‘Linking nature with religion can reduce pollution’

LUCKNOW: Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma on Saturday gave a new mantra for minimising the alarmingly rising pollution level. He said that linking nature with religion was an effective way to bring down air pollution.

Speaking at a clean air conclave titled ‘Air pollution: problem and solution’, the deputy CM said that in past people were more religious and the air was much cleaner too.

“Back then, nature was linked with religion. People observed rituals like ‘Bargadahi’ and others, in which trees played a significant role. They prayed at Peepal trees and offered ‘jal’. Perhaps, one of the reasons why the air was cleaner was that people were more religious,” said Sharma.

He said that connecting nature and religion could still play an important role in improving the environment. Giving the example of Gujarat, he said that the state had a trend of planting trees on ‘Pitru

› Back then, nature was linked with religion. People observed rituals like ‘Bargadahi’ and others, in which trees played a significant role DINESH SHARMA , deputy chief minister

Paksh’.

The deputy CM also laid stress on the benefits of collective efforts. He said the government alone should not always be held responsible for the pollution problem, as the public had equal accountability. “It is time to combat the situation together,” he added.

Sharma also said the government would soon come out with a concrete plan to check pollution levels. “We are in the process of making a mega plan to reduce pollution. Under this, cities will be made congestion free, road cleaning will be mechanised to make the process dustfree and several other initiatives will be undertaken,” he said.