The aim is pollution control, not theatre

The aim is pollution control, not theatre

Context:

The Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, a statutory body set up under the Environment Protection Act as well as the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), led the shift to compressed natural gas in Delhi, to reduce air pollution.

Introduction:

• The Supreme Court asked the Environment Ministry to come up with what is now called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Problems:

• Forecasting data were very poor.
• Due to poor infrastructure
• Governance crisis

What possibly makes the air of the capital so polluted?

• Burning of crops
• Weather pattern which brought winds from Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. This brought a lot of dust, huge wind storms which collided with the wind system coming from the east which was bringing moisture. The moisture locks in the dust and becomes a cloud.
• Emissions of pollutants from vehicles

How is air pollution measured in India?

• Air pollution is measured by many parameters, like CO and PM2.5
• India has come up with an Air Quality Index (AQI) to give an aggregate sense of the quality of air.
• The formulation of the index was a continuation of the initiatives under Swachh Bharat Mission envisioned by the present Prime Minister of India.
• There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
• The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.

What are the prime sources of air pollution in India?

Agricultural waste burning

• The burning of agricultural waste in three neighbouring states is responsible for the rise in Air Pollution levels in Delhi.
• Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are claiming to have taken several measures to discourage straw and stubble burning, but farmers say they have not received any assistance from their respective governments on an alternate method to clear the fields after the harvest

Industrial chimney wastes:

• There are a number of industries which are source of pollution.
• The chief gases are SO2and NO2.
• There are many food and fertilizers industries which emit acid vapors in air.

Thermal power stations:

• There are number of power stations and super thermal power stations in the country.
• The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is setting up four mammoth coal- powered power stations to augment the energy generation.
• The chief pollutants are fly ash, SO2 and other gases and hydrocarbons.

Automobiles:

• The Toxic vehicular exhausts are a source of considerable air pollution
• In all the major cities of the country about 800 to 1000 tonnes of pollutants are being emitted into the air daily, of which 50% come from automobile exhausts.
• The exhaust produces many air pollutants including un-burnt hydrocarbons, CO, NOx and lead oxides.

Way ahead:

• There is need to have proper data in order to integrate weather forecast with pollution monitoring.
• Need a better system and protocol in place to inform people about spiked pollution levels.
• Comprehensive plan should be put in place.
• Infrastructure to bring long-term and emergency measures.
• Need for clean fuel –gas or electricity.
• Need for proper governance system.