Representational picture. PHOTO: REUTERS
PESHAWAR: As Covid-19 brings financial exercise and life to a near-halt, it seems that the surroundings is exhibiting indicators of enchancment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
In keeping with environmental specialists, a notable drop in air air pollution over the province is seen following the coronavirus lockdown. “For the first time in decades, the environment seems to be recovering from the constant pollution. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) air quality index has improved,” claimed one professional.
With nonessential companies closed after the administration issued the stay-home orders in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which, to this point, has greater than 35 confirmed instances, the province witnessed a big drop in air air pollution. The World Well being Group (WHO) has estimated that round 7 million folks die yearly from publicity to tremendous particles in polluted air.
In keeping with the WHO, Peshawar emerged as one of the vital polluted cities on this planet in 2016. In its report, the specialised company of the United Nations chargeable for worldwide public well being acknowledged: “Of the 3,000 cities in the WHO’s air quality database, the most polluted at the time of measurement was Onitsha, a fast-growing city in Nigeria followed by Peshawar.” The worldwide well being group collected the info between 2011-2015.
The current enchancment within the air high quality was not solely felt but additionally celebrated on social media. In a put up on Twitter, Najiullah Khattak stated: “The Air Quality Index (AQI) has dropped below 50 showing healthy air quality. This means our planet is breathing again after a very long time. Positive Signs.”
For too lengthy, Peshawar’s air high quality index has hoovered within the ‘unhealthy’ zone, crossing what specialists have referred to as the pink line. “The improvement in air quality is clearly due to the reduced traffic and human activity in Peshawar,” claimed Dr Bashir Ahmad, who heads the provincial Environmental Safety Company.
In keeping with Wasim Khalil, SSP Site visitors Police, round 700,000 autos function in Peshawar each day. Khalil stated this quantity consists of 85,000 rickshaws, 325,980 bikes, 127,000 autos, 5,700 taxis, 263 buses, 1,033 ambulances, and 30,000 different small autos. All of those autos, he stated, contribute to the air pollution within the provincial capital.
With the unfold of coronavirus, industries everywhere in the world appear to be shutting down. Environmental specialists imagine decreased industrial emissions are quickly slashing air air pollution ranges around the globe. Cities beneath strict lockdown appear to be exhibiting the most important drop in air pollution ranges.
Commenting on the problem, Muhammad Irshad, Chief Analyst, Environmental Safety Company, stated the principle trigger for air pollution in Peshawar is smoke. “Higher levels of pollution dramatically increases the number of premature deaths among children under five and adults over 70,” Irshad cautioned.
In keeping with specialists, the AQI is an index for reporting air high quality each day.
The aim of the AQI is to assist folks understand how the native air high quality impacts their well being. The upper the AQI worth, the higher the extent of air air pollution, and the higher the well being considerations.
Peshawar on most days has crossed the pink line on the AQI with readings above 100, which, in response to well being specialists, could cause respiratory difficulties in folks with lung illness like bronchial asthma, and discomfort to folks with coronary heart illness, kids and older adults.
Shortly after the orders by the provincial authorities to scale back public exercise, the AQI quantity plunged to 50, which is taken into account nearly as good by specialists.
Enhancing the surroundings is on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s long-to-do-list. Nonetheless main the federal government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, his social gathering plans to make sure the province adopts environment-friendly insurance policies.
“We have installed meters to measure air quality at ten locations in Peshawar,” claimed Zia Ullah Khan Bangash, Advisor to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on science and know-how.
Revealed in The Categorical Tribune, March 25th, 2020.
