per cent population does not breathe clean air which is according to the prescribed standards of the WHO. Moreover he pointed that the most adverse impact of air pollution is on the lower and middle  income group countries. He said that PM2.5 is the most dangerous pollutant impacting people’s health.

Mr Rastogi further said that 7 out of 10 most polluted cities are in India and if business continues as usual than Ranchi risks the path of going down Delhi’s path. He also outlined the various measures which have been taken to bring down the air pollution levels. Sanjay Kumar, PCCF said that he too has been a victim of air pollution and the impact is no longer hidden and he was forced to undertake domiciliary hospitalisation for six days in January 2019. He said that 47 per cent Indians are resistant to common antibiotics and air pollution is one of the factors affecting this.

Additional Chief Secretary Indu Shekar Chaturvedi said that air pollution was a global challenge but the magnitude of problem in India is more of an emergency and called for holistic approach and cross sectoral engagements to sort out the issue. However he pointed that enforcement efforts particularly in the minning area was poor as industries are non compliant. During the function Padamshree Yamuna Tudu was felicitated by JSPCB while Mr Rajeev Lochan Bakshi delivered the vote of thanks.