PUNJAB POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD APPEALS FOR GREEN DIWALI

Ludhiana, October 18, 2017: Taking note of deteriorating Ambient Air Quality in Punjab, Punjab Pollution Control Board appealed to the people of Punjab to celebrate the pious festival of Diwali as Green Diwali without causing noise and air pollution. While releasing the data of Ambient Air Quality Index of Punjab during last 24 hours Mr. K S Pannu Chairman PPCB stated that the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Punjab has climbed to 290 whereas the safe limit of AQI is upto 100.

He observed that the AQI of Punjab on Dewali night is likely to reach the severe limit of 500 which create respiratory problems even for healthy people. Pannu stated that oxide of Sulphur, Oxide of Nitrogen and particulate matter in the air cause serious health hazards for the children, pregnant women, and elderly population. He further stated that since Punjab and Haryana High Court has fixed the limit for bursting of Crackers between 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. , therefore he appealed that the fixed time limit should be adhered. Sh. Pannu wrote to all police chiefs and Deputy Commissioners to ensure that no one is allowed to burst the Crackers after the fixed time and strict action should be taken against the violators.

Referring to poor quality of Air, he exhorted the farmers not to burn paddy straw as it will first impair their own right to breathe fresh air before it travel to cities. He requested the farmers to incorporate the straw into soil as it has high value in terms of organic matter which tremendously improve the soil health leading to reduced dependace on chemical fertilisers and improvement in per acre production of crops. Therefore extra cost on mixing the straw into the soil should be considered as investment rather than expenditure.