Hale and hearty youngsters collapsing and dying of stroke. Expecting mothers losing their unborn child, young children below 10 years of age facing respiratory and asthmatic health issues- the deteriorating air quality and its far reaching impacts on the most vulnerable are not unknown. Yet, consistent action to combat air pollution on priority is lacking. 

Air Pollution is one of the top 5 reasons for death, this silent killer kills 13 people every minute, accounting for more than three times the amount of people who die from malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined each year. India is feeling the heat of a pressing crisis due to rising toxicity in the air we breathe. We shouldn’t wait to lose our loved ones in order to take action.

As a citizen, I feel it is my duty to speak out for the sake of my own health, and that of every single person. That is why I have started this petition. 

I am also a part of the Bengal Clean Air Network (Bengal-CAN), a network of key stakeholders concerned about the degrading air quality in the State. We have come up with a Clean Air Manifesto for the 2021-2026 period. 

Through my petition, I am urging all political parties to address the pressing issue of air pollution in the state by creating state policies and committing to reduce air pollution by 30 percent by 2024 (as targeted by NCAP, of MOEFCC) and include this agenda in their political manifestos. 

As citizens, we must urge the political leadership to strongly move in the right direction so that development comes in balance with environmental security. 

The following key points are included in the Clean Air Manifesto:

• Develop sustainable mobility plans for Kolkata and other major cities - remove all cycle restrictions, promote trams and Electric Vehicles.

• Mandate waste segregation in all Urban Local Bodies.

• Develop more green corridors and enforce regulations for forest covers and biodiversity corridors.

• Low carbon-footprint lifestyle and Promote environment education in school and college curriculums

• Reduce emissions by 30% of the current air pollution levels by 2024

Kindly show your support by sharing and acknowledging this manifesto and build a sustained dialogue for clean air so that we can build safe breathing spaces for all. I, therefore, request you to sign the petition and help this bold initiative to build strong voices for a sustained future of ours and our children's health. 

Read the full manifesto here - https://bit.ly/bengalcan-citizen-cleanair-manifesto2021

#cleanairmanifesto 

#voteforcleanair