Is it Hopeless with Delhi Air Pollution? What Can People Do to Decrease It?

Smog covering Rashtrapati Bhavan the morning after Diwali, with vehicles moving slowly through reduced visibility (Image via pexels)

The delight of Diwali has become bitter once again in the capital. With the already present smog, firecrackers have caused the air quality to be more harmful. This year, soon after Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 500+ in numerous locations, making the air almost unbreathable.

This has also caused an increase in respiratory issues at hospitals, and the visibility on roads has reduced significantly. The tourists coming to the city were not with festival lights but with grey haze and smoke. The spike that follows Diwali every year is evidence that air pollution in Delhi is now a seasonal crisis that endangers not only the health but also the tourism.

Why the Delhi Air Turns Toxic Every Year

Delhi air pollution is not just caused by Diwali alone, but is a combination of several problems. The main sources are vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, construction dust, and stubble burning in the neighboring states.

The landlocked nature of the city of Delhi aggravates the situation as it traps pollutants near the ground when the winter winds reduce their speed. All these form a thick and toxic blanket around the city; millions of people are forced to find clean air annually.

Steps Every Citizen Can Take to Clean Delhi's Air Pollution

We can make a visible change in the air quality even with small changes. These are easy, but effective steps that any person can follow:

• Travel by Train, Bus, or Car Share:

If short trips by personal cars can be eliminated, it can save a considerable amount of emissions. This switch is easy and environmentally friendly, thanks to the increasing metro and electric bus networks in Delhi.

• Avoid Burning of Firecrackers and Waste

The burning and firecrackers emit dangerous chemicals into the air. Decisions such as celebrating in a less noisy and cleaner manner and recycling waste can assist in reducing pollution in neighborhoods.

• Planting More Trees

Planting of trees such as neem, peepal, or ficus in front of houses or societies naturally purifies dust and carbon dioxide. A more environmentally friendly world helps improve the quality of air and mental health.

• Create Awareness:

Discussion of pollution prevention at school, offices, and housing societies promotes shared responsibility. The initial step that can create a long-lasting change is the creation of awareness.

Volunteers planting trees to reduce Delhi Air Pollution and create a better Environment (Image via Pexels)

Governmental Initiatives to fight Delhi Air Pollution

The government has been making efforts to combat air pollution in Delhi. The recent experimental cloud seeding, which involved creating artificial rain, had encouraging results in temporarily washing the pollutants.

Smog towers are placed at the key intersections, and the limits on the construction and industrial waste are stricter. Delhi is slowly changing its transport to electric cars and reducing emission standards. Although these slow measures, they show progressive achievement of clean air.

Collective Action Can Change the Air We Breathe

Change that endures can only occur when the citizens and authorities collaborate. Green drives and awareness campaigns can be organized at schools, resident welfare associations, and even at workplaces to foster sustainable living.

Eco-friendly trips can also be promoted by travel companies and tourism boards, which can give tourists the incentive to discover Delhi responsibly. Teamwork becomes contagious - as one individual makes a move, a hundred others will come.

Delhi air pollution seems to be an endless fight, but it is a fight that can be handled through togetherness by taking a few steps. With the citizens being responsible and the government pushing on with innovative work, the city can gradually regain its clean air.

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