In the last issue of Gobar Times (1-15 July, 2009) we had asked our readers to share their opinions on what we, as individuals, and India, as a nation, need to do to monitor and check the menace of Urban Air Pollution. We were overwhelmed with the response. Here are some samples of the ideas that GT readers came up with… I am from Indore M. P. Besides EHS Consultants, which is a proprietorship concern of mine, I have an NGO called DISHA (Developing Innovations to Sustain Human Ability). I have following to share - I have ambient air sampling equipment and am noise monitor and ready to measure air we breathe in Indore and around. I can also conduct social surveys in the areas to understand the concern of people towards increasing pollution and suggestions, if any. — Dr. Manish Chandekar via email I observe that in my area a lot of waste is generated and burnt. For example, I live in Kagadaspura, Bangalore, there was a lake in this area. Now partially it is converted to residential area with lots and lots of apartments. People deposit huge collection of wastes, and twice in a week they burn those, creating huge air pollution! If there are some conversion of waste to energy mechanism, we should use that to avoid unnecessary pollution. — Singaravel via email These are my views to reduce the air pollution as the following: To reduce the automobiles by increasing public transport and by promoting cycles for short distance travel. Cyclists should be given some benefits in tax rates or similar. To observe automobile holiday in a week barring for emergency vehicles. To make Environmental audit mandatory for Industries. To promote the Green Building movement on mass scale. Indian model and conditions should be made applicable instead of aping the west. Environment as a subject should be taught in primary and secondary sections in schools. — Mukesh Shah via email The first step all of us can take is to use public transport as much as possible. This is something that all of us can do right away unless you don’t have access to public transport. Emission from cars is one of the biggest sources of air pollution. — Sunil Singh via email The easiest and cheapest answer is to DECENTRALISE. Simple! Instead of developing mega cities like Delhi, we must let the rural areas prosper, so that no congestion takes place.  Also shorter commuting time to reach offices will reduce fuel consumption. We can afford to live in better houses in villages instead of cramped flats in cities, where 24X7 artificial light and temperature control by air conditioner is also not required. Further saving energy.   — Sharad via email The way it is presently designed and regulated, we would never ever be able to solve automobile pollution problem. The only solution that appears to me is  each stake holder in automobile lifecycle must bear their share of responsibility. Manufacturers: For PUC capable technology, back up components, spares and monitoring workshops. Workshops: The vehicle must be thoroughly checked for PUC before leaving the workshop. The vehicle owner is accountable only to the extent of timely periodic servicing. All roadside ( mostly fake PUC) shops must be ordered to shut shop. The main responsibility should shift to workshop and manufacturers of cars. They are the ones who know whether technology they are selling is capable and common citizen are not geared to learn the levels of emission that are permissible. Yet we are held responsible this only can generate fake fixes and shortcuts..... never a solution. — Ravindra via email The way out for us is To use mass transit systems like metros; To wear a face mask with assisted air or Oxygen supply from a cylinder in a ruck sack on the back; Ask an expert in  statistics to find the reduction in life span in  hours by exposure to polluted air and then identify the exposure source Discover a sweet which may filter the air before it goes into the lungs. Most of those working in mining and other similar indusries without control over  Indoor air quality (IAQ) take jaggery to absorb the partiulcate matter which results in continuous coughing. OR in good humour wish for the exhaustion of the oil reserves as fast as possible. — Bhupinder Singh via email The practical ways and means not to pollute are to ensure availability of GOBAR in all Indian villages and to establish BIOGAS PLANTS for cooking and to use the digested slurry for the preparation of vermicompost using earthworms and to supply to kitchen gardeners. As for the cities, BIOGAS CYLINDERS have to replace LPG CYLINDERS to sustain the purity of environment. It is also possible to produce Bio-Compressed Natural Gas from biogas for use in automobiles. Please check for details the website: http:// www.novem.nl/. Also contact PMV Subba Rao, Mechanical Engineering Dept., Centre for Rural Development Technology, IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-16. — Kunuthur Srinivasa Reddy via email Some thought provoking words from The Earth Song, composed and written by MJ himself. What about the seas? ...What about us? The heavens are falling down ...What about us? I can't even breathe ...What about us What about the bleeding Earth? ...What about us? Can't we feel its wounds? ...What about us? What about nature's worth? It's our planet's womb ...What about us? What about animals? ...What about it? We've turned kingdoms to dust ...What about us? What about elephants? ...What about us? Have we lost their trust? ...What about us? What about crying whales? ...What about us? We're ravaging the seas ...What about us? What about forest trails? Burnt despite our pleas ...What about us? Someone tell me why? ...What about us? What about babies? ...What about it? What about the days ...What about us? What about all their joy ...What about us? What about the man ...What about us? What about the crying man ...What about us? What about Abraham ...What was us? What about death again Do we give a damn!