Delhi’s Pollution Crisis: BJP vs AAP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the worsening air quality in Delhi. BJP leader Manoj Tiwari claims that the lifespan of Delhi residents has decreased by 10-12 years due to AAP’s governance. He argues that only a BJP-led government can effectively reduce pollution in the city.
Stubble Burning and Its Impact
Stubble burning in Punjab, particularly in Zirakpur, has been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution. Haryana’s former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda suggests that the government should purchase stubble from farmers instead of penalizing them. He emphasizes that stubble burning is a minor factor compared to pollution from factories and vehicles.
Supreme Court’s Involvement
The Supreme Court has addressed the issue of stubble burning, and Haryana Minister Anil Vij stated that actions will be taken based on the court’s orders. Punjab Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak acknowledges the court’s concerns and highlights efforts to provide farmers with machinery to reduce stubble burning.
Environmentalists’ Perspective
Environmentalists like Vimlendu Jha point out that while stubble burning contributes to pollution, local sources such as dust and vehicular emissions are significant factors. The Air Quality Index in Delhi has dropped to 280, categorizing it as ‘Poor.’
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is currently the ruling party at the national level.
AAP -: AAP stands for Aam Aadmi Party, a political party in India that is currently in power in Delhi. It was formed to fight against corruption and promote clean governance.
Pollution -: Pollution refers to harmful substances or products that are introduced into the environment, causing damage to air, water, or soil. In Delhi, air pollution is a major concern, affecting people’s health.
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains like rice and wheat have been harvested. It is common in Punjab and contributes to air pollution.
Air Quality Index -: The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. A ‘Poor’ AQI means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Manoj Tiwari -: Manoj Tiwari is a politician and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is also known for his work as a singer and actor in the Bhojpuri film industry.
Bhupinder Singh Hooda -: Bhupinder Singh Hooda is a senior politician from the Indian National Congress party. He served as the Chief Minister of Haryana, a state in India, from 2005 to 2014.
Environmentalists -: Environmentalists are people who are concerned about protecting the environment and work towards reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.
