A plea for cross-border collaboration has been issued by a smog-choked province in eastern Pakistan to address the severe air pollution affecting major cities in both Pakistan and India. Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province, with 127 million residents, has reached out to the Indian government to initiate a dialogue on this critical issue. The Punjabi Secretary for Environment and Climate Change emphasized the need for climate diplomacy as a regional and global concern.
The air pollution crisis in the region has been exacerbated by a combination of factors, including farmers burning agricultural waste, coal-fired power plants, traffic emissions, and stagnant weather conditions. Lahore, a city of over 14 million people, recently experienced its highest-ever levels of air pollution, prompting authorities to take measures such as closing schools and imposing restrictions on certain activities.
Similarly, in Delhi, India, hazardous air quality levels were recorded due to factors like fireworks during the Diwali festival. The health risks associated with breathing polluted air are significant, with increased chances of developing serious illnesses such as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
Both countries are grappling with the challenge of stubble burning, a practice where farmers burn crop residue to clear fields, leading to further air pollution. Efforts to curb this practice have been made, including providing alternative methods for disposing of crop residue.
As the issue of toxic air quality continues to worsen, there is a growing recognition of the shared responsibility that India and Pakistan have in addressing climate-related challenges. The call for collaboration underscores the need for a united effort to combat air pollution and safeguard the health and well-being of millions of people in the region.
