COVID-19: Boon for Environment
- Places like Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Lucknow witnessed their average Air Quality Index (AQI) staying within two digits, which was not the case earlier. Delhi which normally recorded an AQI of 200 and 900 and above during peak pollution, has seen the AQI fall below 20 which is startling.
- We saw a very happy picture at Jalandhar, where one could see the Dhauladhar mountain range which is at a distance of 213 kms from Jalandhar, which was not visible from here in decades.
- Rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna have seen significant improvement in pollution levels since the nationwide lockdown had been implemented due to Corona virus.
- The endangered, South Asian River Dolphins also known as Ganges Dolphins were spotted in the Ganga river after 30 years.
- In Navi Mumbai, where the flamingos gather every year, but this year we witnessed a massive increase in their numbers due to the lockdown which resulted in cleaner atmosphere.
- Water from Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar was tested and the tests revealed that the water had been classified as 'fit for drinking after chlorination', for the first time in decades.
- Due to the lockdown the drainage from the industrial outlets have significantly reduced thereby bringing a significant change in the water quality.