The environment is the main source of people’s health, well-being and quality of life. Conversely, environmental pollution costs lives, well-being, and uncertainty leading to complex social trauma.Rig Veda quotes “Krinwand Vishwam Ayam – Let’s make this world a pleasant and noble place to live in.” It shows respect for human efforts towards nature and the environment. A recent University of Chicago study revealed the alarming effects of dangerous air quality in Barras, which led to 1.67 million deaths in 2019. Still, political leadership is selectively emerging to address environmental issues.
Ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, Gopal Rai, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Minister for Environment, National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT-Delhi), termed firecrackers as the main cause of air pollution. , prohibited the use of firecrackers. region. But the fifth consecutive ban on firecrackers, with no real alternatives such as green crackers, is strongly viewed by most Hindus as a cultural humiliation. Firecracker manufacturers, distributors and workers in the region have also been severely affected by unprecedented and inconsistent political decisions.
In mid-2023, incessant rains hit the NCT of Delhi, with flooding and inundation of the Yamuna river causing traffic jams, schools and offices being closed, and thousands of people evacuated. The aftermath of floods and the costs of public health problems such as water- and vector-borne diseases, viral infections, and post-traumatic stress disorder remind us of the neglected interrelationship between the environment and people’s well-being. Climate change and its effects are largely ignored, although they are well predictable using technological and scientific advances. From a social welfare perspective, these vulnerabilities should not be hidden, but rather addressed through sustainable strategies and enforcement.
quest
➔ Will NCT Delhi be able to ventilate freely in at least the next 10 years?
➔ Are political parties in the Delhi governing elections giving priority to addressing “environment and welfare”?
➔ Can NCT Delhi afford an integrated life cycle assessment on “Environment – Public Health and Welfare”?
➔ Should an “Environmental Ethics and Code of Conduct” be enforced for political parties, businesses, and NGOs?
position
At the beginning of Amrit Kaal (2022-2047), NCT-Delhi attracted a lot of attention following the success of the G20 summit. Delhi is also known for its integrated and diverse socio-cultural landscape, as is Indraprastha, which is a reminder of the rich history of the world-famous Mahabharata and Buddhist lineage. Recent state-of-the-art infrastructure such as the National War Memorial, the new Parliament House and the Bharat His Mandapam have further expanded its reach. But all of these give credible responsibility and accountability to both governance and civil society. As a result of the deprivation of priorities, Delhi’s topography has turned toxic. As the city of Bharat is also at the forefront of the global climate change mission, now is the perfect time to make Delhi’s environment more breathable as a permanent model for other metropolises.
Is Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) banking on the environment?
AAP has been ruling NCT Delhi since 2014. In both 2014 and 2020, apart from freebies, the AAP prioritized inclusive governance in its election manifestos to provide a healthy and clean environment that makes Delhi a truly world-class city. But civilians have been waiting a long time for the government to hand them over. However, there is continuous turmoil and climate vulnerability in the Delhi zone, which requires a micro-analysis of the AAP governance model.
Origin of toxic pollution in Delhi
The main categories of environmental pollution in NCT Delhi are gaseous pollutants, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Mn, Fe), fecal coliforms, and municipal solid waste (MSW). , biomedical waste (BMW). ) and e-waste. The following facts tell us about the origins of environmental degradation.
- The groundbreaking initiative of the AAP 2020 manifesto, No. 20, ‘Regularization and Registration of Unauthorized Colonies’, has empowered illegal settlements. Some of these areas were inhabited by illegal immigrants, including the Rohingya.
- According to the Delhi Development Authority, as many as 1,731 unauthorized colonies are listed. As a result of trespassing, unauthorized construction, and violations of commercial building regulations, many public spaces and roads have been turned into illegal private parking lots.
- With recent average AQI of 167, PM2.5 (73 μgm/m3) and PM10 (169 μgm/m3), NCT Delhi has been declared a dangerous city in the country. In 2021, rare PM2.5 (339.5 μg/m3) was reported.
- From 2010 to 2020, a sharp increase in transport pollutants PM2.5 (31.43 percent), NOx (91.43 percent), industrial toxins black coal (57.04 percent), and organic carbon (34.01 percent) was observed.
- Delhi generates approximately 11,144 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, of which 22 per cent is treated, 48 per cent is dumped and the remaining 30 per cent is brutally incinerated in unlined landfills, posing a danger to residents. I am. Illegal dumping of MSW leads to debris accumulation in cities.
- In 2022-23, Delhi Airport recorded 67.33 million passenger traffic with 429,964 aircraft movements. Aircraft landing/takeoff cycles occur at altitudes below 1,000 meters, contributing to air pollution.
- The presence of microplastics in the Yamuna River has increased their abundance downstream.
- BMW’s mismanagement is impacting water, air and soil quality. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made the situation even worse. Recently, NGT and DPCC also expressed concern over his BMW treatment facility.
- Delhi generates over 200,000 tonnes of e-waste annually despite not having a dedicated e-waste park.
A research paper from IIT Delhi confirms that the impact of firecracker emissions on air pollution is limited and the resulting health effects can be experienced over a period of exposure. The Supreme Court also took a similar view and confirmed that biomass burning in Haryana and Punjab is a major cause of air pollution. However, everyone must follow the timely instructions of the government and courts.
