Activist links 'poor' air quality to land sales and 'lack of governance' in Goa

MARGAO
Social activist Dr Jorson Fernandes has said that Panaji’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has been labelled as poor as per the new satellite-based assessment by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
Saying that Goa was earlier known for its clean air under the ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ category, Dr Jorson said the picture is changing now. “Panaji, or overall Goa for that matter, is no longer among India’s 20 best cities for air quality or the least polluted cities in India. There are 10 least polluted cities in India, but none of these meet the WHO’s recommended air quality standards. This means that even the best air in India (Aizawl, Gangtok, Raichur, Koppal, Gadag, Thiruvananthapuram, Madikeri, Vijayapura, Satna, Chamarajanagar) isn’t truly ‘clean’ by global benchmarks, as even poor air quality can lead to health problems,” he said.
He said it is time to act, and act fast, insisting that Goa needs modern, accurate air quality monitoring devices to obtain accurate air-quality data monitoring several environmental parameters.
“There is a need to move to a broader airshed-based governance framework that recognises how pollution travels across districts and state borders. Presently, we are exposed to air quality that does not meet the strictest international safety standards. Nearly 60 per cent of India’s 749 districts exceed even the country’s own, more lenient NAAQS norms. Remember that clean air improves health and lifestyle,” he said.
“Panaji’s air quality has been termed poor, with an average of 100 for November due to factors mainly like rapid urbanisation, vehicle emissions, construction and weather conditions. It is rapid urbanisation that is also straining the environment, seeing Goa experience high Air Quality Index levels. It is hazardous for health. Air quality between 101 and 150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups like active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases,” he added.
Instead of tackling the hazardous health issue, Dr Jorson said the Government is happily selling Goan land to outsiders at abnormal prices, which are outside the reach of an average Goan. “To accommodate the big monetary ambitions, the rulers have had no scruples in introducing new legislations to favour our new colonisers. Delhi is the city which has been found to be most polluted of all states and union territories, with persistently high PM 2.5 levels across India due to baseline emissions, which remain the core problem,” he said.
“Recent studies have linked air pollution exposure to impaired cognitive function and neurological diseases. The pollutants can even lead to cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Children exposed to pollutants can exhibit lower IQ scores and impaired memory, which is an indication of how it impacts long-term brain development,” he added.