Deteriorating air quality in Kashmir valley |
Air pollution is the most disturbingly provocative environmental problem in Kashmir valley and is directly related to human health. Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes, smoke or odor are introduced into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals, plants and cultural assets. Kashmir valley is currently facing an alarming air pollution challenge with almost all areas under a thick carpet of dust and smoke. The situation has aggravated because of the prolonged dry spell, as the natural cleansing effect of precipitation is absent. Precipitation in the form of rains, or snow, help in washout of the pollutants in the atmosphere. The surge in the concentration of PM (PM1, PM 2.5, PM 4 and PM 10) and other air pollutants during winter are attributed to biomass burning and vehicular traffic coupled with other........