By the editor
During the last two decades, the environment scenario in Meghalaya has changed considerably. Urbanisation and population have grown at quite rapid strides thus contributing to congestion. In the meantime, vehicles of all types have increased tremendously and these have been emitting harmful fumes. Taking all these into consideration, one cannot help but feel dismayed at the various types of pollution which affect not only the surroundings but most importantly the health of the people. Potable water has become a scarce commodity not only in the urban areas but in the suburbs and villages as well. Jeeps carrying water from the sources are a constant sight in the city, which was unseen in earlier. Finally, to make sure that water is fit for drinking and consumption, it has to be properly boiled to avoid water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and dysentery. Not only for such type of water, but even that coming to our houses through pipes and supplied by the government department, has to be also boiled to make sure that it is healthy and free from impurities. During autumn and winter seasons there is acute shortage of water while in spring and summer times the water is quite often murky and muddy. Another menace is plastic which, if carelessly discarded, may enter the water sources and block the free flow in the pipes.
It has long been recognised that the major contributors to air and noise pollution are the motor vehicles. As long back as in the 1950s and 1960s the affluent countries like the United Kingdom and the United States had conducted surveys and studies on the emission of poisonous gases by vehicles and it was found that the main culprit was diesel fuel. The expert committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) met at Geneva, Switzerland during mid-July 1968 to discuss these sensitive issues and consequently came out with resolutions for reducing, if not totally eliminating, the emission of poisonous gases from vehicles and manufacturing units. Government of India published a notification on the Revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards on November 16, 2009 which provide legal guidelines for the control of air pollution and to safeguard public health. Noise pollution is another health hazard. Nowadays, besides emitting poisonous gases vehicles are fitted with disturbing and noisy airhorns of high decibels which are a great nuisance to the public. Factories and industries emit noises which are a havoc to the public, especially households located nearby. Different religions celebrate feasts and festivals, using public address (PA) systems. Even during elections, various political parties use PA systems and quite often compete against each other; during marriage and anniversary celebrations which continue not only till late night, but even the following morning hours, are great nuisances. Neighbours unnecessarily lose sleep, children are disturbed and students cannot study in peace. Use of loudspeakers, therefore, ought to be strictly restricted and manufacturing units should not be issued licenses in or near the residential areas. Government authorities and public concern ought to take into consideration all these issues for the welfare of the public at large.