NATIONAL CLEAN AIR PROGRAM (NCAP)
2. Abour National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was initiated by the Indian government to address the alarming levels of atmospheric pollution, particularly the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM). Under NCAP, cities in India exceeding annual PM levels are required to develop and execute Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs) annually. To support this initiative, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has allocated ₹10,422.73 crore.
Challenges in NCAP Implementation
Despite the proactive submission of CAAPs by most cities, the implementation of NCAP has faced inconsistencies. According to the Ministry, only 60% of the allocated funds have been utilized on average, with 27% of cities spending less than 30% of their designated budgets. Notably, cities like Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru have spent minimal percentages of their NCAP funds, hindering progress.
Barriers to Implementation
- Delays in implementation primarily stem from bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of standard operating procedures.
- Approval delays from competent authorities, such as technical specifications for tendering processes and procurement of necessary equipment like mechanical sweepers and electric buses, have been significant impediments.
- Additionally, the absence of well-defined timelines and time-consuming tasks further exacerbate delays.
- Overcoming these challenges requires a systematic approach integrating Emissions Inventory (EI), Air Quality (AQ) modelling, and Source Apportionment (SA).
- Recent findings questioning the efficacy of outdoor smog towers have also fueled doubts among decision-makers, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of proposed mitigation measures.
3. Role of Scientific Tools in Pollution Management
Scientific tools play a crucial role in addressing air pollution challenges, particularly in identifying and understanding its origins.
- EI studies provide valuable insights into local pollution sources and their contributions, enabling experts to forecast future emissions and shape targeted pollution control strategies.
- Despite their usefulness, EI studies have limitations, especially in assessing the impact of transboundary pollution sources, such as stubble burning outside Delhi, on local air quality.
- SA studies offer detailed analyses of contributions from various pollution sources, including distant ones.
- However, they lack predictive capabilities and require substantial resources for chemical analysis.
- Additionally, SA studies struggle to differentiate between pollution origins with similar chemical signatures, such as emissions from diesel trucks nearby versus those further away.
- AQ modelling bridges gaps left by EI and SA studies by informing our understanding of pollution dispersion, including from distant sources.
- By simulating the movement of pollutants in the atmosphere, AQ modelling enhances our ability to assess and mitigate air pollution's impacts.
4. Utilization of Scientific Data in Air Pollution Management
- Cities ideally utilize Emissions Inventory (EI) and Source Apportionment (SA) data to identify air pollutants and devise targeted mitigation measures for each polluting activity.
- However, according to the Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities, only 37% of cities have completed EI and SA studies, leaving 63% without a clear understanding of their air pollution sources.
- This lack of data raises concerns about the effectiveness of Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs), as cities may not accurately gauge the emission reduction potential of proposed measures.
- To address this, cities must establish proper yearly targets based on their potential and infrastructure capabilities.
Challenges and Considerations
- The reliance of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on concentration data, which measures population exposure to pollution, adds complexity.
- Pollution from high-emitting industries and sources beyond city limits, transported into urban areas by wind, complicates urban air quality management.
- Additionally, many existing control measures primarily target primary PM emissions, overlooking their secondary precursors.
- There's a need for a shift towards comprehensive strategies addressing both primary and secondary pollutants.
- Furthermore, while NCAP aims to establish infrastructure for air quality forecasting, only a few cities like Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad have implemented decision-support systems.
- Implementing such systems across cities is crucial for timely and effective pollution management.
5. Key Factors for NCAP Success
The success of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) relies on several critical elements beyond just data and models.
- Efficient implementation on the ground is paramount. To achieve this, implementation agencies must streamline bureaucratic processes by adopting shared, standardized technical evaluations. This will expedite the execution of NCAP initiatives and ensure timely action on pollution reduction measures.
- Given that NCAP funding is tied to cities' performance in reducing annual average PM concentrations, proactive budgeting and meticulous time management are essential. Initial plans should encompass thorough assessments of technical feasibility, budget requirements, and timeframes to facilitate successful execution.
- NCAP's vision for cleaner air in India necessitates a multifaceted approach. Success requires integrating rigorous scientific studies, strategic allocation of funds, and prompt, efficient implementation of mitigation measures.
