Earth5R News Article: Noise Pollution, Air Quality And Tree Density In Pune
Pune grapples with critical environmental challenges like waste management, with a substantial amount of daily garbage left unprocessed. The city also contends with water scarcity, amplified by river pollution, and deteriorating air quality due to vehicular emissions and construction activities. Meanwhile, its green cover faces threats from urban expansion, risking biodiversity loss.
Earth5R Community Action In Pune
In Pune, residents are tapping into the Earth5R App’s potential to enlighten themselves about ecological challenges and act proactively to mitigate them. Grassroots initiatives combined with heightened environmental awareness are the bedrock of combating these issues.
The Earth5R App is adept at breaking down complex environmental insights, making it invaluable for committed community members. For individuals like Rutuja Choudhari, an Earth5R volunteer, the app provides clarity and empowers her to address local environmental conditions.
The Action And Research Survey
Here’s a snapshot of the notable environmental activities undertaken by Rutuja Choudhari in Pune, all facilitated by the empowering Earth5R app:
- Sustainable Development Evaluation: Rutuja embarked on the Personal Sustainability Survey, unveiling her practices to be 90% aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This has emboldened her to motivate others to take the survey and identify their ecological footprints.
- Environmental Monitoring: In a dedicated Noise Pollution Survey at Ambekar Nagar, Nanded, a residential enclave, Rutuja detected a maximum noise level of 89 decibels with a significant average of 75 decibels. These figures alarmingly exceed the acceptable standards for residential areas.
Pune is experiencing rapid urbanization, resulting in noise pollution.In Pune, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) established the world’s first continuous noise pollution monitoring system. In the first phase, the board will install two systems in residential areas that will monitor noise pollution data around the clock, according to officials.
The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the MPCB conducted a noise pollution survey. According to the report, vehicular traffic and horn use are the leading causes of noise pollution in the city of Pune.
- Waste Management Efforts: On her Waste Hotspot Exploration covering a kilometer in Ambekar Nagar, Nanded, Rutuja was relieved to discover an absence of waste concentration zones, indicating a cleaner stretch.
- Climate Change Advocacy: Rutuja organized Climate Change Workshops at both Noori Mohalla, Kalamnuri, and Ambekar Nagar, Nanded, enlightening 11 and 22 participants, respectively, about the implications of climate shifts.
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Survey: In her Water Ecosystem Exploration at a river in Nanded, Rutuja observed the water’s brown hue. The absence of foam implied no chemical pollutants, and she reported no litter in the vicinity, marking a clean environment.
- Green Coverage Study: During her walk in Sangvi, Rutuja counted a commendable 100 trees within a kilometer, reflecting the locale’s verdant nature.
- Community Greening Initiative: Rutuja showcased her eco-commitment with an Urban Plantation in Ambekar Nagar, Nanded, making strides in carbon sequestration.
Urban Infrastructure Review: On her Pothole Examination trek in Karve Nagar, Pune, Rutuja found a well-maintained road devoid of any potholes.
Rutuja’s diverse environmental interventions, catalyzed by the Earth5R app, accentuate the significant role individuals can play in nurturing eco-conscious communities and fostering sustainable urban habitats.
The Key Sustainability Issues
Waste Management in Pune
Pune, with its rapid urbanization, has been grappling with waste management challenges, particularly regarding the segregation of waste at the source. In 2019, it was reported that Pune generated over 2,000 metric tonnes of garbage daily, with only about 55% being processed. The remaining waste often finds its way into open dumping grounds, causing environmental and health hazards.
Water Scarcity and Rainwater Harvesting
Water shortage is a recurrent issue in Pune, especially during the summer months. The city’s rivers, like the Mula-Mutha, have been severely affected by pollution and encroachments. To combat this, the Pune Municipal Corporation and several NGOs have been promoting rainwater harvesting initiatives, emphasizing its implementation in new housing projects to recharge groundwater.
River Pollution
Pune’s lifeline, the Mula-Mutha River, faces severe pollution due to the direct discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents. A report from 2017 indicated that nearly 860 MLD (million litres daily) of untreated sewage was being released into the river.
Air Quality Concerns
Rising vehicular emissions, coupled with construction activities, have led to deteriorating air quality in Pune. The AQI (Air Quality Index) of Pune often crosses the ‘unhealthy’ threshold during certain times of the year, leading to respiratory concerns for its residents.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Pune has been proactively moving towards green energy solutions. The city has witnessed an increase in the adoption of solar panels in both residential and commercial sectors, bolstered by initiatives from the Pune Municipal Corporation. In 2019, the PMC announced subsidies for housing societies that adopted solar energy, providing further impetus.
Green Spaces and Biodiversity
While Pune is known as the “Oxford of the East” for its educational institutions, its green cover is dwindling. Urban expansion threatens the city’s green spaces, with concerns being raised over the loss of biodiversity. Efforts have been made by citizen groups to rejuvenate areas like the Vetal Tekdi and protect them from encroachments [Reference: *Pune Mirror*, 2018].
Water Scarcity and Rainwater Harvesting
Water shortage is a recurrent issue in Pune, especially during the summer months. The city’s rivers, like the Mula-Mutha, have been severely affected by pollution and encroachments. To combat this, the Pune Municipal Corporation and several NGOs have been promoting rainwater harvesting initiatives, emphasizing its implementation in new housing projects to recharge groundwater.
River Pollution
Pune’s lifeline, the Mula-Mutha River, faces severe pollution due to the direct discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents. A report from 2017 indicated that nearly 860 MLD (million litres daily) of untreated sewage was being released into the river.
Air Quality Concerns
Rising vehicular emissions, coupled with construction activities, have led to deteriorating air quality in Pune. The AQI (Air Quality Index) of Pune often crosses the ‘unhealthy’ threshold during certain times of the year, leading to respiratory concerns for its residents.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Pune has been proactively moving towards green energy solutions. The city has witnessed an increase in the adoption of solar panels in both residential and commercial sectors, bolstered by initiatives from the Pune Municipal Corporation. In 2019, the PMC announced subsidies for housing societies that adopted solar energy, providing further impetus.
Green Spaces and Biodiversity
While Pune is known as the “Oxford of the East” for its educational institutions, its green cover is dwindling. Urban expansion threatens the city’s green spaces, with concerns being raised over the loss of biodiversity. Efforts have been made by citizen groups to rejuvenate areas like the Vetal Tekdi and protect them from encroachments.
Volunteer And Intern With Earth5R Community To Restore The Ecosystem
In the quest for superior environmental guardianship, every individual’s contribution plays a pivotal role. Through our combined endeavors, we transition from merely talking about environmental conservation to implementing tangible solutions. By cultivating sustainable practices, we chart a course for a brighter, greener future.
Earth5R’s provides Recognition to the volunteers and interns for Sustainability action
The Earth5R app transcends being a mere source of information; it serves as an accelerator, motivating users to effect meaningful environmental transformations in their locale. Change begins with you, and with Earth5R’s arsenal of tools and insights, that spark of change can ignite a powerful wave of eco-conscious action.
Join Earth5R’s mission and earn recognition for your green initiatives. The app offers a spectrum of environmental internships and community service opportunities, allowing you to make a discernible difference, uplifting both the environment and community sanitation.
Embrace the future; dive into the tide of eco-innovation with the Earth5R app.
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