Air Pollution: How Clean is the Air you’re Breathing Right Now?

http://indiatogether.org/air-quality-index-colour-coding-in-india-cities-environment

Air pollution has emerged to be one of the greatest environmental and public health risks in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to approximately 800,000 deaths and 4.6 million lost life years annually.1

The threat and impact of air pollution is even more severe in developing countries like India. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has proclaimed Gujarat as the most contaminated State in the nation. Similarly, Gujarat also tops the list of the seven states that account for 80% of the aggregate waste in country followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Air pollution is a more critical issue, especially for developing nations like India. In highly industrialized states like Gujarat, there appears to be a critical increase in air pollution levels in the recent years. As per the figures shared by Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) in its annual report 2015-16, the ambient air quality (PM10) has degraded not only in industrial clusters like Vapi, Ankleshwar and Vatva, however has additionally in private and business zones of Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Rajkot.

Similarly, the GPCB has also classified Ahmedabad (Gujarat’s chief city) as one of the most polluted urban centres in the world. The degradation in Ahmedabad’s air quality has additionally brought about genuine health concerns, including unexpected life losses, allergic effects, fibrosis, microbial contamination and increased emergency room visits for respiratory illness. All these adverse impacts have led to a serious demand for an air pollution response plan.

Realizing the need to address the rising threat of air pollution in the city, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken a revolutionary step. The AMC has collaborated with many stakeholders to unveil and implement the city’s Air Information and Response Plan. This plan has been created utilizing the recommendations and best practices endorsed by civic experts, medical practitioners and community leaders, both national and international (Mexico City, Beijing and Los Angeles).

  

Consolidating the efforts of local government, scientists and NGO’s, eight new air quality checking destinations in Ahmedabad are creating a day by day Air Quality Record (AQI) that is accessible to citizens through 11 LED screens across the city, as a feature of what is known as the Air Information and Response (AIR) plan.

The Air Information & Response Plan is one of its kind in India and Ahmedabad is the first city that has introduced the air action plan and has taken a small but progressive step towards mitigating the impacts of air pollution. This small step carries the potential of saving millions of lives from the adverse impacts of air pollution.

“Cleaning up the air we breathe prevents non-communicable diseases as well as reduces disease risks among women and vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly,” says Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General Family, Women and Children’s Health.2 

1  World Health Organization, “World Health Report 2002: Reducing risk, Promoting healthy life”,World Health           
    Organization. Geneva, Switzerland. Available from www.who.int/whr/2002/en/
2  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/air-pollution/en/

or any further information please contact: bestteam@aidmi.org

—AIDMI Team  

Addressing Risk in Thermal Power Stations

Taking a serious note of the occupational health hazards associated with work in coal-fired thermal power plants (CFTPPs) the Honorable Supreme Court of India has asked High Courts to examine – the safety standards, rules and regulations with assistance of the State Governments after calling for necessary reports from CFTPPs situated in their respective States.

Tackling the health burden of air pollution in South Asia
 http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/

A thermal power plant uses coal as fuel for their working. Coal after burning leaves ash. Disposal of this ash is also one important task. Ash is than exposed to open environment and has adverse effects on health of Living beings. And people working under such environment may suffer from various health problems like skin diseases, breathing problem etc. Thermal power stations are also prone to hazards and accidents while maintaining and operating large scale machineries such as boiler, turbine, generator, material handling etc. This work emphases on identification of various occupational hazards and injuries, health risks associated with the manpower working in a thermal power plant.

Thermal power plant can cause environmental impacts at all stages of the process to society. It can also causes various occupational diseases and injuries to the workers working. Each Occupational disease and injury has a major effect on economy due to loss of productive hour, man-power losses, compensation to the victims. Therefore, there is a need to address all occupational diseases, injuries/fatalities through corrective and preventive measures.

There are several kinds of ailments that were recorded in a thermal power plant. These included Allergic reactions that interfered with breathing, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, Lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, wheezing, stroke, Chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, irregular heartbeat, swelling in legs and feet (not caused by walking), skin allergies, High B.P, anxiety, eye irritation and fatigue. In addressing the risk, there are several legal measures which are proposed and regulated by the government and other safety organizations. These measures are essential to be followed up for safe working operation and conditions.

