By Raju William
Patiala, October 18, 2017: On the eve of Diwali, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) exhorted people of Punjab to celebrate the pious festival as Gree Diwali without causing noise and air pollution.
Making this fervent appeal, the PPCB Chairman, Kahan Singh Pannu drew attention of the people to deteriorating Ambient Air Quality in Punjab.
Releasing the data of Ambient Air Quality Index of Punjab during last 24 hours, Pannu stated that the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Punjab climbed to 290 against the safe limit of AQI up to 100.
He observed that the AQI of Punjab on Diwali night is likely to reach the severe limit of 500 which may create respiratory problems even for healthy people. The Oxide of Sulphur, Nitrogen and particulate matter in the air causes serious health hazards for the children, pregnant women, and elderly population.
Punjab and Haryana High Court has fixed the limit for bursting of crackers between 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, he highlighted while appealing public to adhere to this time limit.
Pannu has already written to all police chiefs and Deputy Commissioners to ensure the HC directive and take strict action against the violators.
Referring to poor quality of air, he also exhorted farmers not to burn paddy straw as it would first impair their own right to breathe fresh air before it travelled to cities.
He requested them to mix the straw back into soil as it has high value in terms of organic matter which tremendously improve the soil health leading to reduced dependence 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.