Dark polluted air covered the capital city as the residents slept and choked them as they woke up to the first foggy and smoggy morning of this winter on Tuesday. The air pollution level which was said to have dropped rose to a dangerous high, leaving many residents breathless and sick.

Barely two weeks ago, experts issued an alert that exposure to the rising air pollution in Delhi can cause stroke in adults. Following the critical air pollution condition, the National Green Tribunal has pulled up Delhi and its surrounding states. While it is to be seen what serious move the concerned governments would take, here are a few things conscious citizens must do to control air pollution.

Stop the blame-game and take small steps towards controlling air pollution

Green the place:  Look up for plants and trees you can grow in the winter season. Have a balcony garden, kitchen garden, flower gardens. Grow trees around the vicinity.  Have green fencing. Keep potted evergreen plants inside the house and around the house. They help to purify indoor air.

Clean environment: Protect the trees and plants. Keep your surroundings clean and green. Make sure to throw waste in dustbins and dustbins alone. Stop preaching. Practice cleanliness wherever you be.

Drive less, walk more: Remember the odd-even number pollution drive in the city? Reduce the number of vehicles your family or you own. Give a break to your car once in a while. Use public transports to commute. Walk for health and wealth.

Waste disposal: Proper waste disposal is important as careless disposal of waste pollutes not only the air, but also soil and water. Disposed of house and other waste in respective garbage bins – degradable, non-degradable – recycle.

Say no to garbage dumps: Say a big no to garbage dumps  in residential areas, as it pollutes the entire area and can spread all kinds of diseases. Call the authorities concern to remove them.

Voice against burning of garbage: Raise your voice against any form of burning of waste in residential areas. Burning of waste in residential areas should be strictly banned.

Social work: Take the lead and be the change. Organise a weekly or weekend social work in your residential area. Call members of the colony for a weekly cleanliness drive and create a chain of change.

While burning of crops and many others reasons add to air pollution, we must do what we can. In short, fight air, soil and water pollution in your city by keeping it clean and green. Apart from the government’s pollution control board, if every citizen takes a conscious decision against any kind of pollution and take up a strong battle against pollution, the city would not suffer such critical situation it faces today.

Meanwhile, wear a nasal mask if you have to step out of the house and commute to work.