Some common safety rules and regulations that are essential in the power plant to follow up:

•  Factories Act 1948 & M.P. /C.G. Rules 1962;
•  The Indian Boiler Act 1923 & Regulations, 1950 (Amendment 2007)
•  Water Act -1974
•  Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989.
•  Indian Electrical Act 2003 & Rules 1956
•  IS Standards
•  OSHA Standard 1970
•  Third Schedule (See section 89 and 90), List of Notifiable Diseases, The factories Act,1948

Breaches of these laws and regulations generate hazards which can cause the harm by generating; 
•  Unsafe activities
•  Unsafe conditions
•  Behavioural mishaps.

Disaster Risk Management: GIS Mapping and Governance

Reducing disaster risk in vulnerable areas and situations is vital to minimizing the adverse impacts of disasters. Thus, disaster risk management is altogether the application of risk reduction policies and strategies, to prevent new disaster risks, reduce existing disaster risks, and manage residual risks, contributing to the strengthening of resilience and reduction of losses.1 GIS is an effective tool in DRM to tackle the disaster issues using advance technology. It is a computer system used for capturing, storing, querying, analysing and displaying geospatial data. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) incorporate the roles and functions of GIS. Last year, an international conference of information and communication technologies highlighted the current scenario on GIS and e-Governance, some of the highlights from the conference are given below.

Source: http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/mapanalysis/Topic30/Topic30_files/image019.png.

Disaster risk information is considered spatial in nature when it comes to geographical context. The use of earth observation (EO) products and GIS has become an integrated, well developed and successful tool in disaster risk management. Till today the local governance system is dependent on traditional method of data collection to resolve the disaster situation which creates discrepancies with actual situation. Thus, making efficient decisions would be possible using different GIS layers.

Digital India

Under Digital India, Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology has started National Centre of Geo Informatics which gives the current and live spatial information by GIS maps to sector wise, state wise and hazard wise. For example the state of Telangana displayed the heat wave information in specific location within the state using multiple layers in GIS.

South Asia Satellite (SAARC Satellite)

The SAARC satellite benefits South Asian countries for providing communication and disaster support and connectivity among the state. The satellite will help in management and conservation of water resource by GIS driven watershed development. This will help in weather forecasting and preventing natural disaster.

Road Map of Raipur District with Black spot of Accidents.

UNISDR

The UNISDR also provides GIS training and assistance for Disaster risk management, the objective of training is to provide the participants with skills that help them to describe and utilize spatial data through manipulating it in the phases of pre-disaster, during disaster and post disaster.

Governance in DRM:

Risk governance is risk communication, which is the interactive exchange of information about risks among risk assessors, managers, news media, interested groups and the general public. An important component of that is the visualization of risk. Since risk is spatially varying phenomenon, the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is supported and used in production and presentation of risk information.

With advancement in science and technology, the time has never been better to capitalize upon the innovative technologies, for making disaster assessment faster, evidence based, monitored and early preparedness to save lives and livelihood. To strengthen the capacity towards holistic approach in collating and consolidating information system for disaster risk management.

for any further information please contact: bestteam@aidmi.org

– AIDMI Team

Conducting Situational Analysis for Comprehensive School Safety Program: An Experience of Observing 65 School Safety Indicators through Score Card

The school safety is one of the significant measures in the national disaster management plan. School Safety is important because students, teachers, parents and school authorities can concentrate on developing and maintaining better  and safe learning environment within school premises where everyone feels safe and secure.  AIDMI under the aegis of Education Department, Government of Gujarat and Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management with support of UNICEF conducted Situation analysis of 250 School of 10 vulnerable district of Gujarat.

Vipul Nakum from AIDMI coordinated this situation analysis. The following piece of highlights Vipul Nakum’s experience about this situational analysis. In this research and study Vipul covered  namely Ahmedabad, Surat, Jamnagar, Bharuch, Patan, Devbhoomi Dwraka, Kachchh, Dahod, Banaskantha and Sabarkatha. Each district has its own hazards including  Earthquake, Flood, Drought, Cyclone, Lightening and Heat Wave. Rajdeep Bansod of AIDMI interviewed Vipul Nakum.

Question 1: Every year the Govt. of Gujarat celebrates school safety week to create awareness among students and teachers. What are your views on school safety and why SitAn is important for Gujarat?

Vipul: SitAn for CSSP acted as a key tool to critically observe the current scenario of education facilities in relation to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Safe School Facilities and Child Protection. SitAn has provided a room to find out gaps, challenges and opportunities to develop further actions. UNICEF has made the entire exercise possible through continuous and coordinated support and guidance of all levels.

Question 2: How school safety and child protection are integrated and have you covered this educational aspect in your SitAn?

