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Air pollution in Quetta City.

_, April 02, 2010 (Balochistan Times): Air gives life! Its a universal truth that we cannot live if we cease on breathing. The need of fresh air in order to live healthy life is indispensable. Those who in the country side, indeed live on a piece of heaven on earth as they breath in fresh air and enjoy all the benefits of being in close connection to nature. Those who live in the city suffer from adverse effects of industrialization that bring a form of air pollution. The city of Quetta is struck badly by air pollution. It is a provincial capital and the largest city of Balochistan province of Pakistan which has a vast area more than 43% of the country. In the beginning, this (Quetta) small town was situated with in the walls of a fort. As time passes this city began to expand and soon it turned into a beautiful small town. The Britishers during their period paid special attention towards the cleanliness of this town and for this very reason people used to call it a small London a city of Europe. Rapid population growth in terms of rural-urban migration and influx of Afghan Refugees tremendously increased the population of this small town and now it is called Quetta city with a population of 2.000million. Quetta city due to its dense population is suffering badly with air pollution, which is not a cause of destruction of environment but also a great danger to the inhabitants of this city related to various kind of diseases. The city is center of all commercial activities of the province. As time passes, it is becoming an industrial city. The two main industrial areas are Sirki Road which is also known as mini industrial state and the other one is located at Sariab bypass which is quiet away from the center of the city. These industries are few in numbers and are not contributing much towards the air pollution. Though brick kilns are not seen as the part of industrial sector but they are causing damage to the environment in a form of air pollution. These brick kilns are the bed of throne for the people of that particular vicinity. Stone crushing plants near bypass are also one of the sources causing air pollution by emitting dust and particulate matter in the air. The dust thus produced during crushing is directly inhaled by the labourers walking there without any safety, precaution measures and resultantly suffer with severe asthma. The climate of Quetta is generally dry, it lies out side the range of moon soon. Currently for this particular reason rainfall is scanty and irregular. This dry weather is the major cause of barren and unvegetated land. From such barren and unvegetated land, the gust of wind takes much of the dust particles along with and this thing is several times observed by the inhabitants. These dust clouds often hamper the visibility of air traffic as a result the schedules of flights disturbed badly. Quetta city was formed for few masses initially, but the population kept on increasing without taking the serious decisions of dispersing population towards rural areas or in any other city of Pakistan. At the moment, this city is under going the stress of over population. This situation is leading towards pain stake adversities among which the chief problems is of air pollution caused by the vehicle emission. Quetta has all the classical geographic characteristics that favour the formation of photo chemical smog. It is located in the bowl shaped valley surrounded by the high mountains that is why the smoke and pollution particles produced by vehicle emission remain with in the bowl for quiet a long period. Air pollution caused by vehicle emission in the city increasing the vulnerability of all people and the most effected by this problem are women and children. Air pollutants include carbon monoxide, zone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates and their pollutants come primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels which is the life and sole of moving cars. Exposure to carbonmonooxide exacerbate refluxes and causes drowsiness. Since molecules of carbon monoxide bind to haemoglobin causes the reduction of oxygen that carry the cells of red blood. Nitrogen oxide can intensify asthma and reduce the efficiency for proper functioning system of lungs. Ozone causes lungs inflamination and reduces lungs function and exercise capacity .Smaller particulates can become wedged is the already sacs of the lungs. This problem is associated with higher admission to hospital for respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. Too much concentration of particulate can also cause the death. When people in high concentration areas inhale particulate and ozone, their arteries become even more constricted, as a result reduce their blood flow and supply of oxygen to the heart. This is way air pollution exacerbate problems of heart and asthma. The problem allied with air pollution is bit by bit snatching the health and peace of mind from the natives of this valley. The solution of air pollution is not intricate to discern. This is the time when we must edify our common men so that along with government and private sector the can play their imperative role in incarcerating the monster of air pollution in a bottle for ever.

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Ayesha Jawed (Member):  4/20/2011 10:29 PM
Aweosme article and great writings appreciate your effort, keep it up.
one thing you also need to mention that is the presence of Afghan Refugees in Quetta valley and different environmrntal problems they are generating. They them selves in a very deprived condition suffering from many health problems plus affecting their environemtal too and make it un hygenic for others too.

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Publication:Balochistan Times (Baluchistan Province, Pakistan)
Date:Apr 2, 2010
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