Delhi Pollution: Meet Peter Singh and Neeno Kaur, who maintain indoor AQI of 10-15 as air quality deteriorates; here is the tutorial | Today’s news
As Delhi continues to battle toxic air, one house in the nation’s capital is drawing attention for maintaining an indoor air quality index (AQI) of around 10-15. The residents, Peter Singh and Neeno Kaur, have created a green living space with around 15,000 plants, filtered air and an aquaponic farming system.
The couple’s house has once again come under the spotlight amid worsening pollution in Delhi-NCR, where restrictions under Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remain in place.
According to a report in India Today, the couple have created a clean air ecosystem in their home that uses air filtration, extensive greenery and a system that allows them to grow most of their own food.
Who are Peter Singh and Neeno Kaur?
Peter Satwant Singh, 81, and his wife Neeno Kaur, 72, are Delhi-based urban farmers who live in Sainik Farms in South Delhi. The couple moved to the locality in 1989, after Neeno was diagnosed with chronic leukemia and needed treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), according to The Week.
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Their journey to sustainable living began with Neena’s health problems. After chemotherapy affected her lungs, the couple researched ways to improve their environment and adopted an organic lifestyle. They later developed a large-scale home farming system using aquaponics, which combines fish farming with soilless plant cultivation.
Singh holds a PhD in topology in mathematics from St Stephen’s College in Delhi, according to the Hindustan Times. The couple describe themselves as urban farmers and also run online courses to share their knowledge of aquaponics, growing vegetables and composting.
How Peter Singh and Neeno Kaur keep the indoor AQI at 10-15
The couple’s home at Sainik Farms in South Delhi has around 15,000 plants that form a major part of its green ecosystem. Their approach combines traditional building techniques, indoor greenery and systems designed to reduce dependence on external resources.
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A 2024 report by The Better India said the house maintained an AQI of around 15. It also pointed out that the couple uses aquaponics, a method that combines fish farming with soilless plant growing.
Their aquaponic setup includes four large aquariums. Nutrient-containing water from the aquariums is circulated to plants that absorb the nutrients and help filter the water before it is returned to the tanks. The system reportedly uses around 1,000 liters of water per day, with the water being recycled.
The couple also grows vegetables, corn and herbs at home. Kitchen waste is turned into organic fertilizer, while rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling help reduce water waste.
Neeno’s health concerns were one of the reasons why the couple decided to change their lifestyle. The Better India said the initiative started after she was diagnosed with cancer. The couple subsequently focused on creating a healthier environment and growing organic food.
“We want to show that this is how we live. If we can do it, anyone can do it,” Neeno told The Better India.
Delhi Pollution: GRAP Phase III Restrictions in Force
The couple’s clean-air home stands in contrast to Delhi-NCR’s pollution. On Thursday, Delhi recorded an AQI of 321 at 7 am, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data cited by ANI. Several monitoring stations recorded values above 350.
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The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) launched Phase III GRAP across NCR on November 6, after the daily average AQI in Delhi reached 382. The commission said forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicated that air quality was likely to deteriorate to the “severe” category in the coming days.
Measure III. the stages include, in addition to measures in the first two stages, restrictions on non-essential construction and demolition activities. CAQM also called on residents to use cleaner transport, combine journeys, avoid coal and wood for heating and follow the guidelines for working from home and hybrid schools where possible.
