Dehradun's AQI turns 'poor'

POLLUTION NOT LIMITED TO PLAINS

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

As Delhi virtually disappears behind its annual smog and toxic air chokes its residents, many heading for a sojourn in Dehradun seeking clean air may have to think twice.

In the past two days, the Air Quality Index in Dehradun, nested in the mountain ranges of the Himalaya, slipped into the 'poor' category -- indicating that pollution is not limited to the plains.

According to experts, the main reasons for the increasing pollution in Dehradun include the growing volume of vehicular traffic and the burning of waste. In addition, forest fires are also considered a major contributor to air pollution.

Having a population of nearly 17 lakh, Dehradun serves as Uttarakhand's winter capital. The city spread across 3,088 sq km is a favoured tourist destination as it attracts tourists, pilgrims and enthusiasts from various walks of life to its serene environs.

Professor Vijay Shridhar, head of the pollution monitoring center at Doon University, the city's real-time AQI Wednesday was 267, while the average AQI reached 291.

He stated that this situation falls between 'polluted' and 'severely polluted'.

The AQI shows some improvement during the day due to air movement, but at night it crosses 300, Shridhar said, adding that while the situation in Dehradun is not yet like Delhi, it cannot be considered satisfactory either.