On February 4th, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), successfully conducted a webinar focusing on the critical intersection between waste management and air quality. The session brought together over 100 participants, including Sanitary Inspectors (SIs), Deputy Sanitary Inspectors (DSIs), PMC officials, and concerned citizens, to discuss collaborative paths toward a cleaner Pune.

The "Breathless Pune Photo Exhibition," organized by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), served as a powerful initiative to bring the stark realities of air pollution to the forefront of public consciousness. Through compelling photography and evidence-based information, the exhibition provided citizens with an immersive look at the air quality crisis currently facing our city.

The workshop began with the President of Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ), Brijmohan Patil welcoming the speakers and the audience. He noted that the first workshop with the journalists on air quality had happened in the year 2022, and such workshops helped to strengthen the understanding of the reporters on technical issues like air quality. A context setting was done by Ranjit Gadgil who highlighted the importance of conducting this media workshop, noting that well-informed reporting helps connect technical data to citizens’ everyday experiences, ultimately improving public accountability.

Dr. Ritu Parchure, Fellow, Prayas Health Group, spoke about the health impacts of air pollution. She reiterated that it is a critical matter requiring urgent attention as it affects almost everyone in varying degrees. She discussed how the pollutants enter the bloodstream through the lungs and cause a host of disorders like heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, affects the reproductive and neurological system, and even affects the fetus and newborn babies, apart from respiratory issues like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), asthma, etc. She explained how the Air Quality Index (AQI) is generated and emphasized that health risks start even when the Air Quality Index (AQI) moves from “Good” to “Satisfactory”.

On account of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, Parisar and Prayas organised an interactive session for 40 ASHA workers from the Kothrud and Shivajinagar area. The session was organised at Indradhanushya Centre for Citizenship on 4th September at 10:30 am.

The session was designed keeping in mind the profile of these health workers and emphasis was making it more interactive and building on the knowledge and experience that they have as health care workers. In fact, this group was chosen keeping in mind the potential they have in disseminating health related information to households. The intention is to engage with this group consistently to develop a better understanding of air quality and further explore if and how air quality information can be disseminated by them along with the other health messages and awareness that they deliver.