GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO MITIGATE AIR POLLUTION IN INDIA

The Government of India has recently planned and implemented the following measures and programmes to tackle extreme cases of air pollution in India, especially in Delhi-NCR regions, and for creating awareness amongst the general population for prevention, and reduction of air pollution in the country.

1. National Clean Air Programme-

The Central Government had launched a National Clean Air Programme (Programme) to tackle the growing issue of air pollution across the country in a comprehensive manner which would help to achieve the target of 20%–30% reduction of concentration of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particles in air by 2024. Failing which these particles also have potential to be trapped in nose, mouth, throat and lungs of a body. So far, 102 cities mostly in Indo-Gangetic Plains have been identified for implementation of the Programme.

2. Comprehensive Action Plan and Graded Response Action Plan-

Further, the Central Government has planned to implement a Comprehensive Action Plan and a Graded Response Action Plan to prevent, control and mitigate air pollution in Delhi and NCR. Under the Graded Response Action Plan, the Delhi Government has re-implemented the Odd-Even Scheme, extended ban on diesel engine generators to Guragon, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Sonepat, Panipat, Bahadurgarh, etc.

3. ‘SAMEER’ App–

Also, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has launched ‘SAMEER’ App which provides hourly updates on the National Air Quality Index (AQI) and has also deployed 46 teams across the Delhi-NCR region to identify problem areas and catch polluting activities. The App also enables people to lodge a complaint against.

4. Environment Education, Awareness and Training Scheme-

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has planned to implement an Environment Education, Awareness and Training Scheme to promote environmental awareness amongst public that focus on promotion of cycling, water and electricity conservation, growing trees, reduce crowding on roads by carpooling, etc.

5. National Green Corps (NGC) Programme-

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, under the National Green Corps (NGC) Programme, around 1 lakh schools have been identified as eco-clubs, whereby, about thirty lakh students would be actively participating in environment protection and conservation activities.

The Central Government has thus taken the aforesaid measures for curbing air pollution, conserving the environment and also for creating awareness among the public to participate in such conservation programmes, where possible, and lodge complaints through social and digital media against any polluting activities.

Harini Daliparthy

Senior Legal Associate

The Indian Lawyer