Even though the pollution levels in six major cities plummeted during the initial phase of the lockdown, it is on the rise again as the country gradually opens up, a recent study has revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), PM 2.5 levels across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru dropped by a phenomenal 45-88 percent during the pandemic-induced lockdown period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The analysis, however, found that the \u201cpollution registered a comeback\u201d as the nation opened up pursuant to lockdown 4.0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the six cities, there was a two-six times increase in PM 2.5 levels during lockdown 4.0,\u201d said the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the findings, the national capital saw the steepest rise of four to eight times, as compared to two to six times in other cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initial decrease in pollution could be attributed to no industrial activity, reduced on-road traffic and temporary halt on construction activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunita Narain, Director General of Centre for Science and Environment said that the analysis showed the nation needed an intervention at such a massive scale to make skies blue and our air and lungs clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt tells us that there should be no question, therefore, on the key sources of air pollution in our country: emissions from vehicles and industry,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CSE also presented a charter of environmental demands to ensure a better, cleaner and more sustainable environment, life and air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It stated that reducing pollution from heavy-duty vehicles, switching to clean vehicles, using clean power and providing green economic stimulus were a few strategies which could help retain the healthy air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Centre`s executive director Anumita Roychowdhury said the nation must ensure that pollution levels do not go back to `normal` \u2013 what they were before the lockdown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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