Figure 1 Device Installed at one of the locations
Every year Delhi faces a severe pollution problem once Diwali is around the corner and is quite prevalent throughout winters. Seeing the severity, Environics Trust on 15th December 2020, ran a campaign on Dust and Air Pollution Campaign in the Neb Sarai area. The campaign was run between 3 pm to 5 pm. The aim of this campaign is to understand the level of pollution being generated in the area not just due to winters but other factors as well since Neb Sarai is quite a busy road.
Under this campaign, we installed five air pollution monitoring devices in different locations. This device will help us to monitor PM 2.1, PM 2.5, and PM 2.10 along with dust level, humidity, and temperature around the area. After the installation we did collect some data and recorded a stark difference, some areas had pollution levels at (Air quality index: AQI)163, and some areas had the pollution level (Air quality index: AQI) 280 which is quite high. The organization aims to collect data on a regular basis mainly in the morning and evening hours, as these are the peak hours for regular vehicle movement and other activities.
Figure 2: Conversation with people around
In the process of installing the device and collecting the data, the team also talked to a few people around to know their level of understanding regarding the pollution in Delhi, the reasons behind and what do they think can be done to tackle the issue. The conversation helped to not only understand but also to spread more awareness about the topic, the team explained about the devices installed, the purpose of it, and asked a few questions from the people. People equally took an interest to understand and know more about the issue and the device. Some people even asked interesting questions mainly related to the device as to what all aspects it is going to cover. The whole conversation also helped the team to get some valuable inputs from the people. One of them suggested that we should also install these devices inside the colonies in the area, as there is no running traffic and other activities taking place, it will help us to understand and have a comparative study. On asking about how collectively we can tackle this issue, most of them were quite aware and gave their inputs, one of them mentioned that we on our own need to be conscious and make conscious decisions, like switching off the engine of our vehicle, the Neb Sarai road does see the presence of dust, a regular sprinkling of water can help settle the dust. However, there were few people who were not aware of other ways which increase the level of pollution, like cooking, burning of wood, or even lighting an essence stick at home, after having a conversation with our team they understood the other aspects as well and gave a word of keeping the factors in mind which increases the pollution and take valuable steps to reduce it.
The campaign had a good start with installing the device, collecting the data, and talking to people. With this start, Environics Trust aims to spread more awareness among the people with the data collected, word of mouth, and taking the possible measures.
Please click on the link below to watch the videos:
https://fb.watch/2pzqtcUQOw/, https://fb.watch/2pztJmKB1h/ https://fb.watch/2pzunSUXCl/,
By: Shefali Sharan
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