Thousands gather at Leisure Valley park to protest against air pollution
Gurugram: More than 3,000 residents of Gurugram congregated at Leisure Valley park to register their protest on the worsening air quality. The highlight of the congregation was a strong expression by the residents who came up with banners and placards to urge the authorities to take the issue of environment, climate change and pollution seriously. Leading the way were hundreds of school children who were at the forefront of highlighting their plight of how poor air was affecting the health. There was also large participation of women corporated who affirmed that how poor air was not only affecting their health but also their children's health.
On the pretext of air being in the hazardous category the district administration had ordered the closure of schools in Gurugram. Four out of five days in Gurugram last week were under the hazardous category breaching the 450 mark which resulted in a public health emergency in the city. According to medical experts, the healthy air quality index should be maintained between 60-100 micrograms per cubic meter beyond which there can be serious health implications. Not only last week but various data have pointed out that in a year there are only 15 days when 30 lakh residents living in the city actually get to breathe the clean air.
Pointing out that there are various factors involved in the poor air of Gurugram, residents highlighted various factors contributing to pollution. These factors included dust pollution, burning of garbage, loss of green cover, lack of public transport, usage of diesel generators, construction and demolition of waste.
At a time when there is a greater risk of even Aravallis falling prey to land mafia the citizens further urged the government that they must make sure that the green lungs of the city are not allowed to be usurped in the name of progress and development. "The prevailing air conditions are a wake-up call for us to understand the balance we need to create between development and the environment. The current set of conditions is a cause of our own greed and indifference. If as a parent you have still not been awakened to the fact that your child who is not even ten years of age are being advised to consume nebulisers and cough syrups then there is something definitely wrong," said Malini Sharma.
