ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR UTTAR PRADESH?SHIRIN RAIS AND MD. ABDUS SALAMAbstract A number of interesting theories have emerged regarding the implications of pandemic Covid-19 on the world in terms of pollution, health statistics, economic cost etc. The healthcare sectors of even advanced and rich countries are completely puzzled over the causes, effects and treatment of this mysterious disease. The other side of Covid-19 is that the lockdown imposed during the first wave of Covid-19 had halted the industrial, transportation and other such economic activities which had influenced environmental indicators also. The present study assesses the impact of lockdown on purifying environment in Uttar Pradesh, which is the most populated state in India. The study found that there has been a reduction in the pollutant levels in most of the cities of Uttar Pradesh during lockdown period, thereby, improving environmental quality. Major reduction was observed mainly in PM2.5 and PM10. |