What & Where is the problem?
Air pollution is a yearly phenomenon in Delhi NCR now. It is also a serious issue in other metro cities across the nation due to similar practices & circumstances. Come winter & people are wheezing, falling ill, blacking out, even dying (some more slowly than others). Apparently we lose about 2 hours of life for every day we breathe in Delhi and yet lessons learnt are nil. Every year now the health advisories flash red. The Courts see red and demand a response from the government. The Center ignores and passes blame and the State bumbles with meaningless tokenism to escape it.
The local government of the city state is helpless with lack of authority over the respective institutions which come normally under the authority of the state. So to avoid blame with zero expertise they takes to a 'monkey see monkey do' approach with things like even odd which has zero impact on pollution, just to placate the Courts and public temporarily. Meanwhile the national government sits still and silent pretending not to see or hear anything only misdirecting the issue using other issues and a smart use of media- paid a/v, print and social.
Introduction of CNG was a scheme to hide the pollution clouds. Visible pollution reduced, toxicity of the invisible pollution increased. Public remained with their heads in the clouds thinking "All Iz Whell". Once the winter of discontent passes, 'Out of Sight Out of Mind' is in motion, which in Desi terms translates into 'Raat gayi Baat gayi'. The pollution still remains at less toxic levels than before (nonetheless still too toxic for human health) but because it is no longer visible it is no longer a problem. Waste in dumping sites have been over capacity since 2008, the ban on single used plastics has also been around forever but rather than enforce it, it has given way to tech fixes of incineration, and waste to energy instead of sorting and recycling, enforcing manufacturing bans.
The state cannot fully be blamed as it does not hold a lot of its own land or the land authority, it does not hold law and law enforcement and it does hold health but not appointment of health professionals. Alternatives to single use plastics which are another form of plastics is out, posing to the public as recyclables and cloth. Meanwhile, the belligerent educated and mislead public in the city, oblivious of the games that are being played with their health respond with statements like, Humein toh aadat si hai ab, Hum immune hain, Kuch nahi badlega, etc. Basically as long as their comfort and convenience is not disrupted and someone close to them is not suffering they do not care.
Industry will make what sells, they will keep making unless there is a loss of public interest or there is a government dispensation to penalize or restrict them. Profit trumps public welfare. So we cannot expect industry to change voluntarily. Getting government to restrict them too is difficult. The public is the voice if they feel empowered to do so. A Nirbhaya even for a few days showed us the power of the public. Protesting alone will achieve nothing neither will the bhook hartal or morchas. What is required is a systemic change, a disruption of the status quo, a demand for change starting with every individual and community banding together contributing to that change.
The larger problem is the unplanned and unrestricted population growth and illegal developments housing them since Independence. They are often ignored and even legalized as a vote bank though they add to the risks within the city be it from a fire, flooding, quake, etc. The people living in them have bigger problems the traditional roti, kapda makaan aspiration and pursuit of a status upgrade with time. People who moved in as political refugees, asylum seekers, labor, security forces. government personnel or who moved here in the last decade for work with the growth of industry, IT and BPO units or moved for education and a better life have no stake in the welfare of the city. For them Delhi is a transit point, a place they live in out of necessity awaiting something better, not by choice and often for a lifetime. None of them have ownership of Delhi or feel any pride or belonging even if they own huddled illegally constructed properties here.
Unlike other cities and towns you will not find settlers here saying "Apna Dilli". So if there is no Dil attached to Dilli how do we expect people and problems to change and resolve? So in such circumstances what do we the citizens of India & more so Delhi do? To define citizen action one must define the problem, the sources of the problem and address the causes of the sources of the problem in order to design effective localized solutions to resolve them at grassroots level as communities. What the law, industry or government cannot, communities can. Demand drives supply, kill the demand the supply will die, if consumer behavior changes, production patterns will change.
The state cannot fully be blamed as it does not hold a lot of its own land or the land authority, it does not hold law and law enforcement and it does hold health but not appointment of health professionals. Alternatives to single use plastics which are another form of plastics is out, posing to the public as recyclables and cloth. Meanwhile, the belligerent educated and mislead public in the city, oblivious of the games that are being played with their health respond with statements like, Humein toh aadat si hai ab, Hum immune hain, Kuch nahi badlega, etc. Basically as long as their comfort and convenience is not disrupted and someone close to them is not suffering they do not care.
Industry will make what sells, they will keep making unless there is a loss of public interest or there is a government dispensation to penalize or restrict them. Profit trumps public welfare. So we cannot expect industry to change voluntarily. Getting government to restrict them too is difficult. The public is the voice if they feel empowered to do so. A Nirbhaya even for a few days showed us the power of the public. Protesting alone will achieve nothing neither will the bhook hartal or morchas. What is required is a systemic change, a disruption of the status quo, a demand for change starting with every individual and community banding together contributing to that change.
The larger problem is the unplanned and unrestricted population growth and illegal developments housing them since Independence. They are often ignored and even legalized as a vote bank though they add to the risks within the city be it from a fire, flooding, quake, etc. The people living in them have bigger problems the traditional roti, kapda makaan aspiration and pursuit of a status upgrade with time. People who moved in as political refugees, asylum seekers, labor, security forces. government personnel or who moved here in the last decade for work with the growth of industry, IT and BPO units or moved for education and a better life have no stake in the welfare of the city. For them Delhi is a transit point, a place they live in out of necessity awaiting something better, not by choice and often for a lifetime. None of them have ownership of Delhi or feel any pride or belonging even if they own huddled illegally constructed properties here.
