Has Lockdown Improved the Quality of Air and Rivers? Experts Explain!

Many countries across the globe have imposed a lockdown in order to curb the coronavirus outbreak. Similarly, India is set to remain under a complete lockdown till May 3rd. Surprisingly, the lockdown has improved the quality of air and water in India. This has enabled people to stay away from pollution and celebrate Earth Day. 

India has been trying to battle pollution for decades. Of the most polluted cities in the world, 21 out of 30 were in India in 2019. According to a report published by Global Alliance of health and pollution in December 2019, India recorded the most number of pollution related deaths in the world with more than 2 million people dying every year. 

The decrease in pollution levels has been heartening for a lot of citizens. On march 25th, the average Particulate Matter (PM) levels decreased by 22% according to air pollution data analyzed by the center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Decrease in vehicular traffic is attributed to be the reason behind the decline in air pollution levels. 

Photos of crystal-clear waters of the Ganges, One of India’s longest and holiest rivers (for Hindus), were shared extensively on social media. The water was deemed to be fit for drinking and bathing in some areas, by India’s nodal pollution monitoring body. 

A recent study conducted by the Delhi Pollution Control Board denoted that the quality of Yamuna river has tremendously improved during the Lockdown. 

However, experts suggest that these changes could be short-lived.  

“The lockdown has clearly told us what the main sources of pollution are. Effluents are forced into our river bodies, and that is major reason why our rivers are black. How was a lockdown for just a few weeks able to achieve what governments could not for decades?”, Vimlendu Jha, an environmentalist and founder of Swechha, a non-governmental organization helping youth fight climate change, told India Today.

Picture Courtesy: CNN News 18