More to the recent days’ news, Lahore has scored an Air Quality Index, AQI of 1900, which is very much higher than the perilous AQI level showing that the pollution menace is not only a problem in Lahore but across the whole of the region as well. This unprecedented rise has enraged and polarized Pakistan and India as both the countries are suffering from the worst effects of air pollution. Though, it should be noted that it is important not to find out who is to blame in such hostile environmental occurrences but it becomes the responsibility of all people and stakeholders to find ways on how to curb such a problem.
Brief Review and Analysis of AQI
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is widely accepted in measuring the quality state of air and the possible effects on health of any people around the world. AQI values above 300 are considered hazardous, meaning that all members of the society are likely to suffer from increased severity of health impacts. When Lahore reached an AQI of 1900, what was being revealed was not just a polluted public domain of the city, but a lack of effective environmental management. The city has historically had weak air quality standards especially during the winter season because the bad weather layer pollutes the air zones near the ground.
The immediate health effects of such high AQI as reported are quite mirage of the study area. It is increasingly postulated that residents may develop respiratory ailments, cardiovascular ailments, and may die at an earlier age. More so, disabled, children, elderly and other sensitive groups are among those that will be affected most by the effects of green house gases.
Blame Game: Pakistan vs. India
As a result of this environmental disaster, Pakistani authorities have blamed India for polluting Lahore air with dust from crop burning in agriculture sector especially along the Indian Punjab border. This assertion is not far from the truth; crop burning is a well-known cause of particulate matter which can be blown across borders. But blaming the problem solely on India seems to lack an understanding of how air pollution is complex in Lahore.
Still, Pakistan also has its issues in industry emission, vehicle emission, and urban waste management problems. In fact, the smog crisis of Lahore has been caused by increased urbanization, deforestation, and the burning of wastes. Therefore, it should also be understood that actions from their side are equally important in order to enhance the quality of the surrounding air whether limiting neighboring actions or not.
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local sources of pollution
It hence appears smart for Lahore to focus on local sources that may contribute towards the pollution problem. The city’s population density has risen and vehicles are on the rise as a result and are one of the major sources of air pollution in most cities. Also, limited strict policies on emissions from industries have led to factories discharging toxic products freely into the atmosphere.
Dense populations burning of solid waste which has become a familiar scene in many neighborhoods also contributes to the pollutants. Some of the residents therefore set their waste ablaze, due to inefficiency of the waste management systems, which adds to air pollution. Preventing or mitigating these local sources is the only feasible way to achieve any significant enhancement of the quality of air in Lahore.
Shared Paths towards clean air
Instead of attributing the problem to one another and ascribe blame, both the nations need to appreciate that the only way they can solve the problem of transboundary pollution is if they work together. This could involve collaboration in research on the impact of crop burning or on the characteristic patterns of air pollution and then, information exchange of the measures being taken in each country to control these emissions, or cooperative efforts directed towards mutual reduction of emissions across the border.
To date, Pakistan needs to include the environmental policy at a national level. This includes spending on environmental friendly means of transport, increase enforcement of legal provisions on emission of factory pollutants, and support for environmentally friendly farming practices. Another factor that may also be of similar great importance is increasing public awareness of the negative effects of air pollution on human health as well as promoting community participation in proper disposal of wastes.
Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility
The highest AQI of 1900 recorded in Lahore is indicative of the fact that there is no better time to act on AQM. If the story of finger pointing between countries offers some relief for the moment, then the hope is in realizing that we are all stewards of the environment.
Action and commitment to reduces air pollution should therefore be a local, national and international agenda and responsibility. Transparency, workplace sustainability, and governance mean more than bringing healthy improvement to the entire society. It is action time; millions of people are at the precipice of losing their health forever. Let us turn this into a turning point in how humanity treats the environment and let us extend that responsibility to the rest of the world.