Unlike other cities and towns you will not find settlers here saying "Apna Dilli". So if there is no Dil attached to Dilli how do we expect people and problems to change and resolve? So in such circumstances what do we the citizens of India & more so Delhi do? To define citizen action one must define the problem, the sources of the problem and address the causes of the sources of the problem in order to design effective localized solutions to resolve them at grassroots level as communities. What the law, industry or government cannot, communities can. Demand drives supply, kill the demand the supply will die, if consumer behavior changes, production patterns will change.
The AQI (Air Quality Index) up to 50 is considered good, after which human life, health and well being deteriorates. On average AQI stays between 100 - 250 in most parts of Delhi(excluding pockets of micro climates where it may drop to 50-55) and in the winter reaches dangerous limits of 300 - 999+, which is hazardous and toxic. Knowingly and unknowingly Delhiites are both the victims & perpetrators of crimes against humanity as they do not realize their role in the state of the environment in Delhi.
Yes, Right to Health may have not been a Fundamental Right in India under its Constitution. However, the Constitution directs the state to take measures to improve the condition of healthcare & impose a pollution free environment for good health of its people, under Articles 38, 39(e) 41, 42, 47, 48A of the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP). But then it is more than mere State Duty, for Supreme Court relying on international documents in the case CESC ltd. v/s. Subash Chandra Bose, concluded that Right to Health was a Fundamental Right.
Yes, Right to Health may have not been a Fundamental Right in India under its Constitution. However, the Constitution directs the state to take measures to improve the condition of healthcare & impose a pollution free environment for good health of its people, under Articles 38, 39(e) 41, 42, 47, 48A of the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP). But then it is more than mere State Duty, for Supreme Court relying on international documents in the case CESC ltd. v/s. Subash Chandra Bose, concluded that Right to Health was a Fundamental Right.
In T. Ramakrishna Rao vs. Hyderabad Development Authority, the Andhra Pradesh High Court observed: Protection of the environment is not only the duty of the citizens but also the obligation of the State and all other organs of the State including the Courts. The slow poisoning of the atmosphere caused by environmental pollution & spoliation should be regarded as amounting to violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Thus linking pollution to health and declaring it a violation of the right to life with dignity as well.
This means that if Delhiites decide to take ownership of their city, they have an absolute right to congregate and challenge the government legally both the Centre and State on the state of the environment and the worsening quality of life. The important thing is to remain true to the cause and prevent politics, or media hungry agents with political agendas posing as concerned citizens, activists and ngos from diluting and disrupting it. Delhiites might actually live an extra 9-10 years if WHO air quality norms were followed. Speaking from personal experience, the pitiful condition of children, elderly, women & men of this city that once took pride in being green & clean, cannot be unseen when you walk into hospitals in the winter. Meanwhile, seasonal rants about the weather, pollution & their health conditions on social media with pictures to reinforce their misery & win solidarity are a trend now to no effect other than to evoke sympathy.
Companies run charity events & festivals for multiple causes in the winter with "good intentions" neglecting the immediate problem at hand (oversight since money has been invested and returns are higher than breathing problems in the public). But you will not find them fighting for the air pollution cause unless it is to peddle a product or service. Give them a good reason to change. Government actions are as good as flogging a dead horse because they lack expertise and function in arrogance just to meet election deadlines. They are engaged in showering people with meaningless freebies and PR campaigns now. But now is the time to raise the real issues and hold them all accountable. Make them work for the people rather than idolizing them as Gods and heros. Ask questions, demand answers.
Companies run charity events & festivals for multiple causes in the winter with "good intentions" neglecting the immediate problem at hand (oversight since money has been invested and returns are higher than breathing problems in the public). But you will not find them fighting for the air pollution cause unless it is to peddle a product or service. Give them a good reason to change. Government actions are as good as flogging a dead horse because they lack expertise and function in arrogance just to meet election deadlines. They are engaged in showering people with meaningless freebies and PR campaigns now. But now is the time to raise the real issues and hold them all accountable. Make them work for the people rather than idolizing them as Gods and heros. Ask questions, demand answers.
In the meanwhile, to see what we can do to help with the situation as citizens, please take a look at:
1. Low Carbon Living @ Home
2. Low Carbon Living @ Work
(Statutory warning: This blog post by no means is an exhaustive list of what can be done to deal with air pollution in Delhi. Keep watching this space as it will be updated & populated with more information & links when it becomes available. This is a representation of views & ideas that came forth from the author that could be explored for viability. It is based on the limited research, deliberation & understanding of the author who suffers from the after-effects of air-pollution in Delhi. The images used are not owned by the author or KEYS Trust and belong to their original sources and are merely used for education & visual representation purpose.This by no way means the author is an expert & any flaws in the content in terms of correction, omission or additions may be kindly excused & communicated to the author by way of email to: keystrustindia@gmail.com)
1. Low Carbon Living @ Home
2. Low Carbon Living @ Work
- Joseph T. Varghese, Author & Managing Trustee, KEYS Trust
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(Statutory warning: This blog post by no means is an exhaustive list of what can be done to deal with air pollution in Delhi. Keep watching this space as it will be updated & populated with more information & links when it becomes available. This is a representation of views & ideas that came forth from the author that could be explored for viability. It is based on the limited research, deliberation & understanding of the author who suffers from the after-effects of air-pollution in Delhi. The images used are not owned by the author or KEYS Trust and belong to their original sources and are merely used for education & visual representation purpose.This by no way means the author is an expert & any flaws in the content in terms of correction, omission or additions may be kindly excused & communicated to the author by way of email to: keystrustindia@gmail.com)
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