RELEVANCE TO UPSC SYLLABUS: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND DEGRADATION; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

 

THE CONTEXT: Air pollution is a big menace for the city of Delhi which faces this issue annually. The problems with poor air quality usually attract attention during late autumn when stubble burning is at its peak in the states neighbouring the NCR. However, data shows that good or even moderately satisfactory air evades the capital’s residents for most parts of the year, especially in winter.

 REASONS:

• Crop Burning:Farmers of the states around Delhi carry out stubble burning which leads to generation of pollution and these pollutants are carried towards Delhi.
• Vehicular Emissions: Vehicle emissions contribute to the dangerous impacts of smog and air pollution. Due to the sheer volume of automobiles on the road, this is a significant source of pollution.
• Construction Dust: Increase in construction and other infrastructure work in the region has led to generation of construction dust, which acts as a pollutant.
• Industrial Pollution: Delhi-NCR’s industries have not embraced environmentally friendly fuels and methods. They emit harmful gases which cause pollution.
• Stagnant Winds: During winter months, the upward movement of air from the layers below is stopped which causes polluted air to be stagnant over the region. Due to stagnant winds, the pollutants generated in the area get trapped over the region which increases the chances of pollution to a great extent.
• Geographical Reason: As Delhi is land-locked from all sides, the north-westerly winds coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan bring in large amounts of dust particles to the region. Due to the presence of Himalayas, which block the escape route of the air, the dust and pollutants settle in the region.
• Lack in programme implementation: There is lack of effectiveness in programme implementation to tackle air pollution. For example, CAQM has not developed a synergy between the different bodies whose work is crucial to ensure clean air pollution. In 2019, the government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce pollution by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017. In 2022, the programme’s goalposts were shifted 40% reduction in pollution by 2026. Most independent studies show that progress under NCAP has been slow.
• Unutilised funds: Recently, Centre told Parliament that cities in Delhi-NCR have utilised less than 40 per cent of the funds allocated to curb air pollution.

RECENT STEPS TAKEN:

• Commission for Air Quality Management is monitoring agency set up in 2021 and it has imposed restrictions under phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• GRAP is a set of incremental anti-pollution measures that are triggered to prevent further worsening of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
• The implementation of Stage-III GRAP mandates immediate action on multiple fronts. The Sub-Committee decides to invoke 8 point action plan as per Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
• The anti-pollution steps under the 8-point action plan by the central commission are:

1. Intensify the frequency of mechanised and vacuum-based sweeping of roads.
2. Ensure daily water sprinkling, along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours on roads and pollution hotspots.
3. Intensify public transport services and introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
4. Enforce a strict ban on construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR, except essential projects.
5. Close down operations of stone crushers.
6. Close down all mining and associated activities in NCR.
7. Impose strict restrictions on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs.
8. Make a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to class 4 and conduct classes in an online mode.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Address Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) burning: A study found that Delhi burns 190 to 246 tons of MSW every day, which severely pollutes the air. Therefore, any form of garbage burning must be stopped and authorities need to develop infrastructure for effective collection and disposal of MSW.
• Promote the use of electric and BS-VI vehicles: On an average vehicle can contribute up to 25% to PM 2.5 levels and at some locations, it can spike to 35%. Using Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) can significantly reduce emissions from diesel vehicles. The introduction of more electric, hybrid and BS-VI vehicles can also help reduce the pollution. Improvement of public transport is also necessary to address the problem.
• Limit biomass burning: Burning of crop residue in Haryana and Punjab needs to stop on urgent basis. Instead of burning, the residue can be used for energy production, biogas generation and feeding cattle.
• Tackle fly ash: During summers, fly ash is one of the biggest contributors to PM 10 in Delhi. To deal with the pollutants, water spraying, installation of windbreakers and plantations should be done.
• Need of long-term plan: There are several measures that are being taken from spraying water to implementing GRAP to odd even solution. However, these measures provide temporary relief, therefore, the persistent problem of air pollution needs a long-term solution like drafting out an all-year action plan to improve air quality.
• Enhanced powers to the authorities: Though CAQM has taken various steps, but the agency has functioned more like a regulator whose primary responsibility is to implement the Graded Action Response Plan. There is a need for more independent power to authorities to take pre-emptive actions and allow denser monitoring.

THE CONCLUSION: Despite several steps taken for combating air pollution in Delhi, it continues to be a much more serious problem. To significantly improve air quality in Delhi, a host of preventive steps need to be taken to provide a long-term solution to this problem.

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

1. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (2021)
2. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (2020)

 MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Delhi registered severe air pollution on the Air Quality Index (AQI) recently. In this context, analyse the major factors contributing to Delhi’s pollution and suggest measures that need to be taken to address the persistent problem of air pollution in Delhi.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/delhi-air-quality-aqi-aqi-register-caqm-pollution-monitoring-agency-9110840/#:~:text=The%20persistent%20problem%20frames%20the,So%20far%2C%20mechanisms%20are%20failing&text=Delhi’s%20problems%20with%20poor%20air,the%20states%20neighbouring%20the%20NCR.

