Vimlendu Jha shared his views on the massive deforestation and pollution of air and water on the 2nd day of #YKASummit. Citing the Lancet report data, he expressed his serious concern on the lives that are being taken away by the pollution. He states that the report says every year 2.5 million people die because of pollution. Nearly about 1.1 million die due to air pollution and about 15,000 people die prematurely in Delhi because of air pollution.
Citing the CAG report, he says that Delhi has a deficit of nine crore trees for which nothing is being done by the government. Instead they are ordering to cut more trees to make way for new buildings. He says that many areas do not have a proper supply of usable water. Rich people have installed water purifiers to tackle this problem but what about the others who cannot afford the water purifier? He also raised his concern on air pollution and says that it is killing us slowly. Those who can afford air purifiers have found a solution to this problem but what about others who cannot afford an air purifier? On water and air purifiers, he says that we are finding private solutions to the public problems.
Citing the example from Tamil Nadu where people protested against a factory which was supposed to be causing health issues to its nearby residents, and instead of solution, they were beaten up by the government servants. He asked strongly if we do have the right to breathe pure air?
He raised his concern that people and the government are busy with other issues but this issue of pollution is never being discussed which has started affecting us and will continue to do so even more in the coming future.