Assam: Guwahati and other places in Assam fails to meet the National Air Quality Standards

ASSAM: Alarming news has emerged from the Pollution Control Board Assam as it reveals that five cities and towns in Assam, including Nalbari, Guwahati, Nagaon,Sivasagar,and Silchar have failed to meet national ambient air quality standards. This concerning revelation is part of a larger problem with 131 cities across India facing similar issues. Senior environment journalist Manoj Saikia has highlighted how severe this air quality crisis is for these urban centers.

Saikia states that air quality is comparatively better in the Upper Assam region than in Lower Assam. This distinction is due to the plentiful tree coverage present within Barak Valley and its surrounding hills from adjacent states, according to him. Nonetheless, it's imperative to address this matter with urgency through collaborative endeavors aimed at mitigating pollution levels as a whole.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, satisfactory air quality index levels are maintained in northeastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. However, despite this positive trend during October until March or April of each year Assam experiences a decline in its air quality which poses significant health risks for residents within the state.

A significant environmental concern highlighted by Global Forest Watch reveals that Assam has encountered a severe loss of 3,060 square kilometers of tree cover since the year 2001 till now- which is more than two times larger than Delhi. This rapid deforestation and urbanization have not only affected Assam but other northeastern states such as Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura who also witnessed considerable losses in their forested lands during this period.

The magnitude of deforestation highlights the crucial demand for sustainable environmental approaches and strict conservation strategies. Immediate actions must be taken to alleviate the harmful impacts of air pollution, deforestation, and urbanization in order to protect the welfare of inhabitants living within these areas while securing a healthier future for Assam as well as Northeast India region altogether.

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