Smog Tales: Patna
Through our campaign Smog Tales: Know your city and what you breathe, iFOREST takes the conversation on air pollution from the capital city of Delhi to smaller cities, to improve public awareness on the data trend. Our pollution fact sheet on Patna dives into air pollution trends, concentration levels, when particulate matter peaks and how Patna rivals Delhi.
Patna Air Pollution Webinar
This webinar brought in city experts from governance, healthcare, media and academia to unpack the gravity of the pollution challenge in Patna district.
Smog Tales: Guwahati
In 2023, Guwahati ranked as the world’s second most polluted city. Our research based on 2023 data shows that PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations across the city are up to twice the permissible limits, with alarming peaks during evening hours. Seasonal variations show a 78% spike in PM2.5 levels during winter, emphasising the need for targeted seasonal interventions.
Guwahati Air Pollution Webinar
This webinar brought in local experts from Guwahati such as the Member Secretary – Pollution Control Board, Assam, the Bicycle Mayor of the city, as well as representatives from AIIMS Guwahati, NIT Silchar and National Clean Air Programme.
Smog Tales: Meerut
Meerut, a rapidly industrialising city, is seeing worrying levels of air pollution. The PM2.5 concentration levels were twice the permissible levels by NAAQS, whereas PM10 was around thrice the permissible levels. Ozone concentration has increased by 40% since 2020. According to the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2023, a programme by the MoEFCC that ranks cities on the basis of their air quality, Varanasi (2022), Agra and Moradabad (2023) topped as model cities for curbing pollution in recent years. Meerut, a stone’s throw away, far exceeds its neighbours for PM 10 concentration levels.
Meerut Air Pollution Webinar
This webinar brought in local experts from Meerut such as environmentalist and three-time Lok Sabha MP from Meerut Shri Rajendra Agrawal, Swachh Bharat UP ambassador Smt. Madhu Vats, Dr. Kirpa Ram, associate professor from Banaras Hindu University as well as Dr. Ankita Mandal, Associate Professor, Dept of Respiratory Diseases, LRNM, Meerut.
Smog Tales: Baddi
Himachal Pradesh’s rapidly industrializing city, Baddi, which has a population of over 57,000 residents, has only one continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station. The PM2.5 concentration levels is 1.5 times above the annual average standard of 40 μg/m3 as provided by CPCB. The PM10 concentration level was 2.2 times above the annual average standard of 60 μg/m3 as provided by CPCB. Of all the nine cities in Himachal Pradesh, where Air Quality Index (AQI) is monitored, Baddi city has the highest AQI, making it the most polluted city in the state, particularly during winters.
Baddi Air Pollution Webinar
The webinar saw the participation of experts who have a wealth of experience in governance, human rights and healthcare, working across Himachal Pradesh. The speakers were Mr. Ranbeer Singh, Executive Officer, Municipal Corporation, Baddi, Mr. Vineet Singh, Consultant A in CPCB, National Clean Air Programme, Baddi, Mr. Hardeep Singh Bawa, Joint Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh’s environment action group, Him Parivesh, and Dr. Rajesh Kumar, former Head of Department at Community Medicine and School of Public Health at PGIMER Chandigarh, who is currently adjunct faculty MD University Institute of Public Health Sciences, Rohtak. The insightful discussion was moderated by Dr. Pratima Singh, Director of air pollution and waste management, iFOREST.
Smog Tales: Bhiwadi
Bhiwadi has emerged as the most polluted city in the state of Rajasthan, with air quality far exceeding permissible limits. Its rapidly expanding industrial zones, particularly the RIICO Industrial Area, along with unregulated construction and transportation emissions, contribute heavily to its deteriorating air quality. The city’s residents face alarming health risks from prolonged exposure to these high pollution levels, making urgent action indispensable
Bhiwadi Air Pollution Webinar
Smog Tales: Chandigarh
Chandigarh, the planned capital city of both Punjab and Haryana, like other North Indian cities experiences dangerously bad air quality levels. Our report presents data collected from Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) that tell the story of rising particulate matter in the city, leading to increased health risks for the 12 million residents. An emphasis on targeted mitigation measures from policymakers, researchers, and residents is crucial to drive collective action for cleaner air.