Delhi Pollution: Breathless in capital, no respite from toxic air
NEW DELHI: Despite years of policy interventions, technological innovations and judicial directives, Delhi's air pollution crisis remains dire, posing severe health risks to the city residents and an enormous economic burden on them.
Recent data underscores the severity of the situation. An Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report by the University of Chicago reveals that Delhiites may lose up to 11.9 years of life expectancy because of prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels far exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended limits.
The health ramifications are profound.
A survey conducted in November last year indicated that 75% of families in Delhi-NCR have at least one member suffering from pollution-related ailments, such as persistent cough, asthma or headache. Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Medical professionals report a 20–25% increase in respiratory cases after Diwali, correlating with pollution peaks during the festival season.
Beyond health, the economic toll is staggering. Delhi's air pollution is estimated to cost the city approximately Rs 10,000 crore annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
The tourism sector suffers losses of around a staggering Rs 1,200 crore, while agricultural yields decline as a result of pollutant deposition, leading to further economic setbacks.
Over the past decade, both the Central and state governments have taken a series of measures to reverse this trend. But their efforts have yielded mixed results.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Following leopard attacks that left minor girl dead, woman injured in separate incidents, Gujarat village on edge
A week after a 9-year-old girl was allegedly dragged away and killed by a leopard, and three days after a 40-year-old woman was injured in another such attack, a village in Gujarat continues to be on edge with forest department teams of two other districts deployed in the area to locate the big cat. The officers from Banaskantha and Kevadia districts are also trying to ascertain if the attacks in Kolvan village of Sagbara taluka in Narmada district were carried out by the same animal or two different leopards. The village has seen multiple protests by residents, prompting the elected representatives to get involved in the matter. The forest department, meanwhile, has deployed trap cages and cameras and invited teams of experts to help catch the leopard. The first incident occurred on May 27, when the minor girl, Shreyal Vasava, was allegedly dragged from outside her house and mauled by a leopard. The second incident took place on Sunday when a woman, Bebi Vasava, was allegedly attacked by a leopard while she was sleeping in her hut in her farm. Though she was rescued by villagers who had arrived at the scene on hearing her screams, she suffered injuries on her hands and legs besides losing a part of her right ear. Following protests in Kolvan village, forest officials handed over a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased minor. Range Forest Officer (RFO) Sagbara Abhay Singh told The Indian Express, 'We have installed 10 trap cages and trap cameras, and also taken help of drone cameras. A special tranquilisation team from Banaskantha, which has helped rescue leopards that stray into revenue areas, has been roped in. We also have one specialist team from the zoo from Kevadia that is helping us understand the behaviour of the wild leopards…' Singh said the forest officials are first addressing the question if the two attacks have been carried out by the same leopard. Singh said, 'The first question is whether the two leopards are same or different. We are trying to ascertain the same by examining pug marks from 550 periphery areas and zeroing down on the routes that the leopard might have taken… We are hopeful that in the next couple of days, we will be able to rescue it.' Singh said since the girl and the woman were attacked within a space of two kilometers, it was likely that the leopard in both the cases is the same. 'The woman, who is the second victim, is also of a small build like the 9-year-old. In leopard attacks, the size of the victim is also of consequence. There is a big possibility that it could be the same leopard but we are trying to confirm this through examination and probe. We have been regularly shifting the cages to increase the chance of the leopard being trapped,' Singh added. Even though the forest department is confident of catching the leopard in a few days, the villagers don't share the optimism. Anil Valvi, the brother of Bebi, said, 'It has been over a month since the leopard attacks have increased in the area and a single person venturing out close to sunset is risky now … We all are scared. The forest department is setting up cages but leopards do not walk into traps these days. They must tranquilise and catch the leopard…' Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava, who visited Bebi on Tuesday, said a 'taskforce' should be formed to deal with the human-leopard conflict in the region. 'I will appeal to the government to form a special taskforce to tackle the problem of the leopard-human conflict. Now, more leopards are straying into the areas of human habitation from the forests and steps must be taken to resolve the problem,' said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Happiness curriculum in govt schools makes way for ‘Science of Living'
