Imagine living in a city where as soon as you wake up in the morning, you are in front of a thick cloud of dust and your city is completely covered. Sunlight had to struggle to pass through the veil of dust. And breathing feels like you are not breathing fresh air, but taking the dust inside.
This is not a dystopian scene of any film, but the truth of Lahore, Pakistan and Delhi, India, which is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Pakistani city of Lahore as the most polluted city on earth. According to the American Air Quality Index, the pollution level of Lahore and Delhi has increased so much that it can reduce people’s average life by 5 years.
On one hand, Lahore, which has become the most polluted city in the world, and on the other hand, Delhi, which is often called a gas chamber. If this is the case from the morning, then what will happen after that? People of both these cities are facing similar challenges. We will try to understand the struggles of people, their restlessness and the urgent state of their problems in the dust of these cities.
Can this city bring back its lost laughter? Can their future generation live in a clean and better environment? We will explore all this in today’s topic. Lahore, where about 1.5 crore people live, is one of the most polluted areas in the world. But rapid urbanization and industrial growth have reduced this city from the problem of heavy pollution.
According to a report, 83% of Lahore’s pollution comes from the transport sector, where thousands of vehicles with outdated engines emit thick smoke. Apart from this, dangerous populations such as PM2.5 and PM10, ignoring factories and environmental regulations, are leaving in the air. At this rate, the particles in it are so small that they easily reach the lungs and bloodstream and become the reason for reaching our bodies.
In addition, the process of burning coral in the nearby agricultural areas also increases this problem. Due to the lack of farm facilities, farmers burn coral to prepare for crop in their farms, which increases the level of pollution in the winters every year. This situation has become a serious health indicator for Lahore’s residents.
Delhi is the capital of India. In fact, every year in the winter season, poisonous smoke sheets are covered, which becomes a major threat to people’s health and life. Schools are closed, construction work is stopped, and strict restrictions are imposed on the movement of vehicles.
But the question arises, are these efforts still enough? The masks we wore during the pandemic are now being used in a new fight against pollution. Doctors and scientists say that the effect of this smoke is not only on people’s lungs, but also on their hearts and minds. Children and adults are at the highest risk, and this danger is increasing every year.
This gas chamber has become a problem in the city, from burning coral to vehicle emissions to industrial pollution. This problem will only be solved when the citizens will contribute and become more sensitive to the environment. This is not just a problem of a city, but a problem of every Indian.
The air quality of Delhi has also reached the hazardous category. If we talk about the air quality index, it is going above 400. Every year, between October and February, cities are covered in a thick layer of poisonous smoke.
This is due to smoke vehicle industrials, emissions, construction dust, and garbage burning. These toxic air effects not only create breathing-related problems, but also have a long-term impact. Stable burning, which occurs in Punjab, Haryana, Bastan, and Uttar Pradesh, increases pollution in Delhi.
According to the WHO, health hazards related to air pollution are now equal to the global health emergency. But then around 6 o’clock, it happens that some damage starts in the streets. And Delhi has become the epicenter of this crisis.
If we talk about the air quality of Lahore, then the air quality index of Lahore has also reached the hazardous category, which is going above 300. Basically, if you look at it, the EQI should be below 50, which is considered safe for human health. Air pollution in Delhi and Lahore directly affects people’s health.
Understanding the Pollution Level of Lahore and Delhi: A Health Crisis in Two Cities
This is not limited to just a breathing problem, but can also cause lung and heart problems in the long term. Children and elderly people are being more affected by this pollution. Hospitals and clinics are full, which are treating pollution-related illnesses.
Lahore is also called the heart of Pakistan. This city is also known for its cultural richness and historical heritage. Iconic landmarks such as Lahore Food and Salimar’s Garden are the identity of Lahore.
These historical cities not only attract local people, but also tourists. Lahore’s street foods are also very popular and this city is part of a social fabric. Cricket is the life of the people here and you can see children playing street cricket in every corner of the city.
But due to pollution, hygiene and health concerns have increased so much that it is also making cultural variances very impactful. And it is also making the qualities of life of the city a challenge. More than 55,000 people have presented to the various hospitals of Lahore in only one week.
