WHO Ranks Kanpur At The Top Of The Polluted Cities List – Shocking Survey Results

It is an alarming and sad news that over 24 lakh people die. Every year, due to pollution and 90% of people who have died due to air pollution come from low and middle-income nations. After a shocking report from the World Health Organisation, it is important to pay attention to India’s pollution levels. As, out of the 20 of the most polluted cities listed, 14 out of them are Indian cities. And, the number 1 place is held by Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The Most Polluted Cities

Some of the most polluted cities in India on the PM 2.5 scale have been identified to be

Kanpur, Faribad, Gaya, Patna, Agra, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Delhi, Jaipur, Patiala, Jodhpur, Benaras, Muzaffarpur, Alisunah Al Salem of Kuwait, and some cities of China and Mongolia.

In the 2016 report, 13 of the listed 20 cities were Indian at the PM 10 scale.

A Shocking Percentage Of Deaths

In a worldwide estimate of 70 lakh deaths are due to pollution. But India alone sees 24 lakh per year. This comes up to an alarming 34% of the world’s deaths due to pollution.

4300 Cities Out of 108 Countries Were Surveyed

The WHO surveyed an estimated 4300 cities spanning 108 countries over the world to collect data. For the PM 10 and PM 2.5 scales and for the Urban Air Pollution Index. In 2016, 42 lakh people died due to air pollution through several causes such as cooking and fuel.

90% Of Deaths in Low and Middle -Income Countries

The WHO Index notes that 70 lakh people die worldwide due to diseases stemming from air pollution. These diseases include lung and heart diseases, cancer, pneumonia and respiratory infections. According to the report, 90% of deaths were reported from low and middle-income nations. Such as countries in Asia and Africa, including India.

Access To Clean Cooking Fuel

The report also notes that 40% of the population do not have the access or sufficient technology to use clean cooking fuels. This is a key cause of pollution at home.

The Encouragement Of Ujjwala Yojana

Under Prime Minister Modi’s Government, the WHO praised and encouraged the Ujjwala Yojana scheme. The organ has stated that India has made notable efforts to reduce and deal with pollution. Under the scheme, the Indian Government has planned to provide LPG gas connections to 8 crore women by the year 2020.

Although the WHO report has raised several alarms, India as a nation should seek toward reducing pollution and switching to non-polluting techniques and technology. Acknowledging that more that Indian cities occupy some of the most polluted cities in the world, citizens should actively engage in making the environment pollution-free and breathable for their generation as well as the ones to come. A combined effort can definitely help in bringing down the numbers and serve as an example to the rest of the world. Let us know your opinions in the comments below.