Hyderabad: Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) recently conducted a workshop on regulating open burning under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to address environmental and public health concerns. The topic covered open burning practices including burning of waste such as agricultural residue, plastics, and other materials that significantly contributing to air pollution.
TGPCB member secretary Ravi urged officials, staff, and associations to identify sources of pollution. He pointed out that Hyderabad, Sangareddy and Nalgonda, are designated as non-attainment cities by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, highlighting the need for more funding and activities in these areas to address air pollution.
Prof. Anurag Garg from IIT Bombay highlighted the need for air pollution control devices. Pulmonologist Dr. Mood Narayan stressed the serious health risks posed by particulate matter (PM 10, PM 2.5, and PM 0.1), including bronchitis, asthma, cancer and arrhythmia.
The workshop was attended by Nagaram municipal commissioner S. Bhasker Reddy, environmental consultant R. Sudhir, senior social scientist W.G. Prasanna Kumar, senior environmental scientist D. Prasad, environmental scientist N. Jayasri and officials from urban local bodies and representatives from industries.
