Bhogi: pollution control board to focus on north Chennai

This year, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) will focus on north Chennai to bring down pollution levels during Bhogi, Minister for Environment Thoppu N.D.Venkatachalam said on Monday.

Speaking at an awareness programme organised by the board, he said that the TNPCB has been recording pollution levels for over a decade. “Due to the TNPCB’s campaigns, pollution levels have come down, but many areas in north Chennai continue to carry on the old practice. We wish to change that,” he said.

TNPCB chairman K. Skandan said the burning of wastes caused respiratory distress and urged students to take home the message of a smoke-less festival.

V. Thangavelu, chairman,  State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, explained how the tradition of burning during Bhogi came about. Burning during the festival was common earlier since there was no mechanism for recycling, he added.