MP Urges Strong Political Will to Combat India's Severe Air Pollution Crisis
An MP highlights the urgent need for political commitment and social will to tackle India's worsening air pollution, citing Delhi's poor air quality and various contributing factors.
Photo by Ravi Sharma
त्वरित संशोधन
Delhi's air quality often falls to 'severe' levels
PM2.5 and PM10 levels are critical indicators of air pollution
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a government initiative to reduce air pollution
Stubble burning, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust are major contributors to air pollution
दृश्य सामग्री
India's Air Pollution Hotspots & Contributing Regions
This map highlights Delhi-NCR as a severe air pollution hotspot and identifies key surrounding regions contributing to the crisis, such as states known for stubble burning. It underscores the multi-regional nature of the challenge.
Loading interactive map...
परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Environmental Acts & Policies: Air Act 1981, EPA 1986, NCAP, GRAP.
Constitutional Provisions: Article 21 (Right to Life), Article 48A (Protection and Improvement of Environment), Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty to protect environment).
Pollutants & Health Impacts: PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SOx, Ozone, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, economic burden.
Governance & Federalism: Role of CPCB, SPCBs, inter-state cooperation (e.g., stubble burning across states), center-state coordination.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Economic Impact: Loss of productivity, healthcare costs, impact on tourism.
Technological Solutions: EV promotion, cleaner industrial tech, waste-to-energy.
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
An MP recently voiced deep concern over India's escalating air pollution crisis, particularly in Delhi, during a parliamentary session. The MP emphasized that despite existing policies like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), a lack of strong political and social will is hindering effective action. The discussion highlighted the severe health and economic impacts of pollution, with Delhi's air quality often plummeting to "severe" levels.
Key contributors like stubble burning, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust were identified. The MP stressed the need for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach, including better implementation of existing laws and greater public participation, to address this critical environmental and public health challenge.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): 1. It aims to achieve a 20% to 30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. 2. The programme covers all cities and towns across India, irrespective of their pollution levels. 3. It is a statutory programme under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: A
Statement 1 is correct. NCAP aims for a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. Statement 2 is incorrect; NCAP focuses on 131 non-attainment cities identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) based on ambient air quality data. Statement 3 is incorrect; NCAP is a programmatic intervention, not a statutory programme under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. With reference to air pollution in India, consider the following statements: 1. Stubble burning primarily contributes to the increase in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and black carbon. 2. Vehicular emissions are a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ground-level ozone (O3) formation. 3. Industrial emissions, particularly from thermal power plants, are major contributors to sulfur dioxide (SO2) and heavy metals. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- A.Only one
- B.Only two
- C.All three
- D.None
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
All three statements are correct. Stubble burning releases large amounts of particulate matter, black carbon, and other pollutants. Vehicular emissions are a primary source of NOx, which reacts in the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone. Industrial emissions, especially from coal-fired power plants, are major sources of SO2 and various heavy metals.
3. Which of the following statements correctly reflects the constitutional and legal framework for environmental protection in India, particularly concerning air pollution?
- A.The 'Right to a clean environment' is explicitly mentioned as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- B.The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, mandates the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to coordinate activities of State Pollution Control Boards and lay down standards for air quality.
- C.Environmental protection is listed exclusively under the Union List, giving the Central Government sole legislative power over air pollution control.
- D.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental protection, but its jurisdiction does not extend to cases under the Air Act, 1981.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
A) is incorrect. The 'Right to a clean environment' is not explicitly mentioned but has been interpreted by the Supreme Court as implicit in the Right to Life (Article 21). B) is correct. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, established the CPCB and SPCBs and empowers the CPCB to coordinate state activities and set air quality standards. C) is incorrect. Environmental protection falls under the Concurrent List (Entry 17A - Forests, Entry 20A - Population Control and Family Planning, and general powers under Entry 17 - Public Health and Sanitation), allowing both central and state governments to legislate. D) is incorrect. The NGT Act, 2010, specifically lists the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, among the seven environmental laws under its jurisdiction.