"Those who are making wealth through business operations are also contaminating water and polluting air. They should refrain from polluting the environment," Mr Gandhi said while speaking at a function organised by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board today. "The level of pollution is rising in the city because a large number of vehicles are plying on roads," he said. Expressing his concern for the rising pollution levels in the city, Mr Gandhi said efforts should be made to reduce the number of vehicles in the city.

Mr Gandhi said climate change is one of the greatest challenges the country has ever faced. "It not only threatens to change our life but also has a huge impact on health and human sufferings," he said. Mr KJ Nath president of Institution of Public Health and Engineers, said climatic change is taking place due to rapid deforestation and increase of green house gases.