Question

Find out some instances of environmental pollution from your region. Discuss. You can also have a poster exhibition of all your findings.

Answer 1

The local instances of environmental pollution are as follows:

• Mithi River and Coastal Water Pollution: The Mithi River acts as an open drain due to the direct discharge of untreated industrial effluents, sewage, and plastic waste. This has devastated local marine life along the Mumbai coast and directly affected the livelihoods of traditional Koli fishing communities.
• Deonar Landfill and Solid Waste Crisis: The massive open dumping ground at Deonar experiences frequent, uncontrollable toxic fires. This releases hazardous smoke containing dioxins, leading to severe respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis for thousands of residents living in neighbouring areas like Shivaji Nagar and Chembur.
• Chembur-Mahul Industrial Air Pollution: Known historically as a pollution hotspot, this region faces heavy chemical emissions from refineries, fertiliser plants, and power stations, creating a toxic “gas chamber” environment for the local urban poor resettled in the area.
• Urban Noise Pollution: Unregulated construction activity, festive loudspeakers, and heavy vehicular honking push local decibel levels far beyond safe permissible limits, causing chronic stress and sleep disturbances.