Individuals have limited options to reduce exposure to air pollution. But a collective effort can tackle the problem. And for a sustained attempt to solve this existential crisis, it will need more than high-AQI-induced seasonal media coverage. That’s why we have launched the Fight To Breathe.

We cannot do this alone. Apart from several easy ways in which the campaign will be driven by the public, Newslaundry has also roped in experts to be part of an advisory panel. They will stay in touch with our editorial team to give feedback and guide our reportage. So that no blind spots remain in this pitched battle.

Their expertise ranges from public health and environmental law to emission standards and air policy. Let’s take a look:

Environmental health expert

Dharmesh Shah is a consulting senior campaigner with the Centre for International Environmental Law’s environmental health programme. He primarily works on strategy and coordination for efforts to deliver an effective global plastics treaty. He has worked before as an affiliate and independently with Indian and global organisations focussed on biodiversity, air pollution, chemicals and toxics, hazardous waste, and plastic pollution.

Environmentalist

Vimlendu Jha is the founder director of Swechha, a Delhi based environmental group, and is one of the leading environmental voices in the country, especially on issues of water and air. Having served on various national and international boards and advisory groups such as the Ridge Management Board, UNEP, British Council, Gitls Count, and many others, his views and expertise is often sought by various Institutions. He is a prolific campaigner and also has made several award winning documentaries on environmental issues.

Emissions expert

Sunil Dahiya is the founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts – an organisation driving solutions at the intersection of environment, energy, and health through data, research and collaboration. He played a key role in the civil society momentum that led to India’s National Clean Air Programme. He is a leading expert and advocate for reducing absolute emission load across major polluting sectors—such as power, transport, and industry—through an innovative airshed approach aimed at achieving clean, breathable air.

Environmental law expert

Sanjay Upadhyay is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court and was the founder of the Enviro Legal Defence Firm, India’s first environmental law firm. He has been practicing environment and development law since 1993 and has worked as an expert before with several global and national institutions such as the World Bank, IUCN, UNDP, AFD, DFID, ILO, SDC, IC, IIED, ODI, WWF, Green Peace, HBF, TERI, WINROCK, MOEF, MOPR, MOTA, MNRE, IIFM, ICFRE, IEG, WII, IIPA, NIRD, and University of Cambridge.

Former bureaucrat

Brijesh Kumar is the former CEO of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority and was an IAS officer from the UP cadre’s 1968 batch. He has served in various significant roles, including as the managing director of Air India, chairman of Indian Airlines, and joint secretary (civil aviation).

Air policy expert

Manoj Kumar is an India analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). His work primarily focusses on policies linked to air pollution and their impact on health. His experience includes monitoring air quality, composition analysis, source identification, and assessing the health impacts of air pollution

Environmental entrepreneur

Jai Dhar Gupta is the founder of Nirvana Being, which specialises in clean air solutions. Jai is passionate about clean energy and has developed businesses in wind and solar energy space in India. A victim of North India’s air pollution, he has developed a portfolio of clean air solutions to protect people from pollution. 

Pulmonologist

Dr GC Khilnani is the chairman of PSRI institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. With over 41 years of experience in the field, he was previously a professor and head of the department of pulmonary medicine and sleep disorders at AIIMS, New Delhi. He is a leading expert on pulmonary health, and has helped spread awareness about the health effects of Delhi’s air pollution. 

Paediatric nephrologist 

Dr Sanjeev Bagai is the chairman and managing director of Nephron Health Care in Delhi. A leading paediatric nephrologist, he is the editor of The International Paediatric Nephrology journal. He is also a member of several medical associations including the International Paediatric Nephrology Association, Indian Medical Association, Delhi Medical Association, Delhi Medical Council, Indian Academy Of Paediatrics, and Delhi Nephrology Society.

Senior journalist

Nivedita Khandekar is a senior journalist, writer and researcher with over 25 years of experience. She currently works with the Press Trust of India on the desk, and writes on environmental, developmental and climate change related issues, with a focus on Himalayas, rivers, waters, and tribal affairs. Her works have appeared in The Guardian, The Wire, Mongabay India, India Climate Dialogue, India Water Portal, among other publications. 

Clean air campaigner

Bhavreen Kandhari has led several campaigns for clean air and towards environmental justice. She cofounded Warrior Moms, a network of mothers campaigning for clean air. She also undertook the Our Kids’ Climate’s Climate Parent Fellowship in 2022-23 and is working – along with Parents For Future Global – to support parent-led and family-centred climate engagement work. Her campaigning is motivated by her twin daughters and her concerns about excessively polluted air in Delhi and India. 

#FightToBreathe is a collaborative campaign to tackle air pollution. We’re committed to this cause, even as we’ll continue to bring you ground reports, podcasts, video stories, interviews, shows and more. And we need your help.

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