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    Plastic takes centuries to break down and during that time, it fragments into smaller pieces.
                     Marine animals, such as fish, often mistake these tiny plastic particles for food. Consuming plastic
                     can harm or even kill them. Plastics do not biodegrade instead, they break into microplastics,
                     which enter the food chain and can eventually end up in the food we eat.

                     How AI Helps

                     AI technology can support environmental protection  by examining  satellite  images  to find
                     locations heavily affected by plastic waste. For example, in 2023, the Department of Environment
                     Science  and Technology  (DEST)  used  satellite  imagery  to  detect  70 plastic  waste  dumps  in

                     Himachal Pradesh. This technology helps authorities and environmental organisations respond
                     more quickly and effectively, enabling them to remove plastic waste before it causes significant
                     harm to the environment.

                     Air Quality Problems

                     Air quality  problems occur when  harmful  gases
                     and particles mix with the air. This is mainly
                     caused  by vehicle emissions,  factory  smoke
                     and burning of fuels. Poor air quality can lead to
                     breathing problems and other health issues. It also
                     affects plants and animals. Using clean energy
                     sources, reducing vehicle use and planting trees
                     can improve air quality.
                     Think for a moment about the air you breathe every day. In many cities, the air is filled with
                     harmful pollutants released from vehicles, factories and the burning of crop residue in nearby
                     fields. During the winter season, pollution levels in some cities become extremely dangerous and
                     the Air Quality Index (AQI) often reaches hazardous levels. Across the world, millions of people
                     lose their lives each year because of air pollution.

                     Poor air quality affects everyone, but children and older people are the most vulnerable. It can
                     lead  to breathing  problems,  asthma  attacks  and disorders  related  to  the brain and immune
                     system. In children, polluted air may also reduce concentration, lower thinking ability and cause
                     mental tiredness. Students living in heavily polluted areas may struggle to focus on their studies,
                     which can negatively affect their academic performance.

                     How AI Helps

                     AI systems can study information collected from air quality stations in different parts of a city. By
                     looking at pollution levels and weather conditions, AI can predict when and where the air may
                     become more polluted. This helps authorities take action early, such as:

                       Asking schools to stop outdoor activities
                       Warning hospitals to get ready for more patients with breathing problems

                       Limiting vehicles in highly polluted areas for some time
                       Informing farmers about the right weather for stubble burning

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