‘Indian Air Pollution Impacts Bahawalpur’

APP

Bahawalpur: The Assistant Director, Environment Department, said on Monday that Indian air pollution impacts Bahawalpur.

Speaking to the media, Ansar Abbas Siyal, Assistant Director of the Environment Department in Bahawalpur, highlighted the adverse effects of air pollution originating from India on the city’s environment.

Siyal also expressed concerns regarding the substantial impact of Indian-originated smog reaching Bahawalpur during a media interaction.

Emphasising the geographical proximity, the assistant director mentioned that Bahawalpur stands approximately 200 kilometres away from the Indian border. He pointed out that pollution, stemming from various sources such as agricultural residue burning and vehicular emissions in India, significantly affects the air quality in Bahawalpur and neighbouring cities.

Siyal specifically highlighted the aftermath of paddy and rice farming, predominant in India’s Delhi and Rajasthan regions. He explained that post-harvest, farmers in these areas traditionally burn crop residue, contributing to air pollution and smog that transcends borders and impacts Bahawalpur’s environment.

Contrary to social media claims portraying Bahawalpur as a polluted city, Siyal clarified that the region does not host large-scale industries emitting significant pollutants. He asserted Bahawalpur’s status as a clean and environmentally conscious area. However, he underscored the undeniable impact of Indian air pollution on the city’s environment.

Siyal’s statements shed light on the interconnectedness of air quality issues, emphasising the need for cross-border collaboration to address shared environmental challenges.