Guwahati: Concerned over growing air pollution in Guwahati and the broader climate change crisis, a special lecture was organised at Cotton University’s Alumni Hall on Saturday by the newly formed environmental collective Dharitri Surakshya Mancha, Assam (DSMA).
The programme aimed to initiate informed public discussion and break the prevailing indifference among both authorities and citizens towards the worsening air pollution in Guwahati. Several prominent academicians and medical professionals participated in the event and spoke in detail about the causes, impacts and possible solutions to the pollution crisis.
Speaking at the event, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) assistant professor Nyrvan Baishya delivered a talk on “Impact of Pollution on Health.” He said that the air quality in Guwahati remains at a worrying level nearly 90 per cent of the time.
“Extremely fine dust particles from construction activities and machinery, along with sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide, not only damage our lungs but also spread through the bloodstream to the brain and heart,” he said.
Baishya also warned that air pollution can adversely affect the growth of unborn children. As precautionary measures, he advised the use of N95 masks, installation of HEPA filters at home, and including antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids in daily diets.
A large number of citizens, journalists, students and environmental activists attended the event.
Another Speaker, Bijoy Sankar Goswami, associate professor at B. Borooah College, spoke on “Air Quality in Guwahati: Causes, Factors and Control Measures.”
He noted that Guwahati’s Air Quality Index (AQI) in Guwahati sometimes becomes worse than that of Delhi. According to him, the number of vehicles in the Guwahati city has increased sharply—from around 40,000 to nearly 1.2 lakh in the past five years—significantly contributing to pollution levels.
Dust from construction activities and smoke from coal used in hotels and restaurants have further worsened the situation, he said.
Goswami also pointed out that Guwahati has been identified as a “non-attainment city” under national air quality standards.
“The government has set a target of reducing dust emissions by 40 per cent by 2026. Measures such as using green nets at construction sites and large-scale tree plantation must be implemented seriously,” he added.
Rahul Mahanta, associate professor at Cotton University, presented a scientific analysis on the topic “Addressing the Interlinkage Between Climate Change and Pollution in Northeast India.”
He emphasised that climate change and air pollution are closely connected. “They are two sides of the same coin. Northeast India can be seen as a climate sentinel for the country, as the region is extremely sensitive in terms of geography and biodiversity,” he said.
Mahanta explained that black carbon deposition has accelerated the melting of Himalayan glaciers, which in turn is altering the nature of floods in the Brahmaputra basin. Instead of acting as an annual natural replenishment process, floods are increasingly turning destructive.
He also warned that rising tropospheric ozone levels are reducing the productivity of tea plants.
“We should not create a false choice between development and environment. Development must be planned by giving priority to environmental protection,” he said.
Mahanta further highlighted the role of temperature inversion in Guwahati, which traps pollutants close to the ground, and called for a scientific roadmap with better coordination among different government departments to tackle the crisis.
The meeting was chaired by Manorama Sharma, retired professor of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, while Rashmi Riya Gogoi moderated the programme.
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session in which participants actively engaged with the speakers. Advocate and noted writer Kishor Kr Kalita delivered the vote of thanks.
A large number of citizens, journalists, students and environmental activists attended the event.
The organisers—Mahesh Deka, Chief Convenor of DSMA, along with convenors Utpola Das, Anjuman Bhardwaj and Akash Das—thanked participants and pledged to continue working towards environmental protection in the state.
