India, Dec. 21 -- The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) on Saturday has issued a strict advisory prohibiting the burning of open fires across the city.

The advisory comes in response to multiple instances from December this yearwhere security personnel were found lighting fires in open areas to keep warm, a practice which according to civic officials, significantly worsens air pollution and poses health risks.

MCG officials said that the burning of waste, wood, dry leaves or any other material in the open contributes directly to a spike in particulate matter, leading to a sharp rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI). Such activities, they added, have an adverse impact on public health, especially on children, elderly and those suffer...