By Napoleon S Mawphniang
The alarming air pollution crisis in Byrnihat demands our immediate and collective attention. As a concerned citizen who calls Meghalaya home, I am writing this statement, seeking your support and to call for urgent collective action to address what has become a public health emergency for our community.
On March 11, 2025, I formally petitioned Justice V. Ramasubramanian, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India, requesting urgent intervention to address the catastrophic air pollution crisis in Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya, under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. While this official appeal is a necessary step, I firmly believe that we cannot rely solely on regulatory bodies to save our community. We need grassroots action from all citizens of Meghalaya.
The Alarming Reality We Face
The gravity of our situation cannot be overstated. According to IQAir’s 2024 World Air Quality Report, Byrnihat has been identified as the most polluted metropolitan area globally, with annual average PM2.5 concentrations of 128.2 μg/m³—more than 25 times higher than the WHO’s recommended level of 5 μg/m³ and over three times higher than Indian ambient air quality standards1.
In January 2025 alone, Byrnihat recorded a shocking monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 214 μg/m³, with 21 days in the ‘Very Poor’ category, 9 days in ‘Severe’ category, and 1 day in ‘Poor’ category. These are not just statistics—they represent the air our children breathe every day, the air that is silently damaging the health of our community.
Health and Economic Impacts
The health impacts of this pollution crisis extend beyond mortality to include increased incidence of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and developmental issues in children. Scientific evidence has established strong associations between exposure to ambient air pollution and adverse health outcomes in India.
As one resident lamented, “Our water is polluted. The noise level from industries is also at its unbearable limits”, indicating that the environmental crisis extends beyond air pollution to affect multiple aspects of environmental health.
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A Call for Collective Action
While I have taken the step to appeal to the National Human Rights Commission, this crisis demands more than just official interventions. We need:
- Community Monitoring Networks: We need volunteers to help collect more evidence about pollution levels in different parts of Byrnihat and surrounding areas. This data will strengthen our case and help target interventions more effectively.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Let us organize awareness camps in schools, markets, and community centers to educate our people about the dangers of air pollution and protective measures they can take.
- Industrial Accountability: We must demand transparency from the 41 industrial units operating in our region. Which ones are complying with environmental norms? Which ones are not?
- Joint Citizen Petitions: Let us gather signatures from all affected communities to show the widespread impact of this crisis and the collective will to address it.
- Green Community Initiatives: Tree plantation drives, car-pooling systems, and waste management programs can all help reduce our local pollution footprint.
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Looking to the Future
This is not just about addressing an immediate crisis—it’s about securing the future of Byrnihat and all of Meghalaya for generations to come. The air our children and grandchildren will breathe depends on the actions we take today.
I invite all concerned citizens, environmental groups, health professionals, students, and community leaders to join this movement. Share your ideas, expertise, and time. Together, we can develop innovative solutions that reflect our unique local context and needs.
The time for action is now. As the pollution levels in Byrnihat continue to rise, each day of delay translates into increased suffering. Let us unite to reclaim our right to clean air and a healthy environment.
Together, we can save Byrnihat.
(The writer is an RTI activist and an advocate. He can be reached at mawphniangn@duck.com)
