Air pollution: Delhi government asks schools, parents to restrain children from outdoor activities

NEW DELHI: Keeping in view of the poor air quality, the Delhi government has issued a notice to all schools to restrict students from undertaking outdoor activities.

The parents have also been urged to keep their kids indoors.

Here's what the Directorate of Education circular says: "All the Heads of Govt., Govt. Aided & Unaided Recognized Schools under Directorate of Education are hereby directed to appeal to the parents of the students of the respective schools about the worrisome air pollution situation prevailing in and across Delhi and further to restrain their children from undertaking outdoor activities till severe pollution condition persists. Outdoor activities and exposure in polluted conditions could have long term detrimental effects on health of children. Therefore, parents may be requested to adopt preventive approach to safeguard their Child's health.”

The air quality in Delhi continues to remain poor. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 321 on Wednesday, which is considered as hazardous.

According to weather analysts, due to the low-speed northwesterly winds entering the national capital from Punjab and Haryana, where stubble burning has almost doubled over the last two days according to the satellite images, the national capital and the surrounding regions are likely to inhale toxins for a few more days more.

They also warned of return of a brief spell of smog-like situation towards November 24-25.

Dwarka area recorded an AQI of 191 points, Sir Fort 212 recored, ITO 197 and Shadipur recorded recorded an AQI of 244.

The World Air Quality Index project is a social enterprise project started in 2007. Its mission is to promote Air Pollution awareness and provide a unified Air Quality information for the whole world.

The National Green Tribunal on November 17 asked all state governments to submit a plan which will be enforced whenever pollution levels in the states are high. Pressing on the immediate need for such a plan, the NGT said that it should be filed within 2 weeks.

Those failing to file an action plan in two weeks will have to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh which will be deducted from the salary of the senior most responsible officer, the NGT said.