6. The Way Forward
The successful implementation of the NCAP requires concerted efforts to address challenges, utilize scientific data effectively, and adopt a comprehensive approach towards pollution management. By addressing these key factors, India can make significant progress towards achieving cleaner air for its citizens.
For Prelims: National Clean Air Programme, Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, Clean Air Action Plans For Mains:
1. What are the challenges and opportunities presented by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for improving air quality in Indian cities? Discuss the measures required to overcome implementation hurdles and ensure the effective management of air pollution. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (UPSC 2016)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 3 only B. 2, 3 and 4 only C. 1, 4 and 5 only D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 2. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (UPSC 2020)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 3 only B. 2 and 4 only C. 1, 3 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
3. What is the ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’? (UPSC 2016) (a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions
(b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies.
(c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
(d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank
4. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among (UPSC 2013) (a) NO2, O3 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
(b) CO, O2 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
(c) CO, CO2 and NO2 at low temperature
(d) high concentration of NO2 O3 and CO in the evening
5. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of the environment (UPSC 2013, 2022) (a) Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen
(b) Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide
(c) Ozone and Carbon Dioxide
(d) Nitrous Oxide and Sulphur Dioxide
6. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for (UPSC 2017) (a) Measuring oxygen level in blood
(b) Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems
(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystem
(d) Assessing oxygen levels in high-altitude regions
7. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently published the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, in 2020. Which of the following statements is correct about EIA? (Punjab Civil Service 2020)
1. It predicts the effect of a proposed industrial/infrastructural project on the environment.
2. It prevents the proposed activity/project from being approved without proper oversight or taking adverse consequences into account.
3. It compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits.
4. As per the new notification, Coal and non-Coal mineral prospecting and solar photovoltaic projects do not need prior environmental clearance.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. Only 1 and 2
B. Only 2, 3 and 4
C. Only 1, 2 and 3
D. Only 1, 2 and 4
8. Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization is located in (NDA 2017)
A. Washington B. Geneva C. Moscow D. London
9. With reference to the 'Global Climate Change Alliance', which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2017)
1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 2 only B. 3 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
10. The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. IPCC stands for: (RRB NTPC CBT 2 2022)
A. Intergovernmental Provision on Climate Change
B. International Panel on Climate Change
C. International Provision on Climate Change
D. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
11. Comprehension (SSC CHSL 2020)
Direction: In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank.
Forest fire always (1) ______ by one of two reasons-naturally caused or human-caused. Natural fire is generally (2) ______ by lightning, with a very small percentage (3) ______ by spontaneous combustion of dry fuel such as sawdust and leaves. (4) ______, human-caused fire can happen (5) ______ any number of reasons.
Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1.
A. takes up B. happens C. causes D. creates
12. Which of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the (UPSC 2020)
A. long-term damage done by a tonne of CO2 emission in a given year.
B. requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels.
C. efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live in a new place.
D. contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.
13. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs (UPSC 2012)
A. the water vapour of the air and retains its heat
B. the ultraviolet part of the solar radiation
C. all the solar radiations
D. the infrared part of the solar radiation
14. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of a balanced diet, to avoid unhealthy weight gain, total fat should NOT exceed _______ of total energy intake. (UPSSSC Mandi Inspector 2019)
A. 20% B. 30% C. 10% D. 40%
15. What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems? (UPSC 2012)
1. It inactivates/kills the harmful microorganisms in water.
2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water.
3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
16. Which of the following ultraviolet rays is more dangerous? (UPTET 2017)
A. UV-A B. UV-B C. UV-C D. None of the above
17. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2019)
1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.
2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.
3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 2 only D. 1, 2 and 3
18. Which of the following is a VOC? (MP Vyapam 2022)
A. Toulene B. Water C. Carbon dioxide D. Carbon monoxide
19. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are of great concern because (UGC NET Environmental Science 2020)
A. Once such compounds are in the vapour state, they are difficult to control in the environment.
B. Most of them are ozone-depleting substances
C. They contribute to a general increase in reactive hydrocarbons in the atmosphere.
D. They are less soluble in water.
Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-A, 4-A, 5-D, 6-C, 7-D, 8-B, 9-A, 10-D, 11-B, 12-A, 13-D, 14-B, 15-A, 16-C, 17-D, 18-A, 19-C
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