‘Government agencies, citizens must work together, find solutions’

A lot needs to be done to protect our environment. What is worrying is that Bengaluru environment is facing multiple challenges, including air pollution and garbage crisis. The need of the hour is to sensitise everyone on the increasing levels of air pollution and measures that need to be taken to improve the situation.

For example, a large number of crackers are burst during election result days and temple car festivals, which highly pollute the air, especially in the immediate neighbourhood. Politicians and temple heads should be made of aware of such dangers and ask them to refrain from bursting crackers.

The other big contributor to air pollution is burning of garbage, which is prevalent across the city. The government agencies, which are mandated by the Constitution to ensure hygiene, wellness, welfare and quality of life for all, should draw up a comprehensive action plan to tackle environment-related issues. These agencies have been entrusted with the power to address these issues, while the public too should do its bit to improve our environment.

Only when citizens and government agencies work together can we can find solutions to a plethora of problems being faced by our city. Otherwise, problems will continue to haunt us and will only grow bigger.

(The author is a former secretary, Karnataka Department of Ecology, Environment and Forests)

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