There is a big contribution of stubble burning in the areas around Lahore due to air pollution. When farmers burn stubble to clean their farms, PM-215 particles and toxic gases are released, which directly reach our lungs and bloodstream. These are long-term health issues such as heart problems, cancer.
This is a cost-effective method, but it is very harmful for health. Some measures have also been taken by the government, such as farm equipment, subsidies and awareness programs. But they have not been able to effectively solve this problem yet.
But no matter how difficult the situation is, the ray of hope is still alive. To increase awareness among environmental activities and NGOs, Tri-Sleaze continues to work. Many campaigns have started in Lahore to promote replantation drives, plastic waste reductions and clean energy solutions.
To reduce the government’s pollution, policies are trying to introduce subsidies such as stickers, vehicle emissions, standards and electric vehicles. But there are many hurdles in effectively implementing these policies, such as political challenges. International collaborations can also play a big role.
Technology and expertise can be shared to handle the pollution crisis of Lahore through sustainable solutions. If we talk about the call of actions, then Lahore is a walk-up call for the whole world. It shows what the consequences of unchecked industrialization and urbanization can be.
Government, industrial and individuals will have to take action now, otherwise this problem will increase further. Reducing air pollution is not just a job to save the environment, but it can also be a simple step to save people’s lives. Carpooling, using public transport, supporting renewable energy can make a lot of difference.
If we talk about Delhi, then PM 2.5 means such particles matter whose diameter is only 2.5 microns. These particles do not stop only at the lungs, but easily reach every organ of the body. According to a recent study, 2 million people die every year in India due to air pollution.
And India’s biggest contributor is PM 2.5. These particles increase the risk of lungs infections, asthma, cardiovascular diseases. One fact is that in Delhi’s air, the concentration of PM 2.5 is 10 to 15 times more than the safe limit of WHO. This means that breathing in polluted air every day is equal to the health risk of a heavy smoker.
Stable burning is a major contributor to pollution. But this is not the only reason, 60% of Delhi’s pollution is from the sources of the city. CO2 and NOx gases coming out of vehicles, combined with construction dust, increase smoke formations.
These pollutions get trapped in the air, which become thick layers of smoke, until proper waste management and emissions control systems are implemented. Delhi’s air pollution has a deep impact on health. In non-smokers, the increasing cases of lung cancer is another worrying trend.
If we talk about at least 30 years ago, cancer was common only in smokers. Today, the cases of non-smokers are also increasing rapidly. Smoke is not in our control.
This is not just a statics, but a walk-up call as to how much the effect of pollution can be. Due to the level of air pollution, outdoor activities may have to be stopped. If we talk about the government here, then the Delhi government has made a specific action for pollution control, which detects air quality levels at every stage.
According to this plan, the entry of diesel vehicles in air pollution conditions, stopping construction activities and shifting the school online are temporary measures. And here, the primary focus of the GRAPS is on emergency responses, not on long-term prevention. Experts say that measures such as promoting renewable energy, reducing vehicle emissions, and implementing sustainable urban planning are not taken.
Until then, it may be difficult for pollution to break one of its weakest cycles. GRAPS is responsible for emergency and intermediate, but comprehensive planning and implementation are required for permanent solutions. The solutions to pollution are not only in temporary measures, but also in long-term planning.
There are some impactful solutions, such as the improvement of the public transport system, streamlining waste management, adopting renewable energy sources, awareness campaign. One of the innovative solutions is cloud shading, which washes out pollution by raining artificials. Trials have also been done in Haryana and Gurgaon, but its long-term impact is not clear yet.
These measures will only be effective when people and governments work together to put an effect on it. Lahore and Delhi are both facing a health crisis due to pollution. And this pollution is not only limited to Lahore and Delhi, there are many other places in the world where pollution has become the life of people.
But the racialized people of these cities and their culture and spirits are still alive. Lahore is the most polluted city in the world. Despite their everyday struggles, people there cherish their heritage with small joys.
Delhi is also not doing well, where pollution not only affects physical health, but also affects mental well-being. This is a walk-up call for both cities. We all have to work together to control pollution.
Small steps such as the use of renewable energy and the improvement of waste management can make a difference.
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