Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Oct 17: Under the 'Shuddha Gaali' project, Anti-Pollution Driver (APD) Foundation, an NGO, in association with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), has set up four stations across the city to monitor air quality before and after Deepavali festival.
The assessment of air quality started on Monday, October 16.
"We will assess the air quality on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday," said Abdullah A Rehman, the founder of APD Foundation. There is break for the testing on Wednesday, being festival day.
"Of late, many people are celebrating Deepavali without firecrackers considering the ill effects crackers on environment and health of the people. To motivate people to continue this trend, the foundation has planned three projects for the people. Firstly an eco-friendly Deepavali celebration along with KSPCB that was held at Bearys Public School on Monday," he added.
“The second project is to assess the air quality to show the impact of firecrackers on environment. This project will be supported by St George's Homeopathy. We have started testing the air quality levels in four residential locations for two days starting from Monday. Later, on Thursday and Friday, air quality will be tested at the same locations," he said.
The report of the air quality assessment will be submitted to the district administration, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and department of forest and environment, he informed.
In addition, the APD Foundation will also conduct an advocacy drive, he said.
"We will be submitting a memorandum to the district commissioner appealing him to take five problems, child labour, untoward incidents, air and noise pollution, effect on mental health and improper disposal, which are caused by fireworks, into consideration and take appropriate steps,” he informed.