Vipul: Yes, SitAn is focused on three pillars. One of the factor, safe school facilities have shown good result, as the school infrastructure in Gujarat is in worthy condition in most locations.

Question 3: How your research and study will further help to reduce the risk in school and to gain good learning environment in the schools of Gujarat?

Vipul: Result of SitAn will help the departments and related stakeholders in developing future action plan for making more appropriate safety measures for schools in Gujarat.

Question 4: Government of India envisioned to implement National School Safety Guidelines in each state successfully. What progress is made in the state of Gujarat?

Vipul: The Gujarat government is taking keen interest in implementation of each aspect of National School Safety guidelines in the state and has made considerable efforts to implement it. Government in support with UNICEF and concerned other stakeholders, developed a school safety score card along with state specific action plan and also issued necessary guidelines for the implementation in each school.

Question 5: Do you have any approach or plan to study situation of school safety and security in other states and what is your opinion on CSSSP?

Vipul: Based on current experience of conducting CSSSP activities in five states of India similar activities will be developed and enhanced in other states as well. The challenges is to facilitate the needs of school safety and security in most vulnerable states of Himalayan region and costal region of India.

In concluded remarks Vipul Nakum also mentioned the contribution by Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM). He stated that GIDM has provided a platform where departments and stakeholders came together and promised to leverage their support in making schools safer in the Gujarat.

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for any further information please contact: bestteam@aidmi.org  

 

– AIDMI Team

Disaster, Raksha (Safety) and Shakti (Resilience)

Reducing disaster risk is everyone's business. All sections of society have to come together to make India safe from such risks. The police and security forces can play a unique role in the pursuit of disaster resilience. The All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), Ahmedabad is making a modest contribution in enhancing the capacity of security and police forces to effectively respond to disasters and other emergencies. The following is one such example.

On April 03, 2018 AIDMI organized an orientation programme on Local Level Disaster Management Planning for eight stud

ents and a faculty of Raksha Shakti University, India's first internal security/police university. The objective of this programme was to introduce the participants to key issues and best practices of disaster risk reduction. Some of the key themes highlighted in the discussion that followed were:

1) Practical exposure and experience in the field.
2) Organization working style.
3) How organization is dealing with government  authorities at local to national level.
4) Role in Sustainable Development Goals.
5) AIDMI Contributions to society.
6) Planning and process at local level.

Local Level Disaster Management Planning - orientation at AIDMI office with Raksha Shakti University participants and faculty.

The participants also shared their experiences from the field. For instance, they highlighted how local government institutions especially those in rural areas lack proper water management and utilization methods.

The strengthening of disaster management mechanisms through understanding and inter-linking the roles of various departments in a disaster scenario at various level is very much required in India. The approach of working in the field and dealing with government authorities should owned by the agency, the support must come from the government and stakeholders for better implementation. Nature of work at policy level or the operational level should be demand driven to handle   governance issues from local level to national level.

Other programmes like school safety, local level planning like DDMP, City DMP, Departmental DMP, Office DMP etc. were explained with roles and responsibilities of the local government and concern agencies also discussed in orientation. At present, hazard orientated and specific aims for crowd management, heat wave and hospital safety are the need of the hour.

The role of police and security forces is crucial in every phase of disaster management as first responder or proximal at incident sites and relationship with the people. Some specific tasks can only be done by police and security forces like search and rescue of the affected people in disaster, they have well developed communication systems which could be used in emergency for information dissemination and liasoning between other stakeholders in the emergency.

The Standard operating procedure for the police and security forces during emergency operations should be evolved and followed. The SOP is the major documented guidelines for the Police in Pre, during and Post Disaster operations. The participant spoke on these aspects of the orientation at length.

As mentioned earlier, the key issues discussed by the participants covered topics such as heat wave action plans and road safety action plan. In discussion participants also drew attention to road accidents and security issues with respect to the city of Ahmedabad. The discussion ended with a detailed feedback from the participants wherein they appreciated the efforts of AIDMI and suggested that more of such orientation programmes be organized in future but of longer duration. 

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for any further information please contact: bestteam@aidmi.org    

– AIDMI Team

Cities, Farms and Resilience

There is a great potential to understand and leverage the interaction between cities, farms, and resilience, as India is poised to effectively implement National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) that draws from Global Sendai Framework. AIDMI is enlisting areas so far not addressed in the implementation of NDMP.

