Chief Minister Forms High-Level Panel to Combat Air Pollution
A high-level panel has been formed by the Chief Minister to address and improve air quality.
Photo by Khrystyna Miskevych
त्वरित संशोधन
High-level panel formed by the Chief Minister to improve air quality.
Aims to implement both emergency measures and long-term solutions.
Emphasizes inter-departmental coordination.
Reflects government's commitment to tackling air pollution.
दृश्य सामग्री
Key Milestones in India's Air Pollution Governance
This timeline illustrates the evolution of India's policy and legal framework for environmental protection, providing context for the Chief Minister's recent decision to form a high-level panel to combat air pollution. It highlights major acts, programs, and judicial/international commitments.
India's environmental governance has evolved significantly from specific pollution control acts to comprehensive umbrella legislation and targeted national programs. The formation of a CM-led panel signifies a heightened state-level commitment, building upon decades of policy development and judicial interventions to address persistent challenges like air pollution.
- 1972Stockholm Conference on Human Environment (India's commitment to environmental protection)
- 1981Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act enacted
- 1984Bhopal Gas Tragedy (Catalyst for comprehensive environmental law)
- 1986Environment (Protection) Act enacted (Umbrella legislation)
- 2010National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act established (Specialized environmental court)
- 2015Paris Agreement on Climate Change (India's international commitments)
- 2019National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched by MoEFCC
- 2022NCAP targets revised (40% PM reduction by 2026)
- Current YearCM Forms High-Level Panel to Combat Air Pollution
परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Environmental Governance and Policy Implementation: Role of state governments, inter-departmental coordination, challenges in enforcement and policy coherence.
Specific Pollutants and their Impacts: Understanding the sources, health effects, and measurement of key air pollutants (PM2.5, Ozone, NOx, SOx, CO).
Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Knowledge of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, NCAP, GRAP, and relevant regulatory bodies like CPCB and CAQM.
Sustainable Development and Green Technologies: Balancing economic development with environmental protection, promoting public transport, renewable energy, and cleaner industrial practices.
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
A high-level panel has been constituted by the Chief Minister to tackle the pressing issue of air quality. This move comes amidst growing concerns over pollution levels, particularly in urban areas, which often reach alarming levels during certain seasons. The panel's mandate is likely to devise both immediate 'emergency measures' and long-term strategies to combat air pollution.
This typically involves coordinating efforts across various government departments, implementing stricter emission norms, promoting public transport, managing industrial and vehicular pollution, and addressing issues like stubble burning. The formation of such a panel signifies a governmental commitment to environmental governance and public health, recognizing that air pollution is a complex, multi-faceted problem requiring a concerted and sustained effort. It's a step towards ensuring cleaner air and better health outcomes for citizens.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. With reference to the recent formation of a high-level panel to combat air pollution, consider the following statements: 1. The panel's mandate is likely to include devising both immediate 'emergency measures' and long-term strategies. 2. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, empowers State Pollution Control Boards to lay down standards for emission of air pollutants from industrial plants and automobiles. 3. Stubble burning, a significant contributor to air pollution in certain regions, is primarily regulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, rather than the Air Act, 1981. 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: A
Statement 1 is correct as per the news summary, which explicitly mentions the panel's mandate to devise both immediate and long-term strategies. Statement 2 is correct. Section 17 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, empowers State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) to lay down standards for emission of air pollutants into the atmosphere from industrial plants and automobiles. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is a broader umbrella act, stubble burning, being a source of air pollution, falls under the purview of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, for its regulation and control. Orders and directives to curb stubble burning are often issued under both acts, but the Air Act is specifically designed for air pollution control.
2. Consider the following statements regarding common air pollutants and their characteristics: 1. Ground-level ozone is a primary pollutant directly emitted from sources like vehicular exhaust and industrial processes. 2. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks. 3. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas primarily formed from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. 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: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. Ground-level ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant, meaning it is not directly emitted but forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. Statement 2 is correct. PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) is particularly dangerous because its small size allows it to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and even enter the bloodstream, leading to various cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Statement 3 is correct. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is indeed a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and wood.
3. Which of the following statements correctly describes the 'Graded Response Action Plan' (GRAP) for air pollution?
- A.It is a set of emergency measures implemented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) only when AQI levels reach 'severe+' category.
- B.It is a framework of progressive actions to be taken across different Air Quality Index (AQI) categories to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
- C.It is a long-term strategy focused solely on reducing industrial emissions through technological upgrades and stricter norms.
- D.It is a voluntary program for states to adopt best practices in waste management to reduce air pollution from landfills.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: B
Option A is incorrect because GRAP is not solely implemented by CPCB; it involves various agencies and is triggered across different AQI categories, not just 'severe+'. Option B is correct. GRAP is an emergency action plan that specifies progressive actions for different levels of air pollution (based on AQI categories like 'Moderate to Poor', 'Very Poor', 'Severe', 'Severe+'). These measures include banning construction, restricting vehicular movement, closing industries, etc., and are implemented by various agencies in the NCR and adjoining areas. Option C is incorrect as GRAP is an emergency/short-term response mechanism, not solely a long-term industrial strategy. Option D is incorrect as GRAP specifically targets air pollution sources and is not primarily focused on waste management from landfills.