English 
Français THE HIMALAYAS ARE VISIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS THANKS TO A DROP IN POLLUTION
India, with its population of 1.4 billion, has been in lockdown since 24 March 2020 as part of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. This situation has led to a drastic reduction in pollution across the country, where the peaks of the Himalayas are now visible from up to 200 kilometres away.
It would appear that the lockdowns imposed in several countries around the world to limit the spread of Covid-19 are having an impact not only on our health, but also on that of our planet Earth
For some, it had been 30 years since they last saw it.
Residents of northern India have shared several photos on social media showing the Himalayas… from a distance of 200 kilometres.
Since 24 March 2020, the world’s second most populous country (1.4 billion inhabitants) has been in lockdown. The shutdown of factories and the halt in traffic have drastically reduced pollution levels.
The Central Pollution Control Board of India has stated that the lockdown has led to a significant improvement in air quality, reports The Independent. Air quality is said to have improved by 33% across the country between 16 and 27 March. India is the country where the most people die each year due to pollution.
According to figures from the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, 2.3 million people die each year in India due to pollution, whether from air, water or occupational sources.
This improvement has been captured in images, where the smog has gradually given way to the contours of the “Abode of Snow”, which has never been more aptly named.
Residents of northern India are sharing rare photos of the Himalayas, visible from 200 kilometres away
© Flick / Silke
Himalaya mountains can be seen from Jalandhar since pollution has reduced in Punjab. Beautiful sight 😍#punjab #COVID19 #pollution pic.twitter.com/iZy7hwxX9R
— TjSingh (@covsinghtj) April 3, 2020
The same mountains from my home 😍 #Nozoom pic.twitter.com/4zHwyoMp4R
— Som Dutt (@abbupanditvlogs) April 3, 2020
« Je n'aurais jamais pu imaginer que cela soit possible… une preuve évidente de l'impact que la pollution que nous créons a sur la Terre », a tweeté l'ancien joueur de cricket indien, Harbhajan Singh.
Une vue incroyable pour ces habitants de la ville de Jalandhar.
Beauty of nature💫In the Rooftop of jalandhar city🙏🏻Pollution Free Environment🌈 Amazing Visibility of Dhauladhar Range , Himachal Pardesh ,Mountains covered with Snow✨ pic.twitter.com/faz98H8uED
— Kiran Jagota (I am Modi ka Pariwar) (@KiranJagota) April 3, 2020
The lockdown in India has been in place until 14 April, but is almost certain to be extended beyond that date. Odisha, a state in the east of the country, has already announced the extension of its lockdown until 30 April 2020.
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