Clean air practical goal, not environmental aspiration: NGT Chairperson
Clean air practical goal, not environmental aspiration: NGT Chairperson
Shimla, Sept 7,
Clean air is a practical goal that can be achieved through dedicated efforts, proper planning and effective implementation on the ground, National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said on Monday.
Addressing the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards ceremony at Paryavaran Bhavan on the occasion of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, Justice Shrivastava said development and environmental protection should not be viewed as conflicting objectives.
“Ecology and economy can go together,” he said, stressing that the ultimate objective should be development while maintaining the quality of life.
Describing clean air as a fundamental need rather than an environmental luxury, the NGT Chairperson said the goal should be to ensure that children can play outdoors safely, elderly people can go for morning walks without fear of pollution and workers can perform their duties without pollution-related health risks.
He also pointed out that air pollution does not respect political or administrative boundaries and is caused by multiple sources, including vehicular and industrial emissions and construction and demolition waste.
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Justice Shrivastava highlighted the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), PRANA portal and Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan as important initiatives for monitoring and improving air quality. He stressed that technology and real-time monitoring must be complemented by behavioural change and greater environmental awareness among citizens.
In the awards, Lucknow topped the rankings among cities with a population of over 10 lakh, followed by Indore and Jabalpur in second and third positions, respectively.
The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan annually assesses 130 cities under the NCAP to encourage healthy competition and promote measures aimed at improving air quality.
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