6 Aftermath of Industrial Pollution, Post COVID-19 …
163
average of February 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. PM2.5 level dropped up to 1.4 µg/m
3
in Wuhan and average decrease by 18.9 µg/m
3 in other 367 cities. The famous,
canal city of Venice, Italy also experienced a decrease of industrial discharge into
the canals which resulted in glittery water, found in March 2020. It has been reported
that the major rivers in India like Ganga and Cauvery have drastically improved the
purity of water. In Venice, the sea life is indulging again as the water canals have
cleared up. Environmental noise is another major source of discomfort to the people
and the nature causing health-related issues and affects the natural conditions of the
ecosystem [71]. But due to lockdown imposed by the government, which caused less
commercial activities and transportation hence resulted in considerable decrease in
the level of noise pollution in most cities in the world. Also some study explored
that lockdown has a heavy impact on the existing life form, specially giving wildlife
a never seen freedom. It is revealed that in human dominating areas or “rewinding” urban areas, free movements of wildlife like peacocks, flamingo, White House,
wild boar, sand dolphin have more frequent appearance. The air quality index is the
major measure which indicates the changes in the health of Mother Nature. Probably,
Mother Nature is trying to recover itself, when humans are not doing anything for it,
which might be the greatest contribution of human toward the nature.
One of the leading problem contributing to environmental toxicity is the recycling
of waste, which is now the major concern of interest in most countries [37]. Recycling
is an effective and useful way to drop pollution, conserve natural resources, and
save energy [63]. Due to the COVI-19 pandemic, many developed and developing
countries like the USA did not continue the waste recycling processes in most of their
cities, to stop the spreading of infection via recycling centers. Similarly, European
countries affected by this virus have also stopped their recycling of waste.
6.5 Conclusion
COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan about 8 months back infected several people
around the world, came out to be a blessing for nature and the environment, by
providing nature a short time to heal and recover itself. Because of this we understood
that the degradation caused by man to nature is not completely irreversible and this
has been witnessed by almost everyone for the last 3–4 months. This chapter is mainly
focused toward the changes that arise in nature during enforcement of lockdown. The
environment has started to heal itself as industries, transport, other small factories
have stopped their production, carbon emission rate has been reduced, air quality and
water quality has made unpredictable improvements. The air quality index of major
polluted cities, not only in India but also all across the world is now in two digits,
which reflects a modestly good quality of air. Satellite images of the atmosphere
also show a similar fashion of decrease in air pollution. The major rivers of India
like Ganga, Yamuna, etc., are now cleaner and are supporting numerous numbers
of aquatic lives. Aquatic ecosystem once again starts rejuvenating, beaches become
clean and there has been a significant reduction in the level of noise pollution during
163
average of February 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. PM2.5 level dropped up to 1.4 µg/m
3
in Wuhan and average decrease by 18.9 µg/m
3 in other 367 cities. The famous,
canal city of Venice, Italy also experienced a decrease of industrial discharge into
the canals which resulted in glittery water, found in March 2020. It has been reported
that the major rivers in India like Ganga and Cauvery have drastically improved the
purity of water. In Venice, the sea life is indulging again as the water canals have
cleared up. Environmental noise is another major source of discomfort to the people
and the nature causing health-related issues and affects the natural conditions of the
ecosystem [71]. But due to lockdown imposed by the government, which caused less
commercial activities and transportation hence resulted in considerable decrease in
the level of noise pollution in most cities in the world. Also some study explored
that lockdown has a heavy impact on the existing life form, specially giving wildlife
a never seen freedom. It is revealed that in human dominating areas or “rewinding” urban areas, free movements of wildlife like peacocks, flamingo, White House,
wild boar, sand dolphin have more frequent appearance. The air quality index is the
major measure which indicates the changes in the health of Mother Nature. Probably,
Mother Nature is trying to recover itself, when humans are not doing anything for it,
which might be the greatest contribution of human toward the nature.
One of the leading problem contributing to environmental toxicity is the recycling
of waste, which is now the major concern of interest in most countries [37]. Recycling
is an effective and useful way to drop pollution, conserve natural resources, and
save energy [63]. Due to the COVI-19 pandemic, many developed and developing
countries like the USA did not continue the waste recycling processes in most of their
cities, to stop the spreading of infection via recycling centers. Similarly, European
countries affected by this virus have also stopped their recycling of waste.
6.5 Conclusion
COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan about 8 months back infected several people
around the world, came out to be a blessing for nature and the environment, by
providing nature a short time to heal and recover itself. Because of this we understood
that the degradation caused by man to nature is not completely irreversible and this
has been witnessed by almost everyone for the last 3–4 months. This chapter is mainly
focused toward the changes that arise in nature during enforcement of lockdown. The
environment has started to heal itself as industries, transport, other small factories
have stopped their production, carbon emission rate has been reduced, air quality and
water quality has made unpredictable improvements. The air quality index of major
polluted cities, not only in India but also all across the world is now in two digits,
which reflects a modestly good quality of air. Satellite images of the atmosphere
also show a similar fashion of decrease in air pollution. The major rivers of India
like Ganga, Yamuna, etc., are now cleaner and are supporting numerous numbers
of aquatic lives. Aquatic ecosystem once again starts rejuvenating, beaches become
clean and there has been a significant reduction in the level of noise pollution during