Sharp decline in Mangaluru’s air quality: Report raises alarm

Team Udayavani, Sep 7, 2024, 9:36 AM IST

A recent report by Greenpeace has raised alarms over the deteriorating air quality in Mangaluru, a city known for its lush greenery.

The report warns that the air quality in three major cities of Karnataka—Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Mangaluru—has significantly worsened, with pollution levels reaching dangerous heights. If immediate action is not taken to reduce air pollution, it could have severe consequences on public health.

The “Spare the Air-2” report by Greenpeace India highlights that the levels of harmful particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the air across 10 key cities in South India have exceeded the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This poses a serious threat to public health, with fine particulate matter being linked to several respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

In five cities, including Mangaluru, the PM2.5 levels are 6 to 7 times higher than the WHO guidelines, while PM10 levels in cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Puducherry are 4 to 5 times above the recommended limits, the report confirms.

Greenpeace India campaigner Salome Garnayak stated that the alarming rise in pollution levels in South Indian cities is a stark reminder of the worsening air quality in urban areas. Greenpeace India, a non-profit organization focused on environmental advocacy, emphasized the urgency of adopting strategies to combat climate change, reduce rising global temperatures, and implement necessary reforms.

The report serves as a call to action for authorities to take immediate and effective steps to curb air pollution in these cities, safeguarding the health of their citizens.