South Asia's Air Quality Crisis: Regional Smog Solutions Needed

1. A thick layer of toxic smog has engulfed northern India and eastern Pakistan, reducing visibility and pushing air quality to hazardous levels. This crisis occurs each year as winter approaches and pollution sources like crop burning, traffic, and coal-fired plants compound the problem.
2. As of late October, Delhi recorded air quality index (AQI) levels over 250, while Lahore hit “hazardous” levels of 500, far exceeding safe air quality limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Lahore, now labeled the most polluted city globally, faces severe health threats.
3. The Hindu festival of Diwali, widely celebrated with fireworks, exacerbates smog levels as it coincides with the seasonal pollution peak. Despite a firecracker ban, pollution worsened post-Diwali in both India and Pakistan, further reducing air quality across the region.
4. The sustained exposure to hazardous air increases the risk of respiratory diseases and can cut years from the lives of millions, as per health experts. Both adults and children face heightened vulnerability to pollution-related illnesses like lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
5. Pakistan's Punjab province has called for “climate diplomacy” with India to address shared environmental challenges. The region’s proximity and shared agricultural practices mean that smog flows across borders, complicating isolated attempts to reduce pollution.
6. Efforts to combat smog include sprinkling water on streets, closing schools in Lahore, and enforcing restrictions on certain vehicles and open-air restaurants. Both countries have also introduced cleaner farming practices, but implementation remains inconsistent.
7. Stubble burning continues to be a major pollutant. Despite bans and alternative options, it remains common, with smoke adding to the seasonal haze. Courts in both countries have condemned state efforts, urging stricter enforcement and accountability.
8. Winter weather compounds the crisis as colder air traps pollutants close to the ground, creating an impenetrable smog layer. This phenomenon affects daily life, with warnings issued to reduce outdoor activities and limit exposure during peak pollution times.
9. India’s Clean Air Programme and Pakistan’s initiatives provide frameworks for reducing emissions. However, experts argue these are short-term solutions without tackling underlying sources, such as reliance on coal and insufficient regional collaboration.
10. The South Asian air quality crisis underscores the need for robust, long-term strategies. Cross-border collaboration, advanced pollution control technologies, and stronger political commitment are crucial for meaningful change that could reduce the seasonal smog afflicting millions.

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