Social activists for permanent solution to air pollution
VARANASI: Environmental and social activist Ekta Shekhar on Friday said that she along with some like- minded people would submit a memorandum to each political party, demanding a permanent solution to rising air pollution.
Air pollution is rising not only in Varanasi, but in various other cities of the state too.
Addressing a press conference here, Shekhar said, “The artificial white lungs, which were set up at Assi Ghat, turned completely black in 72 hours. This is proof that air pollution has become an important issue in Varanasi and other cities of the state. NGO Climate Agenda is running a campaign to create awareness among the general public about the rising air pollution. To check air pollution, steps like promotion of the use of clean energy are required.”
She said that In the next phase of the campaign, attention of all the mainstream political parties would be drawn to the issue of pollution. The campaign team would go to the offices of all the parties and submit a memorandum to motivate them for a permanent solution to pollution. The changes being seen by way of electric vehicles and solar energy in Kashi were pleasant but not sufficient, she said.
Social worker Saniya Anwar said, “Varanasi has openly supported this awareness campaign. In the signature campaign being run, in the last 5 days more than 4,000 have supported us online and more than 20,000 off-line. Our goal is to hand over a demand to the ministry of forests and environment of the state and Government of India with a total of 50,000 signatures, urging a Clean Air Action Plan.”