Budding Journalists get together in Dhenkanal to understand AQLI

According to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), residents of Dhenkanal could live about 2.9 years longer if World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were met. This, along with other insightful details, was shared in a workshop organized by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC-India) in Dhenkanal on 18th October 2019. Dhenkanal has Angul and Talcher in its close vicinity, both of which are listed as non-attainment cities concerning ambient air quality under the National Clean Air Programme.

Sharing hisinsights on the impact of air pollution on human health, Dr. JagadanandaTripathy, MD, State Executive Body Member Odisha Medical Services Authority(OMSA), said “Air pollution and human life expectancy are inverselyproportional. Industrial emission, vehicular pollution and particulate matteremission due to mining activities in Angul and Talcher industrial belt are havingtheir toll on the life expectancy of residents in Dhenkanal. There is a massiveincrease in cardiovascular diseases in the district in the last decade.Exposure to polluted air has both short- and long-term negative impacts onhuman health.”

Talking about howresidents can play an active role in curbing air pollution during the workshop,Mr. Nirada Nanda, secretary of city-based civil society organization NAMI said,“Awareness is key to the war against air pollution. Increased pollutionliteracy will exert pressure on both policymakers and industries to enhance airquality”

Talking about thesteps taken by the local administration, Mr. Bhabesh Kumar Nayak, ADM,Dhenkanal told, ‘’We are aware of the grim situation and districtadministration is taking all necessary steps to keep air pollution undercontrol. We are planning for some awareness camps regarding this at differentschools and colleges. Along with, the district administration is on its toe tocurb vehicular pollution and pollution caused due to construction anddemolition.’’

The workshop,meant to raise awareness about the impact of pollution on human health, wasattended by more than 80 journalism students and representatives from civilsociety. All the participants were handed over a city-specific AQLI handout forincreasing their awareness.

AQLI FACT SHEET FOR DHENKANAL