Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
Pakistan is turning up the heat on its neighbour, blaming relentless fires set by Indian farmers for the off-the-charts pollution crisis sweeping the country. And with fresh evidence emerging, it seems Pakistan’s grievances are backed by more than just frustration.
At the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the two South Asian neighbours are confronting the harsh reality of shared environmental challenges.
Geospatial images now show that thousands of farmers' and other fires are raging on India’s side of the border, with hundreds of them taking place in districts close to or bordering Pakistan. This is a stark contrast to just a few weeks ago when Pakistan was the epicentre of the fires, and India’s contribution to the pollution was relatively minor.
The crop burning in India is contributing—though not solely responsible—to the extreme pollution levels affecting Lahore and other cities in Pakistan’s Punjab. On Tuesday, Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) reached a worrying 400, and in early November, it soared to an unprecedented 1,900, far beyond standard measurements.
While these fires are part of a larger crisis, their direct impact on air quality is undeniable.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, senior minister for the government of Punjab, is leading the fight against pollution and has ordered strong measures to bring down the smog enveloping the state’s urban centres. In Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, shops, markets, and bazaars have been ordered to shut at 8pm.
In response, Aurangzeb is implementing aggressive measures to combat smog and reduce the haze enveloping the region's urban centres. “This is no longer a city or provincial issue. It’s a widespread human crisis affecting all of Pakistan and the region,” Aurangzeb declared.
The government’s strong stance reflects the urgency of the situation, where smog is severely affecting daily life and public health.
Delhi, too, is grappling with air quality at dangerous levels. Visibility dropped to zero on Wednesday, forcing the diversion of 10 flights as the city’s AQI spiked to 418. Several monitoring stations recorded AQI levels above 500, well into the hazardous zone that puts residents at serious risk.
At 1 am on Thursday, one index recorded an AQI of 461, signalling an alarming escalation in air pollution. The situation in Delhi and surrounding areas is worse this October and November than in recent years, illustrating the growing severity of the crisis across the region.
In Pakistan, to counter the record-breaking smog levels, the Punjab state government is rushing to introduce a Smog Mitigation Policy and Action Plan. Key elements of the plan include basic measures like “first-ever” vehicle fitness tests and strong steps like clamping and impounding “smoke-emitting vehicles.”
These measures reflect the growing concern over vehicular pollution, which remains a significant contributor to the problem.
Also, the Punjab government will subsidise what are called “super-seeders,” innovative equipment designed to eliminate the need for crop stubble burning. The government is offering a 60 per cent subsidy for 5,000 super-seeders. Besides that, the government says it will also crack down on construction activities, which are another major source of pollution in the region.
While these local efforts are important, the broader issue of regional environmental challenges is being highlighted at COP29 in Baku. During the conference, India and Pakistan are voicing alarm over the impact of climate change, especially the alarming rate of glacial melting in the Himalayas.
Pakistan’s stunning Hunza Valley, known for its picturesque landscapes, was devastated by floods just two years ago, triggered by melting glaciers. Experts warn that as much as 65 percent of the glacial ice in the region may melt in the coming decades, posing a dire threat not just to Pakistan but to the entire South Asian region.
With the situation in Pakistan and India worsening rapidly, the two countries are both underscoring the urgent need for financial support from developed nations.
The countries along with other developing nations are emphasising that while they contribute minimally to global carbon emissions, they face outsized climate challenges. The Pakistani delegation has called for more robust funding through mechanisms like the Loss and Damage Fund, which would help countries like Pakistan address climate-induced disasters. In response to the country's struggles, Pakistan has also launched initiatives such as the Living Indus Initiative, aimed at improving water conservation and agricultural sustainability, crucial for building long-term climate resilience.
On the Indian side at COP29, the government has highlighted the country’s vulnerability, advocating for greater climate finance from wealthier nations to support the Global South. India has stressed the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change and pointed to its efforts in renewable energy, particularly through the International Solar Alliance.
From the burning of crops to the melting glaciers, experts say the path forward will require unprecedented cooperation and commitment to reduce pollution and tackle the broader climate threats looming over the subcontinent.
The question remains whether the discussions at COP29 will lead to meaningful, coordinated action that can mitigate the impacts of climate change and pollution in South Asia. With Donald Trump, who dismisses warnings of impending environmental catastrophe as “lunatic” and calls climate change “a hoax,” nobody’s placing any bets.