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. New butterfly species endemic to Western Ghats discovered in Karnataka READ MORE
2. India Signs Agreement for Lithium Exploration & Mining Project in Argentina READ MORE
3. Over 24.8 crore people moved out of poverty in India in nine years: NITI report READ MORE
4. Exports marginally up at $38.45 billion in December; trade deficit narrows READ MORE
5. AI will impact 40% of jobs globally, says IMF chief READ MORE
6. Why Kashmir and Ladakh are without snow this winter, its implications READ MORE
7. Warming up to climate change: As greenhouse gases occur naturally, why do emissions from human activities matter? READ MORE
8. Who are the shankaracharyas — and who was Adi Shankara? READ MORE
9. What is the World Economic Forum meeting, held annually in Davos? READ MORE
10. Changes in precipitation in moderate or very high emissions scenario to impact 3-5 billion people: Study READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

1. Second class: Autonomy in decision-making for Indian women is a rare privilege. Blame our social structure READ MORE
2. Indian women: Climbing the U curve READ MORE
3. Rising tide of atrocities against Dalits READ MORE
4. Bose’s winning goal for Independence READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A Speaker’s flawed move to determine the real faction READ MORE
2. Regulating India’s online gaming industry READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. On the Swachh Survekshan awards: Factors that hinder general improvement in sanitation must be overcome READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Iran, also ran: Jaishankar’s visit is useful. But New Delhi’s key interests in West Asia don’t now include Tehran READ MORE  
2. Doing diplomacy with patience in Maldives READ MORE
3. A new milestone in India-West Asia relations READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Empowering rural India through digital access READ MORE
2. WTO legitimacy at stake in Abu Dhabi meeting READ MORE
3. The geography of unequal growth READ MORE
4. The Middle Corridor and opportunities for India READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. For India, the easiest way to decarbonise is to scale up renewable capacity READ MORE
2. Conservation strategies to protect big cat stripes READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Are antibiotics over-prescribed in India? READ MORE
2. Direct mobile broadcasting is a gamechanger READ MORE
3. The pragmatic approach to counter international terrorism READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. The delusion of eliminating ‘the last terrorist’ READ MORE  
2. Border management cannot ignore Myanmar situation READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Awareness and deterrence key to reducing fire hazards READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Of Sun, science and sacred flames READ MORE
2. Spiritual compass READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The Middle Corridor initiative presents great opportunities for countries to create economic diversification, encourage regional integration, and foster stronger diplomatic relations. Comment.
2. The country requires a fiscal blueprint that harmonises economic growth with environmental imperatives and the 16th FC is the best-placed institutional mechanism to fulfil this critical need. Comment.
3. Indian diplomacy in the neighbourhood lacked both the economic and the military resources to deliver on its policy objectives that it inherited as the successor state to British India. Examine.
4. As long as defection disputes are in the hands of Speakers, and not any independent authority, political considerations will undoubtedly cast a shadow on the power to disqualify. Argue in the light of recent developments.
5. The lack of access to timely and accurate information always remained a hurdle for farmers in India. Discuss how the agri-tech startups are bridging this information gap through mobile applications and digital platforms?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace, we need love and compassion.
• Neutralising terrorists is a crucial objective of the security operations, but it ought not to become the overriding factor in the context of there being lower terror indices.
• It must be made clear here that the question as to which faction is the real party cannot be decided by the Speaker as the Tenth Schedule does not require him to decide this. This question is decided only by the Election Commission of India under paragraph 15 of the symbols order.
• Establishing a strict regulatory framework is an urgent need, not just for protecting our digital nagriks and national interests, but also to ensure responsible growth of the online gaming sector.
• Reduction in the use of fossil fuels can be easily done in the case of power generation where one needs to substitute coal and gas with solar, wind, hydro and also nuclear.
• India is caught between Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ on one hand and the US-Israel-Arab partnership on the other hand.
• Women’s participation rate in labour has risen, thanks to improvements in convenience and safety of working, and changes in social norms and preferences.
• Strained Delhi-Malé relations will boost Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean.
• Democracy is when the people keep a government in check.
• The situation in Myanmar, the diverse ethnic ecosystem in India’s North-East and the overall regional economic potential, a sound border management requires multi-stakeholder consultations.
• The complexities of geopolitics and geoeconomics in West Asia, India’s engagement with Iran, to a great extent, opened the doors for New Delhi in Riyadh, Kuwait, Baghdad and other regional capitals.
• Common Service Centres are transforming lives in rural India by offering employment opportunities and delivering digital services.
• Addressing the roots of terrorism and creating general awareness, along with public support against terrorist acts, are essential steps. However, the government’s attempt to delegate judgment to police and armed forces must be balanced to avoid diluting benefits and impeding peace and negotiation.
• The feudal equations across India are intertwined with caste and gender hierarchies, which create a power structure based on land possession and creates a congenial environment for violence against Dalits, especially in rural areas.
• The Middle Corridor initiative presents great opportunities for countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Central Asian Republics. It has the potential to create economic diversification, encourage regional integration, and foster stronger diplomatic relations.
• To address challenges in global security, climate change, emerging technology and trade, the international community must prioritize diverse voices and involve actors that have previously been on the margins of multilateral fora.

ESSAY TOPIC

• The truly happy ones, understand life.

50-WORD TALK

• Maharashtra assembly speaker Narwekar ruling in favour of Shinde faction in MLAs’ disqualification case was on expected lines. His interpretation of Sena’s leadership structure and SC’s observation on legislative majority was ingenious and convenient. Anti-defection law has become ineffective. SC’s suggestion for independent tribunal for disqualification petitions must be implemented.
• The islands remain largely inaccessible, tourist connectivity cumbersome and facilities limited. It’s time to unlock Lakshadweep’s potential. This round has gone to India; Maldives is busy controlling the damage after its ministers’ remarks on PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit. But what comes next is an inconvenient truth: we haven’t leveraged the tourism potential of our archipelago.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.