Context
Article talks about the recently released The State of Global Air 2017 study report conducted jointly by the Health Effects Institute and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation
Observations
- Particulate matter concentration is growing: Concentration of the most significant inhalable pollutant, fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less (PM2.5), has been growing in India
- Growth rate registered: The weighted national PM2.5 level estimated in the international report rose from 60 micrograms per cubic metre in 1990 (the acceptable limit) to 74 in 2015, with a steady rise since 2011
Effect of rising pollution
Premature death of an estimated 1.1 million Indians annually
Rising concentration indicates a failed policy
The rise in average annual population-weighted PM2.5 levels indicates that the Centre’s initiatives to help States reduce the burning of agricultural biomass and coal in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi have failed.
Problem of crop residues
Amount of crop residue produced annually: 500 million tonnes
Author states that although the role of crop residues in causing pollution is well known, little is being done in this regard by the government. Steps proposed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) to convert waste into useful products such as enriched fodder, biogas, biofuel, compost and so on have had little effect. Why? Because,
- Lack of supply of machinery: Government has not been able to supply affordable seeder machinery in sufficient numbers to eliminate the need to remove the straw
Other helpful steps
- Easy access to cheap solar cookers and biogas plants will also cut open burning, and help the rural economy
- Reliable distribution mechanism is also required so that only intended beneficiaries receive the benefits
