THE CONTEXT: The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) faces severe air pollution, particularly during winter, due to a complex interplay of meteorological factors and human activities. With PM2.5 levels often exceeding 300 μg/m³ in cities like Delhi during peak pollution episodes requires a comprehensive, airshed-based approach that transcends administrative boundaries.
PHENOMENON CAUSING AIR POLLUTION:
The Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) experiences severe air pollution, particularly during winter months, due to a combination of meteorological and anthropogenic factors:
- Winter Inversion: Cooler earth surfaces during winter reduce temperatures near the ground, preventing air from rising and dispersing pollutants. A layer of warmer air traps cold air beneath, creating an inversion layer that concentrates pollution.
- Wind Patterns and Pollution Concentration: Wind speed and direction significantly influence pollution levels. Low wind speeds exacerbate pollution by limiting dispersion. In November 2023, Delhi experienced its slowest average wind speed in six years, about 21% slower than previous years, contributing to increased PM2.5 levels.
- Topography: The unique geography of the IGP, with the Himalayas to the north and the Deccan plateau to the south, creates a valley effect that causes air to stagnate.
OTHER FACTORS:
- Global Warming and Local Air Quality: Scientific studies show that increasing CO2 emissions tend to reduce surface wind speed in the IGP, potentially leading to higher wintertime particulate matter concentrations. A study published in Advancing Earth Space Sciences (September 2022) estimates a 1% increase in average wintertime PM2.5 concentrations per degree K of global warming.
- Regional Pollution Sources: About 55% of Delhi’s pollution originates outside its territorial borders. Major polluters in the IGP include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
- Sectoral Contributions: Industry accounts for 48.5% of total emissions in the IGP. Household cooking contributes 19% of emissions, with the highest contributions from UP, Bihar, and West Bengal. Transport is a major contributor in metropolitan cities.
CHALLENGES:
- Transboundary Nature of Pollution: Air pollution travels long distances within South Asia, crossing municipal, state, and national boundaries. A 2021 study by IIT Roorkee found significant contributions to pollution from neighboring IGP states.
- Administrative and Political Overlaps: Coordinated action across multiple jurisdictions is necessary but challenging. The framework for formal adoption of integrated management of airshed is not yet in place.
- Meteorological Factors: Complex interplay of wind, temperature, and atmospheric conditions affects pollution levels. Climate change is expected to alter future stagnation patterns, potentially impacting the effectiveness of air quality policies.
SOLUTIONS:
- Airshed Approach to Pollution Control: Considering air pollution management at an airshed level, rather than limiting actions to political and administrative boundaries. The state has adopted an airshed action plan, identifying clean cooking as the most cost-effective intervention based on the GAINS model. The World Bank is supporting the development of India’s first large Airshed Action Plan for the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
- Legal and Institutional Framework: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been set up for the National Capital Region and adjoining areas. There’s a need for similar frameworks in other regions.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Initiatives: NCAP has taken on board the need for regional airshed management, with a special focus on the IGP. State-level action plans are being prepared.
- Operationalizing Regional Action: Developing regional action plans, monitoring strategies, and legal frameworks for integrated action. Aligning responsibilities of different authorities and compliance systems within regions and the federal system. There is a need for reducing emissions at regional levels to compensate for unfavourable meteorological conditions.
- International Cooperation: Experts emphasize the importance of international cooperation in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, given the transboundary nature of pollution. World bank study estimated that coordinated measures across sectors and borders within South Asia are 45% less costly than ad hoc measures that do not involve coordination or cooperation.
THE CONCLUSION:
Addressing air pollution in the IGP necessitates a paradigm shift towards integrated airshed management, as exemplified by the Air Commission for Delhi-NCR. Implementing regional action plans and fostering inter-state cooperation are crucial steps towards achieving the National Clean Air Programme’s goal of reducing particulate matter concentrations by 20-30% by 2024.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.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 these revised standards? 2022
Q.2 What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? 2020
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Evaluate the challenges in implementing an airshed approach to air pollution control in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Suggest measures to overcome these challenges.
SOURCE:
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/a-landmark-decision
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