City coughs, sputters, as Bhogi fires burn; 4 stations record poor air quality

The news report highlighting 'poor air quality' in a Tamil Nadu city during the Bhogi festival serves as a critical reminder of the complex interplay between cultural traditions, urban development, and environmental sustainability in India. Bhogi, celebrated a day before Pongal, is traditionally observed by discarding and burning old household articles and agricultural waste. This practice, while symbolic of new beginnings and cleansing, often involves burning wood, plastic, rubber, and other materials, leading to significant air pollution.

The background to this annual event is rooted deeply in South Indian culture, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Historically, the fires were smaller, primarily involving agricultural waste and old wooden items, often serving a practical purpose of clearing clutter before the harvest festival. However, with increasing urbanization and consumerism, the nature of discarded items has changed, now including synthetic materials that release highly toxic pollutants when burned. This shift, coupled with a lack of awareness regarding the environmental and health hazards, has exacerbated the problem. The incident reported, where four out of fifteen monitoring stations recorded poor air quality, underscores the measurable impact of these collective actions.

Key stakeholders in this issue include the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), which is mandated under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, to monitor environmental quality and enforce pollution control norms. Their data is crucial for assessing the problem. The State Government, through its various departments, holds the responsibility for policy formulation, public awareness campaigns, and providing alternatives for waste disposal. Local municipal corporations and urban local bodies are directly involved in waste management, collection, and promoting eco-friendly disposal methods. Citizens, as participants in the festival, are perhaps the most crucial stakeholders, as their collective behavior directly influences the scale of pollution. Environmental activists and NGOs also play a vital role in advocacy, raising awareness, and pressuring authorities for stricter enforcement.

This issue matters immensely for India. Firstly, public health is severely compromised. Air pollution is a leading cause of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature deaths. The economic burden of healthcare costs and lost productivity due to illness is substantial. Secondly, it highlights a governance challenge: balancing traditional practices with modern environmental imperatives. While respecting cultural sentiments, there is an urgent need to reform practices that harm public health and the environment. Thirdly, such localized pollution events contribute to broader environmental degradation, including regional haze, acid rain, and an increase in greenhouse gases, thus impacting India's commitments to climate change mitigation. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, aims to reduce particulate matter concentration by 20-30% by 2024, and such festival-related pollution poses a challenge to achieving these targets.

From a constitutional perspective, the right to a clean environment is implicitly recognized as part of the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 48A mandates the State to 'endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.' Furthermore, Article 51A(g) enshrines it as a Fundamental Duty of every citizen to 'protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.' These articles provide the legal and ethical framework for environmental protection and pollution control measures. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is an umbrella legislation that empowers the central government to take measures to protect and improve the environment. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010, established the NGT for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.

Historically, India has grappled with festival-related pollution, most notably with Diwali firecrackers. Over the years, judicial interventions (e.g., Supreme Court rulings on firecracker bans) and government campaigns have aimed to mitigate these impacts, with varying degrees of success. The Bhogi situation mirrors this broader theme, underscoring the challenge of behavioral change and the need for sustained public education. The future implications are clear: without concerted efforts, such seasonal pollution events will continue to plague Indian cities, especially as urban populations grow. There is a pressing need for promoting eco-friendly alternatives for waste disposal, encouraging community-level composting, and fostering a sense of environmental responsibility. Stricter enforcement of anti-burning laws, coupled with robust public awareness campaigns and technological solutions for waste processing, are essential to ensure that cultural celebrations do not come at the cost of public health and environmental well-being. This incident serves as a microcosm of India's larger environmental challenges, highlighting the urgency for integrated policy approaches, community engagement, and a sustainable development paradigm.