The Government machinery is preparing for campaigns to save the environment, on the other hand, ground realities in Bhopal division and its surrounding areas are presenting a highly concerning picture. On the occasion of World Environment Day, ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ campaign is being launched from June 1 to 5 by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zilla Panchayat, Bhopal, Ila Tiwari, informed that a one-day training meeting will be organised on Monday at 3:30 pm in the auditorium of the Zilla Panchayat for implementation of this campaign. However, looking at the Government data and ground reality, this campaign appears distant from actual crises, where smoke from crop residue in the air and purity of water on the ground remain major challenges. Poison dissolving in the air While the administration is talking about ‘Surakshit Jalvayu’ (safe climate), on the other hand, according to the satellite data of Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, 2,023 incidents of burning crop residue (narwai) have been recorded in Bhopal division so far since the start of the monitoring season this year. Along with this, Bhopal division has come to the third position among all 10 divisions of the State. In this, Sehore district is in the worst condition, which remains biggest hotspot with 62% of the total fire incidents (1,261 cases) of the division.

 

After this, Raisen district is at second position, where total figures have reached 575. According to NASA’s satellite data, temperature in the outer northern and eastern areas of Bhopal has been recorded from 308K to 344K, which indicates fierce fires. Due to this smoke and fine particles (PM 2.5 and PM 10), Bhopal’s air (AQI) is continuously becoming toxic. A total of 13,974 cases have been reported in the entire state so far. Even in water purity, the situation of cleanliness on the ground is not good. A total of 128 water samples were collected from various locations, including slum areas across the entire city, for water testing. The Municipal Corporation is conducting water testing through 08 testing laboratories. The Corporation team repaired pipeline leakages at 37 locations and satisfactorily resolved 5 complaints received through CM Helpline and Mayor Helpline. The Corporation team has so far collected 20,587 water samples, including 9,489 locations in slum areas, across the city and got water quality tested through 08 testing laboratories, as well as repaired 5,753 leakages.