AP should be cautious on pollution: Expert

Vijayawada: The newly formed state of Andhra Pradesh cannot afford to be complacent in protecting the environment keeping in view the alarming position of the National Capital Region and Delhi which had become the world’s most polluted region, stated Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of New Delhi-based Centre for Science Environment.

Addressing the workshop on ‘Clean Air Action Plan for non-attainment cities of AP’ jointly organised by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Centre for Science and Environment here on Monday, Anumita warned that the state should be cautious during the winter season as the pollution might reach its peak.

Instead of inaugurating the workshop by lighting the traditional lamp, Anumita and Meka Siva Reddy, joint chief environment engineer of AP Pollution Control Board and others, announced inauguration by watering a plant to take the point home.

Anumita said that Delhi and the National Capital Region which include four State governments became the worst polluted regions. “It is high time we formed strategies to improve the situation by controlling the industrial pollution among others,” she added. She underlined the importance of alternative energy sources instead of solely depending upon the coal-based units for power generation.

Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board joint chief environment engineer Dr B Madhusudan Reddy said, ”We have to tackle four types of pollution including industrial pollution, emission of carbon monoxide from automobiles, pesticides residue and explosion of population which produce lot of garbage.”

He warned that air pollution would directly enter the body causing severe damage to the health of humans.  He said the cities in the State are being monitored for pollution through 64 stations.

Dr Reddy said that various government departments including the RTA, the police, R&B, APPCB, civil supplies and others should closely work together to control pollution.

Earlier, Meka Siva Reddy, joint chief environment engineer of APPCB, welcoming the guests, stated that 91 per cent of the population all over the world was living in polluted environment. He underlined the importance of taking urgent initiatives to bring the situation under control.