Vanishing lakes linked to soaring temperatures

Gowlipura: Eminent environmentalist Prof K Purushotham Reddy blamed the vanishing city lakes and deforestation for the rise in city's temperature each year for the last few years.

While addressing school children on the occasion of 'World Environment Day' in Gowlipura here on Thursday, he said that thousands of lakes within the city gave a 'cooling effect' and contained the impact of the heat generated during summers.

While referring to the names with prefixes and suffixes like Bagh which now inhabit in the form of colonies under these names, he recalled that these areas comprised of small forests which not only balanced the environment, but also maintained biodiversity in the area.

Prof Reddy criticised various government bodies for not learning any lesson from the India's biggest industrial disaster, the 'Bhopal gas tragedy.' He called upon the citizens to put pressure on the government for the enforcement of different environment related laws. "Besides creating awareness, the citizens should also put pressure on the government in this endeavour," he added.

At the national level, he blamed the adulterated petrol and diesel for causing air pollution, besides irresponsible disposal of the waste like plastic by burning it.

Prof Reddy said that air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer and other diseases, mainly respiratory and heart diseases. Each year, the day focuses on a particular theme and the theme for this year 'Beat Air Pollution', which is a call to action to combat the global crisis.

Furthermore, Reddy said that air pollution was a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. While some air pollutants were poisonous, inhaling them could increase the chances of developing severe health problems, he added. He said that people with chronic heart and lung diseases, older adults and children were at a greater risk from air pollution.

Dr Raj Narayan Mudiraj, president Telangana Citizens Council (TCC) (NGO), which organised the event, said that the TCC organised awareness campaign on air pollution preventive measures on the occasion of 'World Environment Day' at Gowlipura Playgrounds, Old City.

He also emphasised on the issue and said that increased pollution could lead to increase in Asthma attacks. He suggested that everyone use face masks when outdoor, ventilate the kitchen, bathroom, use air-purifier and take steam bath daily.

Others who spoke on this occasion were Dr K P Hemanth Kumar, Warthpal Arya, a freedom fighter, Durgesh Lingam Goud, secretary and correspondent of Saraswatha Academy, Mohammad Abrar Ahmed, Janakiram, a social worker, Mamidi Gopi, TPCC State Secretary, and Pandit Vishesh Sharma. The TCC members administered a 'pledge' by the students, youth and educationists.