Geographical analysis

Abstract

Abstract The environmental profiles methodology assesses environmental indicators that reflect impacts occurring globally, regionally, and locally – in the air, in water and on the land, impacting human and the environment. The environmental problems in India are more health and livelihood threatening in nature. Air pollution, soil degradation, deforestation, desertification, shrinking wetlands, inadequate public health and sanitation, indoor pollution in rural areas, growing water scarcity, falling ground water tables, lack of minimum flow in rivers, and over extraction of water for irrigation. Davanagere was once the hub of industries in Karnataka, but it bad roads have now brought it the ignominy of being a highly polluted city in the state. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Pollution Database released recently, Davanagere has crossed permissible limits of air pollution, and the increasing air pollution will have a severe impact on the health of people in the years to come if precautionary measures are not taken. The WHO report stated that particulate matter, PM10 is 75 micrograms in Davanagere, while it is 118 in Bengaluru and 36 micrograms in Hassan district. The report also indicates that the pollution in Hassan district is below permissible levels, in contrast to the alarming levels in Davanagere. According to sources in Davanagere District Pollution Control Board, the major reason for the increasing dust and air pollution is improper roads, especially in commercial areas, and improper footpaths. The permissible limit of the pollution control board at commercial areas is 100 microgram and the equipment installed at the Gandhi Circle records a minimum of 250 to 260 microgram every day, said the source. However, in residential areas, the pollution is well within the limits, as the per equipment installed at residential areas showing it’s around 80 micrograms. Environmentalist Gopal Goudar attributes the increase air pollution to cutting of tree in the name of development and the authorities concerned have started chopping of trees and constructing cement concrete roads. After cutting the trees, no step have been taken to plant new ones to control pollution. The number of vehicles in the district has also increased considerably, another factor for the pollution.

Keywords: Airpollution, Soil degradation, Deforestation, Desertification, Shrinking wetlands, Health and Sanitation, Indoor pollution.