Sulphur dioxide concentration on the festive day decreased at five locations, while
the values increased at two locations in comparison to last year.
Sulphur dioxide concentration ranged between 5 and 56 A-g/m3 as compared to 3
and 63 A-g/m3 last year. SO2 levels have been found within the prescribed standard
of 80 g/m3 at all the locations.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration also remained on the lower side ranging
between 26 and 87 A-g/m3 as compared to 44 and 85 A-g/m3 in 2012.
The NO2 levels are within the prescribed standard of 80 A-g/m3 at six locations
except Shahzada Bagh.
Particulate matter levels have shown an increasing trend at all the locations this year
as compared to last year.
Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) values ranged between 796 and
1138 A-g/m3as compared to 748 and 951 A-g/m to 3 A-g/m3 during Diwali last year.
incense, camphor and numerous other materials are dumped carelessly adding more strain to
the already polluted rivers and lakes.
ALTERNATIVES* Use eco-friendly clay idols painted with natural colors.
* Use permanent idols made of stone and perform a symbolic immersion and reuse the idol each
year.
* Avoid public waterbodies to immerse the idols, instead immerse idol in bucket or tub
HOLI-
Sound pollution is causing harm to our ears and hearing system! The loud music played during
the emersion of Goddess Durga in procession with shouting and screaming hurts our ear, which
can tolerate sound only upto a certain decibel. The music is soothing upto a certain decibel.
Beyond that it becomes an irritant, a nuisance to the human being. He/She feels irritated and
angry and swears those who play the play music barbarically! Music at that point becomes an
object of hatred!
After a days hard work, I came to my house the day after Dashami and laid in bed, just trying to
sleep....but I could not....I couldn't sleep as the noise and shouting of the revelers of Durga Puja
going to the riverside is disturbing my hearing tolerance, irritating me to the full extent that my
face turned red like an apple and I am shouting at them like a mad person!!
The reputed clubs in contrary never use the loudspeakers. Their puja is peaceful. Their puja
shows elegance. They get a lot of prizes. I appreciate a lot and not only me..many visitors wait in
queues for hours to visit the prize winning pujas. Prizes are given to the pujas so that the puja
organizer maintain some ethics and the sense of esthetics helps them stand out from the rest. A
touch of originality is always expected from the puja organizer and the prize goes to them only. I
respect those clubs who maintain an eco-friendly puja and help people appreciate the Goddess
Durga in a wonderful way!