The rapid and often unplanned expansion of cities is exposing more people and economic assets to the risk of disasters and the adverse impacts of climate change. Urban flooding is one such major risk. Due to land-use changes, flooding in urban areas can happen very rapidly with sudden flow. It may result in temporary relocation of people, dispersal of animals, damage to civic amenities, deterioration of water quality and risk of epidemics.

India experiences periodic droughts and these drought-prone areas need long-term water resource management strategies coupled with better management of dryland farming to effectively cope with recurring droughts. Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience through structural, non-structural and financial measures, as well as comprehensive capacity development is one of the priorities for action under the Sendai Framework. Along with the mandate given in the DM Act 2005 and the NPDM 2009, the NDMP 2016 has incorporated the national commitment towards the Sendai Framework to increase resilience and prevent the emergence of new disaster risks and reduce the existing risks.

However, the interaction of these two forces leads to a greater loss and damage possibility as well as preparedness opportunities. The opportunity is especially timely as urban farming has found support in Indian cities. Urban farming is farming of fruits, vegetables and spices growing in urban areas for urban and non-urban consumption. Growing green herbs in urban parks or growing watermelon on heated roofs covered with sand bed are same initiatives actively pursued.

Several private sectors operators - Khetify and i-kheti in Mumbai and Living Greens in Bengaluru grow vegetables in farm. Some faster growth area with endless possibilities is citizens growing vegetables and spices on their balconies and terrace and even on their walls. In Ahmedabad, with the help of Mahila Housing Trust, poor and homeless women workers living in slums have used seeds to grow willer of Karela, Tindi and often vegetables to grow food and keep roof top cooler from heat wave. In Mumbai, there is a limitation for agriculture because of scarcity of the land in the city. Despite this, there are people who've started growing vegetables around railway tracks and the surrounding free areas of railway stations among other open spaces. The local people, vegetable vendors grow many vegetables in such free space.

Bengaluru Garden city Farmers Trust, the group of intellectuals, encourage citizens to take up organic terrace farming. The Trust is managed by a group of nine people. Nearly 10,000 people have already turned farmers in Bengaluru city. It hopes to bring back the green standards that the city was known for before the IT sector revolution.   They have been motivating citizens to convert all available spaces in and around their dwellings into green, edible patches. The effort is slowly snow-balling, with many such groups greening vacant plots in the city. 

A majority of the successful urban farmers advocate that urban farming should remain at small scale only so that market considerations do not over-ride the environmental benefits. e.g. biodiversity in vegetables and fruits. Such initiative helps to make cities more resilient to fight against climate change.

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for any further information please contact: bestteam@aidmi.org  

— AIDMI Team

Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 167, April 2018:

This issue of Southasiadisasters.net is titled"Chhattisgarh Reduces Risks and Builds Resilience". It highlights the key lessons and experiences of various stakeholders (both government and non-government) in taking concerted actions to build the resilience of Chhattisgarh against the aforementioned risks.

Chhattisgarh has been identified as one of the richest biodiversity habitats in India and has one of the most dense forest covers in the country. It is also the 10th largest state in terms of geographical area, the third largest in terms of forest area and has the second largest mineral reserves. These advantages has boosted the rapid growth and urbanization to holds the top rank in terms of development expenditure to GSDP ratio.

However, the state is exposed to multiple disaster and climate risks. This is evidenced by the increasing incidence of floods, drought, road accidents, fire, industrial accidents, man animal conflicts etc. with each passing year. Thus, it is important to protect the economic prosperity, ecological bounty and social diversity of this state from the ravages of disasters and emergencies.

This issue's contents includes: (i) Safe Chhattisgarh: Risk and Resilience; (ii) School Safety Scenario, Chhattisgarh; (iii) Child Centered Disaster Risk Assessment; (iv) Emerging Disaster But Yet To Be Termed — Heat Wave; (v) Hospital Safety Scenario in Chhattisgarh; (vi) Hazard Vulnerability Capacity Assessment: Process and Outcome; and (vii) Women Centered Disaster Risk Assessment.

Some of the best thinkers, researchers, experts, and activists, including Mihir R. Bhatt with AIDMI Team; Prasanta Dash, CFO, UNICEF, Raipur, Chhattisgarh; with Akshay Waghmare; Suresh L. Borkar; Russi Singh; Jyotirmoy Deb Goswami; Vaibhav Naresh Raut; and Renuka Poonia, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.

See More:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/82dcmilokfzd390/167%20Snet%20Chhatisgadh%20Reduces%20Risks.pdf?dl=0