he root cause of this lies in the manner with which we treat our environment. While on one hand, India is on a rapid growth path, on the other hand, rapid industrialisation, poor waste management, and increasing vehicle density are some of the factors that lead to environmental deterioration. Not only is pollution taking lives, but also endangering our future generations, their growth, and sustainable development.
According to a report*, nearly 1.1 million people die prematurely every year in India due to air pollution, making it one of the deadliest countries in terms of air quality.
The worst; however, is impending. The alarming pace at which pollution is increasing will result in far greater damage in the years to come. The number of people who will be affected is only going to increase. It can be summed up in this Native-American saying: “When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, we will realise that we cannot eat money.â€
The smog-laden skies and the burning eyes make it imperative to seriously take note of the increasing pollution. It might take years, a lot of resources and awareness, but doing our bit to improve the situation is in our control. The skies won’t clear in a day, however, each and every one of us has to do his bit to work towards that goal.
