88.4% Children in West Bengal consider Air Pollution as a Threat

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air During Child Rights Week

Asansol, 17th Nov 2023: Concerned about the detrimental effects of air pollution on children and the associated rise in mortality rates and health issues especially during the winters, around 1500 children from four polluted cities viz. Kolkata, Durgapur, Bardhaman, Asansol took to the streets, advocating for their right to breathe clean air, in observance of Child Rights Week. The children came together for a peaceful walk to convey a powerful message of their right to breathe clean air. In a unique show to seek their right to breathe clean air, children from schools, youth from colleges and Child Rights based organizations of West Bengal took to the streets for a peaceful walk advocating their fundamental right to breathe clean air.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of clean air for the well-being of children and to emphasize their right to grow up in a healthy environment. These young children embarked on a symbolic journey, highlighting the need for collective action to address air quality issues. Through this peaceful walk,the children conveyed that access to clean air is not just a privilege but a fundamental right that must be safeguarded.

In Asansol, around 150 children came together for the Walk for Clean Air. The starting point was Sodepur AG Church School and the end point was Neamatpur Bazar. Schools from Asansol like Sodepur Boys Hindi Medium School, Sodepur Girls Bengali Medium School, Sodepur Girls Hindi Medium School, Sodepur Boys Bengali Medium School, SD Girls High School Dishergarh as well as organizations like Jhinuk Foundation, Kabita Memorial Foundation were part of the Walk for Clean Air.

Mr Vinay Jaju, Managing Director, SwitchON Foundation said, “An entire generation of children are in jeopardy , Our survey with children and youth show, that they are deeply concerned about air pollution , the solutions are in front of us, event children know it – It is time to come together for our future generation and secure their right to healthy clean air..”

Over the years experts have been saying that children are more vulnerable to pollution because their lungs are underdeveloped and their immune systems are weaker. And yet, nine out of 10 children around the world are breathing in toxins that exceed safe levels. Over the years, the situation has become critical, even global bodies like UNICEF have predicted that air pollution will become the leading cause of child mortality by 2050. However, all children should have the right to breathe clean air.

A flash survey was done by SwitchON Foundation on the Children and Youth perception of Air Quality in West Bengal. The survey was conducted among a total of 554 youth to assess their perceptions of air pollution. The study revealed that 88.4% of youths believe air pollution poses a significant threat to human health. It was found that 47.3% of youths consider vehicles as the primary contributor to air pollution, while 33.8% consider industries, followed by road dust, open waste and coal power plants. The study also revealed that 53% of male respondents and 52% of female respondents consider vehicular emissions as a significant concern for individuals aged 19 to 25, irrespective of gender. Among individuals aged 12 to 18, only females constitute a substantial proportion (6%) who identify bursting firecrackers as a primary cause of air pollution. This suggests a distinct gender-based trend in perception within this specific age group. The report shows that children under 12 years old consider landfills as the predominant source of air pollution which underscores the significance of waste disposal practices as a key concern.

The survey brought out the fact that youth actively advocate for government promotion of renewable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby directly alleviating the state’s air pollution situation. The youth endorsed mandatory environmental education in educational institutions, urging the government to embrace this vital strategy for effectively tackling and addressing the challenges posed by air pollution. Majority of the youth emphasized the significance of urging the government to prioritize eco-friendly transportation, including traditional cycles and modern electric vehicles.

The event featured heartwarming moments as children, accompanied by parents, teachers, and community members, came together in solidarity. Children carried banners and placards with messages advocating for clean air and the right of every child to live in an environment that nurtures their physical and mental well-being.

A school student attending the walk said, “I have seen my friends suffer from breathlessness, I have constant coughs and cold and can’t enjoy sports and playing outside. I don’t like the pollution and hence request citizens to take actions to tackle the increasing air pollution.”

Shri Manoranjan Mondal, Headmaster of Sodepur Boys Bengali Medium High School Asansol said, “Our Children are the future of our existence and we adults have the responsibility to listen to their appeal to act against air pollution. The walk for Clean Air along with SwitchON Foundation enabled my students to unite for Clean Air.”

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