INDIA'S DANGEROUS POLLUTION PROBLEM IS IN THE AIR: SHOULD BE ACTED UPON AS IF A 'SERIAL KILLER'?

The overall metrics to India have been spectacular in many ways in the last several years.

- PETER DASH

A view of India Gate as dense smog engulfs the area around Kartavya Path, New Delhi. (File photo)

GNP growth, even recently at 8 percent has been off the charts, especially this last quarter. But with this success can come environmental costs added to a less than green legacy of previous governments, compared to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led one, evermore giving priority to going green.So deep is this problem one could figuratively describe it as a "serial killer" on the loose stalking many neighbourhoods. One that needs to be given as much attention as the police would give a real serial murderer. But in this case it is can be named "Ripper Pollution" in some instances, "cutting" through lungs and other organs. But there is still time to fix this problem to lengthen lives and reduce its contribution to premature deaths.

Starkly, indeed Indians find themselves enveloped by dangerous smog and smoke too often. No wonder the public wishes bolder actions. One could say with the same “Make in India” commitment and brilliance, that sent the Chandray-aan-3 rocket to the moon in precision.

Still, unfortunately even with important union government progress according to IQair, India is ranked as having the fifth worst air quality in the whole world. There are in addition other serious issues deserving accelerated action, such as with marine conservation, climate change and biodiversity (species) protection.That is in order to protect both current and future generations from an irreversible, mass environmental emergency one day, knocking down incomes, jobs and health more widely.