Air pollution reduced remarkably in the capital for lockdown
Coronavirus pandemic has spread worldwide. The number of victims is increasing daily. Procession of death is becoming longer daily. Lockdown is going on in almost all the affected countries. All are advised not to come out from the house to keep themselves healthy. Mills, factories, industrial establishments, school and colleges are closed.. People are now living captive lives in their homes.
Amid all bad news around the world, there have been some positive changes in the nature due to corona influence. Not long ago, Dhaka was the most polluted city in among the Mega cities around the world. But the ongoing lockdown has brought a sudden change. It is seen in the site of IQ Air- Air Visual - which works on the list of Air Pollution worldwide - has brought down Dhaka to number 21 in the index. India's Ghaziabad city has risen in the first place by replacing Dhaka.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths worldwide in one year. Air pollution is especially responsible for increasing mortality rate from heart disease, cancer and respiratory infections. The policies put forth by the WHO on air pollution are not properly followed in every country and the health risks of the people in those countries are high.
As a result of the lockdown, there has been a decrease in toxic smoke and wastes of the mills- factories as well as it have help reduce vehicle smoke. Noise pollution has also been reduced due to the closure of vehicles. In the city where everyone used to rise from sleep at the harsh sound of vehicles now they are awakening with the sweet songs of the bird. People in this city have forgotten that there is a bird in this city but now the city people’s love for nature has returned.
Due to lockdown not only in Dhaka but environmental improvement has also been observed in the cities of India and Pakistan. Air pollution was at its worst in the South Asian countries – among the most 30 Mega cities at the top, 27 belong to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There are about 23 cities of India among the 27. Curfew has been going on all over India for some time to stop the spread of corona. And as a result, the pollution levels of some of their cities including Delhi and Mumbai have dropped dramatically. As a result, environmentalists from that country have learned from Corona situation and are asking the government to take some lessons to reduce air pollution in the country which in turn reduces the level of environmental pollution.
Although the city of Dhaka has improved in the index of air pollution, the situation of air pollution as a whole has not improved much. According to a report from the US Air Quality Index, Bangladesh was the top country for air pollution followed by Pakistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and India respectively. However, if the lockdown lasts for a few more days and steps are taken, it is expected that the level of air pollution will be reduced and the environment will return to balance.
Lockdown action against corona spread has brought about a number of positive environmental changes throughout the world. Various wild lives including deer has been spotted walking on public roads in various places. As there are no tourists on the Indian sea coasts, millions of turtles flocked to lay eggs. Thirty years later pink colored dolphins have even been found on the beaches of Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh. In the absence of tourists on the beaches of Cox's Bazaar the sand dunes are being trapped in the sand.
The level of global air pollution is increasing day by day – lesson should be taken from the corona pandemic to prevent the coming climatic catastrophe. In the meantime, let nature make itself more green so that we do not turn our eyes back - or go back to the old culture of pollution.