PMO Orders New Pollution Study for Delhi-NCR, Emphasizes Dust Control
The PMO has directed a fresh study on Delhi-NCR's air pollution sources and emphasized dust control, citing concerns over outdated data.
Photo by Green Soul
त्वरित संशोधन
PMO directed CAQM and CPCB to expedite new emission inventory and source-apportionment studies.
Existing emissions data for Delhi-NCR was flagged as old by NGT.
Dust contributes significantly to particulate pollution.
Directions include a time-bound action plan for redevelopment of major urban and industrial roads, focusing on end-to-end paving and greening of road shoulders.
High-level task force meeting chaired by Principal Secretary to PM, PK Mishra, on October 23.
Meeting included secretaries from 8 departments and Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां
दृश्य सामग्री
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: PMO's Focus Area
This map illustrates the geographical scope of the Delhi-NCR region, which is the primary focus of the PMO's new pollution study directive. It highlights the National Capital Territory of Delhi and adjoining areas in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, which fall under the jurisdiction of bodies like CAQM for air quality management.
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परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Roles and mandates of statutory bodies like CAQM, CPCB, and NGT.
Concepts of emission inventory and source apportionment in environmental management.
Major air pollutants, their sources, and health impacts.
Relevant environmental legislation: Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Government initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Challenges of urban air pollution and governance issues in environmental protection.
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
Delhi-NCR is once again grappling with severe air pollution, and this time, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has stepped in. The PMO has directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to quickly conduct new emission inventory and source-apportionment studies. Why? Because the existing data on pollution sources is considered outdated, and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also flagged this issue.
Essentially, the PMO wants a clearer, up-to-date picture of what's causing the pollution so that more effective measures can be taken. A key focus is on dust control, especially for major urban and industrial roads, with directions for end-to-end paving and greening of road shoulders. This move highlights the government's recognition of the urgency and the need for data-driven policy to tackle this persistent environmental challenge.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the institutions involved in air quality management in India: 1. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas is a statutory body established under an Act of Parliament. 2. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was initially constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. 3. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has original jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial question relating to the environment is involved, irrespective of the specific environmental law. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1: CAQM was established by an Act of Parliament in 2021, making it a statutory body. So, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2: CPCB was indeed constituted in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and later entrusted with powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. So, statement 2 is correct. Statement 3: The NGT Act, 2010, grants the Tribunal original jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial question relating to the environment (including enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment) is involved. This covers various environmental laws listed in Schedule I of the Act. So, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
2. In the context of air pollution studies and management, consider the following statements: 1. An 'emission inventory' quantifies the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere from various sources over a specific period and geographical area. 2. 'Source apportionment' studies identify the relative contribution of different emission sources to the ambient air pollution levels at a receptor location. 3. Both emission inventory and source apportionment studies primarily focus on primary pollutants like PM2.5 and NOx, and do not include secondary pollutants. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Statement 1: An emission inventory is indeed a comprehensive listing, by source, of air pollutants released into the atmosphere over a specific period and region. So, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2: Source apportionment uses chemical and physical characteristics of airborne particles and gases to identify the contribution of different sources (e.g., vehicles, industries, biomass burning) to the total ambient air pollution. So, statement 2 is correct. Statement 3: While these studies are crucial for understanding primary pollutants, they also indirectly help in understanding the precursors to secondary pollutants (like VOCs and NOx for ozone formation) and can include secondary pollutants in their analysis of ambient air quality. The statement that they 'do not include secondary pollutants' is incorrect. So, statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
3. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding India's environmental legislation and initiatives?
- A.The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, empowers the Central Government to lay down standards for the quality of air.
- B.The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is an umbrella legislation enacted after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
- C.The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a legally binding framework that mandates specific emission reduction targets for all cities in India.
- D.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established to provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
A) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, indeed empowers the Central Government to lay down standards for the quality of air and control air pollution. So, statement A is correct. B) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is a comprehensive umbrella legislation enacted in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy to give powers to the Central Government to protect and improve the environment. So, statement B is correct. C) The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a long-term, time-bound national-level strategy to tackle air pollution across the country. However, it is a programmatic approach, not a legally binding framework, and it focuses on 131 non-attainment cities, not 'all cities in India'. So, statement C is NOT correct. D) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. So, statement D is correct. Therefore, the incorrect statement is C.