India is a beautiful
country and it is relatively inexpensive to travel here. But there are
challenges and you have to be careful about quite a few things. Most people
will tell you to be careful with water and food, about being cheated and
misguided, but very few will tell you to be careful about the air you breathe.
Many other authors have written about a lot of stuff so let me tell you about
the quality of air. The Indian government has legislated many laws which cover
virtually everything under the sun. Regarding air quality in the capital New
Delhi, even smoking in public places is not allowed. If you travel to the
Delhi, and are staying in one of the more expensive hotels where you keep the
windows closed, there is less of a problem. However in inexpensive hotels and
when outdoors, you are at great risk of catching something from the bad quality
of air.
There is no risk from
vehicular pollution or at least the vehicles meet the most stringent emission
norms. It is not the citizens but government departments who are responsible
for a lot of pollution that can give you a breathing problem, especially of you
already have a slightly weakened respiratory system. Delhi is very beautiful
with many parks, forests and gardens. However, these also pose a threat. The
weather in Delhi is such that we have a fall like condition virtually thru the
year. During winter months (November, December, January, February), trees shed
leaves because it is too cold. Even when temperatures start to rise in March,
April and May trees keep shedding leaves in very large quantity and new fresh
leaves start to grow. By the time it is June the temperatures become very high
and the shedding of leaves starts once again and. I the months of July, August
and September we have the monsoon when the trees do not shed leaves as much but
the growth of grass becomes rapid. We have vast areas covered with grass which
is under municipal control, including some other agencies. However, all these
agencies are under the control of bureaucrats or politicians, who are not
accountable for anything that happens, nor are they interested in doing the
right thing even if matters are brought to their notice. As a result, large
quantities of grass are cut all over the capital. All the fallen leaves and
large quantities of grass that is cut and collected is, mostly disposed of by
burning, creating large scale pollution and health problems for the residents
and anyone travelling to the city, thru the year.
So when you travel to
New Delhi, India, you need to be very careful not just about getting duped or
catching a stomach flu or diarrhea, but also about getting a lung infection or
breathing problems.
I am myself a resident
of New Delhi and have been suffering; I believe I suffer from Chronic Fatigue (CFS)
induced by this pollution. Bringing it to the notice of virtually all persons
in authority including the Chief Minister, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, has fallen on
deaf ears. If you are concerned about this type of pollution that can easily be
controlled by government action please write to the Chief Minister of Delhi Mrs
Sheila Dikshit at the following address:
Ms Sheila Dikshit
Chief Minister of Delhi
Government of NCT – Delhi
Delhi Secretariat
I.P.Estate
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