(IN) West Bengal - Rainforest Action Network

July 3, 2008

mate-change/

From Sudipta:

The speakers while addressing the audience expressed their grave concern over

the growing environment pollution in West Bengal. They expressed disappointment

and ventilated their grievances over the indifferent attitude and reluctance of

the West Bengal Government to take appropriate action to prevent environmental

pollution. They urged the people to be united and raise their voices in protest

against the inaction of the state government in implementing the court’s order

to reduce vehicles emissions. They said the state government has, however,

failed to contribute in a big way in curbing pollution and phasing out old and

polluting vehicles. They expressed apprehension that if global warming is not

checked and the sea level continues to rise at its present rate, an area of 100

sq km covering Kolkata, Hooghly, parts of North 24 Parganas, Midnapore, Nadia,

entire South 24 Parganas would be submerged in the next 50 years. They said

vehicular pollution has hit photosynthesis of plants robbing the city of

precious oxygen. Kolkata is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts. For

a city that often experiences intense cyclonic activity, the rising sea level is

a big threat.The Sundarbans is already a victim of rising sea level. On an

average, 2.5mm of the Sundarbans is sinking annually due to erosion,

deforestation, and destruction of Mangrove forests. They said the city’s highly

polluted air is leading to the growing number of lung cancer patients. Kolkata’s

air pollution results from the horribly high level of auto emissions, which the

authorities have failed to control so far. If this is not checked with a heavy

hand, the impact on the health of Kolkatans, particularly children, will be

devastating.

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