1 of 16

Media Dossier

93.4% Children in Jharkhand consider Air Pollution a Threat

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air

25 November 2023 , Ranchi Jharkhand

2 of 16

Details

Children from Ranchi took to the streets, concerned about the detrimental effects of air pollution on them and the associated rise in mortality rates and health issues especially during the winters, advocating for their right to breathe clean air. The children came together for a peaceful walk to convey a powerful message of their right to breathe clean air. In Ranchi, more than 200 children came together for the Walk for Clean Air. The starting point was Govt. Middle School and the end point was Kokar Chowk. Schools from Ranchi like Rajkiya Prathmik Vidyalaya Kokar Union, G.P.School, Kokar and many other govt. and private schools as well as organizations like Human Rights Safety Organization were part of the Walk for Clean Air.

A flash survey was done by SwitchON Foundation on the Children and Youth perception of Air Quality in Jharkhand. The survey was conducted among a total of 572 youth to assess their perceptions of air pollution. The study revealed that 93.4% of children and youths conveyed the belief that air pollution represents a substantial threat to human health. It was found that the youth population perceives vehicles and industries as prominent factors of air pollution in their localities, with 44.4% pointing to vehicles as the primary cause.

The survey brought out the fact that youth actively advocate for government promotion of renewable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby directly alleviating the state's air pollution situation. The youth endorsed mandatory environmental education in educational institutions, urging the government to embrace this vital strategy for effectively tackling and addressing the challenges posed by air pollution. Majority of the youth emphasized the significance of urging the government to prioritize eco-friendly transportation, including traditional cycles and modern electric vehicles.