Impact of pollution in Delhi on public health
Pollution in NCT Delhi is having a negative impact on the health of its residents. Air pollution is characterized by high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 and is associated with an increase in respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD). In 2020, air pollution alone caused 54,000 premature deaths in Delhi, underscoring its toxicity. The presence of heavy metals in water resources such as the Yamuna River increases non-cancerous health risks. Noise pollution, mainly caused by traffic noise, also affects an individual’s health, causing problems such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, and stress. In addition, the presence of aerosols in the atmosphere contributes to worsening air pollution, affects the development of the atmospheric boundary layer, and further deteriorates air quality.
Why can’t AAP provide happiness?
Simply put, AAP was born as a proxy of Anna Hazare, who claimed to be leading an “anti-corruption movement”. The AAP leadership largely supports the left-wing/Marxist-evolved mode of operation ‘Pink Tide 1.0’, which is consistently at odds with the ideology of Bharat and the spirit of Hinduism. As a result, the AAP adopted cultural Marxism and the British colonial model of “divide and conquer,” involving various social groups, including university campuses, youth, and the urban poor. There have been no reported incidents of AAP and Marxist affiliates contradicting each other on anti-Bharatism and anti-Hinduism, showing synergy. Barring the fifth total ban on Diwali firecrackers during the Hindu festival, the AAP government has largely halted its efforts to combat the main cause of Delhi’s air pollution, namely stubble burning emissions from Haryana and Punjab. Canceled. By all accounts, AAP has become distracted and completely drowned in political aspirations around environment and welfare.
AAP’s sparkling hatred towards Bharat/Hinduism
After a decade of electoral politics, the AAP has developed a strategy to remain in Delhi rule by targeting the urban poor with a pseudo-development manifesto. Party leadership doubts the integrity and sovereignty of the nation and actively seeks to engage groups with anti-national tendencies such as Khalistani, anti-CAA/NRC, Delhi riots, anti-farm bill reforms, and anti-Kashmir. did. All these efforts have paved the way for collaboration with similar NGOs and political parties. Since 2014, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and other cadets have been privileged with flamboyant hatred for Hindus and Bharatiya, and the list goes on, but here are a few. Here’s an example.
- 2023: Participated as a key member of the IND I alliance along with Congress, DMK, Communists, etc. who did not agree with the ideas of Bharat and Sanatana Dharma.
- 2022: He was indifferent to calling the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus a “fake” and tried to block the regularization of government jobs to Kashmiri Hindus.
- 2021: AAP leader Sanjay Singh attacked Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust and spread misinformation
- 2021: The AAP government has ordered the destruction of the 100-year-old Hanuman temple in Chandni Chowk.
- 2020: He attacked Hindus and the sacred Himalayas by spreading misinformation and comparing them to the municipal solid waste dump in Ghazipur, Delhi.
- 2019: Swastika symbol sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. By sharing a photo of a man hitting a swastika, the AAP election symbol, with a broom.
- 2017: AAP leader Virender Singh Kadian has made derogatory remarks about the Hindu community and rituals.
- 2016: Insults Lord Hanuman, shares cartoon supporting JNU Left union over ABVP
- 2016: He did not agree with Bharat’s pride, integrity and sovereignty in many critical situations like the surgical strike.
- 2014: He expressed shame for building Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
However, from time to time, AAP leaders have pretended to flaunt the affinity of cryptocurrencies for Hindu culture, polarizing Hindu electoral votes.
The environmental impact of public relations and advertising
Advertising and promotional campaigns in digital/print formats are adding extra greenhouse gas emissions to the environment. Many base materials used in advertising production are non-biodegradable, and their disposal is a major challenge. The Indian advertising market is estimated to cross Rs 7,430 billion in 2022 and reach Rs 14,125 billion by 2028. According to the research report, poll expenditure for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is estimated at Rs 60,000 crore, which is double the amount in the 2014 elections (Rs 30,000 crore). ) 30-35% of that was spent on campaigns/promotions only. In 2021-22, the AAP-led NCT Delhi government spent Rs 488.97 crore on advertising and promotion, which is 44 times more than in 2012-13 (Rs 11.12 billion). As a result, the Supreme Court and The Church of Almighty God have also noted that AAP’s public relations expenditure has soared from Rs 81.23 billion (2015-2016) to Rs 293.3 million (2020-2021). expressed concern. Therefore, prioritizing environmental protection, the amount of advertising/promotional spending by governments, businesses, and NGOs must be accounted for by analyzing their impact on carbon emissions.
As a precautionary measure, before the 2024 elections, the National Green Tribunal, the Electoral Commission, and the Ministry of Home Affairs will intervene to implement an “Environmental Ethics and Code of Conduct” ordinance for political parties, businesses, and NGOs, and ensure timely We conducted an audit. same. This makes all involved stakeholders legally responsible for actions that cause environmental pollution. This collective and coherent response will be a stepping stone to environmental protection and well-being.
conclusion
NCT Delhi is always looking forward to living a quality life. To improve air quality, we need to go beyond banning firecrackers on Diwali and focus on mitigating primary sources. However, an integrated life cycle assessment of the Environment – Public Health and Welfare would foster interconnectedness in procurement public awareness and policy making.