Citizens reflect on the growing challenge of polluted air in Jammu

University of Chicago’s Air Quality LifeIndex (AQLI) has found that residents inJammu maybe losing upto 4 years of their lives because of breathing pollutedair. An awareness workshop in this regard was conducted by EPIC India inassociation with the Jammu University’s Environment Science Department in Jammuon 3rd February 2020. The workshop was attended by the Hon. Vice-ChancellorProf. M. K. Dhar & other senior faculty members of the Jammu University.

Addressing participants on the occasion, Prof.M. K. Dhar, Hon. Vice-Chancellor, Jammu University, said, “Citizens alwayswonder, how they can contribute to solving a problem. All of us must take activeinitiatives to talk, discuss and look for solutions to maintaining clean airfor our beautiful city. Platforms like AQLI are indicators of where we are& what more can we do.”

Sharing his insights on the impact of airpollution on human health, award-winning microbiologist & a seniorconsultant at the city’s Government Medical College, Dr. Sandeep Dogra said,“Jammu’s air quality has been a concern for a long time & its impact onhuman health has been unsettling. Cases of respiratory illnesses and otherrelated disorders have risen steadily in the past few years. This shows thesort of impact that bad air quality has been having on the citizens here.”

Talking about how civil society can play anactive role in curbing air pollution, senior journalist Mr. Pradeep Dutta said,“Jammu needs to take the lead in addressing the issue of air pollutioneffectively. Unfortunately in strife-torn Jammu And Kashmir, journalists failto come out of “two killed -three injured syndrome. Their focus is only storiesdirectly or indirectly related to traditional or non-traditional securityissues. There is hardly any space for issues related to health, environment,wild-life, ecology or such social issues. Urbanization is happening at a rapidpace in Jammu and it will bring with it problems like air pollution. Citizensand the local media, need to actively get involved in the process of vocallycommunicating these concerns and working with the administration to look forsolutions. ”

The workshop, meant to raise awareness aboutthe impact of pollution on human health, was attended by more than 80participants, consisting of environmental science students from the Departmentof Environment Science, Jammu University, faculty members, representatives fromlocal NGOs & city journalists.Allthe participants were handed over a city-specific AQLI handout for increasingtheir awareness.

AQLI FACT SHEET FOR JAMMU