Pune Air Action Hub, a coalition of civil society groups, researchers, medical professionals, and concerned citizens focused on improving Pune's air quality, has written to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) urging critical updates and additions to the city's annual Environment Status Report (ESR).
While acknowledging the PMC’s ongoing efforts in regularly publishing the ESR, the group has identified significant gaps that need to be addressed in future reports.
A primary concern raised by the Hub is the exclusion of data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) air pollution monitoring systems.
Currently, the ESR incorporates data from only a limited number of air quality monitors. The Pune Air Action Hub advocates for a more comprehensive approach that includes all monitoring data from these Pollution Control Boards to provide a complete and accurate assessment of Pune's air quality, in line with the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) standards.
The group also highlighted the need for detailed data on tree cutting and transplantation, reflecting concerns over the widespread felling of trees in the city.
The Hub has requested the inclusion of information on tree cutting, transplantation efforts, and compensatory plantations, specifically focusing on survival rates and the species of trees planted.
Sharmila Deo, a member of the Pune Air Action Hub, stated, "We have also requested the inclusion of data on the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), crematorium emissions, waste burning, fuel consumption and emissions, forest fires, electric mobility initiatives, traffic management, and vehicle registration data in the ESR."
Pushkar Kulkarni, another Hub member, expressed optimism that these recommendations would be taken into consideration to enhance the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the ESR, ultimately contributing to better environmental management practices in Pune.