New Delhi: From Aug, classrooms in Delhi's govt schools will begin to feel very different. Children will learn not just equations and grammar but also how to breathe mindfully, take care of elders and disconnect from their screens. With the introduction of the new Science of Living curriculum, schools are set for a major shift in both spirit and structure. The curriculum, which educators say replaces Happiness curriculum programme introduced by the previous AAP govt, aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It was allocated Rs 1.5 crore in Delhi govt's budget. Rooted in ancient Indian knowledge systems, the curriculum integrates concepts like panch kosha (the five layers of human existence) and panch tantra with contemporary life skills. Students will engage in yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices, alongside lessons on emotional well-being, digital detox, moral values and caring for the elderly. While some educators believe it builds upon the foundations of Happiness curriculum, officials describe it as a more holistic evolution. A principal said, "Happiness curriculum focused on nurturing emotional well-being, mindfulness and self-awareness among students through activities like meditation, storytelling and reflective conversations. Science of Living aims to offer a holistic life skills education grounded in scientific, ethical and philosophical principles. " The principal added, "The focus will shift from just emotional wellness to developing a balanced personality equipped with values, discipline, emotional intelligence, decision-making and resilience." The focus spans a wide spectrum of teachings. "The curriculum will also introduce lessons on emotional resilience and the importance of digital detox—both highly pertinent in an age where technology often overwhelms personal space and well-being," an official said. Emotional intelligence is at the heart of this initiative, with the aim to teach students how to understand their own emotions, navigate the complexities of relationships and develop a healthy, balanced outlook on life. It also stresses the importance of resilience in the face of life's inevitable ups and downs, a skill set that is often overlooked in traditional education systems. The programme will incorporate real-world engagement, encouraging students to actively participate in initiatives such as the Yamuna cleaning campaign. It will use a range of creative tools, including field visits, puppet theatre and documentary screenings. Students will also be introduced to socially relevant themes like gender equity and respect for womanhood. Each one-hour session will be conducted twice a month, with a 15-day gap between them. One of the underlying principles is to encourage a reconnection with traditional knowledge. "By engaging with these ancient teachings, students are not only learning history but also applying its wisdom in their daily lives. This approach is perfectly aligned with the goals of NEP 2020, which advocates an education system that nurtures well-rounded individuals who can think critically and contribute meaningfully to society," the official said. What sets this programme apart is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students will participate in activities that are designed to make them live the lessons. "The vision is to help students evolve into emotionally intelligent, self-aware individuals who are equipped with the skills to lead fulfilling and balanced lives," the official said.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Better ambient air quality this year in Lucknow, yet not good enough, says IITR report
Though the city has observed better ambient air quality this year as compared to the previous year's pre-monsoon report, it continued to be above the permissible limits of NAAQS despite implementing air pollution control measures in the city such as enforcement of BS-VI compliant vehicles, and promotion of CNG and e-vehicles. This was highlighted in the 'Assessment of Ambient Air Quality of Lucknow City Pre-Monsoon 2025' report released by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR) on Wednesday. The particulate matter (PM) concentrations were observed from pre-monsoon 2024 to pre-monsoon 2025. The PM10 concentrations decreased by 9.8%, 14.6%, and 4.9% while PM2.5 concentrations declined by 13.6%, 17.2%, and 17.4% in residential, commercial, and industrial areas, respectively. However, they exceeded the NAAQS limits -- 100 for PM10 and 60 for PM2.5. The PM10 levels remained relatively stable at Aliganj and Vikas Nagar, while Indira Nagar and Gomti Nagar showed an increase in 2024, followed by a decline in 2025. In commercial areas, including Charbagh, the PM levels fluctuated over five years but declined in 2025 as compared to 2024. Overall, commercial areas exhibited a sharp increase in PM10 levels from 2021 to 2024, with a slight decrease in 2025, though values remained above the NAAQS limit. In the industrial area (Amausi), PM10 levels showed a variable trend, increasing from 2023 to a peak in 2024, followed by a slight decline in 2025. The PM2.5 levels remained consistently above the permissible limit in all locations, but commercial and industrial areas consistently recorded higher pollution levels as compared to residential areas. The PM10 concentration was the highest in Gomti Nagar (residential) and Charbagh (commercial), while the PM2.5 levels were the highest in Gomti Nagar (residential) and Chowk (commercial) areas. While both the pollutants can be harmful for health, CSIR-IITR director Bhaskar Narayan said that PM 2.5 can be severe as it can get mixed with the bloodstream. 'This downward trend suggests an overall improvement in air quality across all zones. The observed reduction in the concentration of particulate matter may be due to relatively moderate atmosphere dryness conditions during the 2025 sampling period, as compared to the completely dry seasons in 2024,' the report said. The night time noise level trend in residential areas decreased slightly over the years, except in Aliganj, where a marginal increase was observed. In commercial-cum-traffic areas, noise levels showed an increasing trend, except for Alambagh, which showed a decline. In industrial areas, night time noise levels slightly decreased as compared to the previous year.
