Mangaluru: Anti-Pollution Driver (APD) Foundation, an NGO, in association with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), has set up four stations across the city to monitor air quality before and after Diwali festival.

Under the ‘Shuddha Gaali’ project, the foundation has set up air quality assessment stations at four places. The asssessment of air quality started on Monday. “We will assess the air quality on Tuesday and again on Thursday and Friday (after the festival),” said Abdullah A Rehman, the founder of APD Foundation.

“Of late, many people are celebrating Diwali without firecrackers considering the ill effects crackers on environment and health of the poeple. To motivate people to continue this trend, the foundation has planned three projects for the people. Firstly an eco-friendly Diwali celebration along with KSPCB that was held at Bearys Public School on Monday,” he said.

The second project is to assess the air quality to show the impact of firecrackers on environment. “This project will be supported by St George’s Homeopathy. We will be testing the air quality levels in four residential locations for two days starting today (Monday). Later, on Thursday and Friday, air quality will tested at the same locations,” he said adding that report of the air quality assessment will be submitted to the district administration, Mangaluru City Corporation and department of forest and environment.

In addition, the APD Foundation will also conduct an advocacy drive, he said. “We will be submitting a memorandum to the district commissioner appealing him to take five problems (child labour, untoward incidents, air and noise pollution, effect on mental health and improper disposal) that are caused by fireworks into consideration and take appropriate steps.