No more hot air about air pollution

Air pollution is the contamination of the air with harmful substances that can be detrimental to human health, ecosystems, and the environment. It is a complex issue with various sources and consequences, making it a major global concern.

Sources of air pollution

• Burning fossil fuels for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial activities releases pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide.
• Various industrial processes, including mining, smelting, and manufacturing, release harmful chemicals and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
• Agricultural activities, such as burning crop residues and using fertilizers, contribute to air pollution by releasing ammonia, methane, and nitrous oxide.
• Natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and forest fires can also contribute to air pollution.

Impacts of air pollution

• Air pollution is a major health hazard, linked to respiratory diseases, heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. It can be particularly harmful to children, pregnant women, and elderly people.
• Air pollution can contribute to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere. This can lead to changes in weather patterns and rising sea levels.
• Air pollution can damage ecosystems by harming plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, and altering soil chemistry.
• Air pollution can lead to economic losses due to reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and damage to crops and infrastructure.

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is a landmark initiative launched by the Government of India in January 2019 to tackle the severe air pollution problem in the country. It aims to achieve a 20%-30% reduction in Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations by 2024, compared to the 2017 baseline.

Key Objectives

• Reduce PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less) and PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less) concentrations by 20%-30% by 2024.
• Improve air quality in 131 non-attainment cities (cities exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards) across 24 States and Union Territories.
• Develop and implement city-specific action plans for pollution control.
• Promote public awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
• Strengthen air quality monitoring networks.

Key Features

• The program prioritizes non-attainment cities with high pollution levels, providing them with targeted support and resources.
• Each participating city develops a comprehensive action plan based on its specific air pollution challenges and sources.
• NCAP promotes collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, civil society, and research institutions.
• The program is implemented in phases, with the first phase focusing on 102 non-attainment cities and the second phase covering the remaining 29 cities.

Challenges

• Implementing NCAP effectively requires significant financial resources, which can be a challenge for some states and cities.
• Ensuring compliance with emission standards and regulations is crucial for achieving desired results.
• Raising awareness about air pollution and encouraging public participation is essential for long-term success.
• Reliable and accurate data on air quality is critical for effective monitoring and evaluation of the program.

• India's air pollution crisis presents a dire threat to public health and well-being. It holds the dubious distinction of being the leading cause of respiratory illnesses like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with 50% of global cases occurring within its borders. Similarly, 13% of the world's asthma burden falls on India, while cases of cancer and stroke are rising alarmingly.
• The consequences of this toxic air are stark: citizens in affected cities face a reduced life expectancy of nine years. The economic impact is equally staggering, with the World Economic Forum estimating annual losses due to air pollution at a staggering ₹7.91 lakh crore.
• Despite launching the National Clean Air Programme in 2019, targeting 131 polluted cities, the government's inaction has rendered it largely ineffective. While grand pronouncements were made during the G-20 summit, boasting of India's "Vishwaguru" status and supposed developmental achievements, the reality on the ground paints a bleak picture, showcasing the government's disregard for the well-being of its people.
• India remains far from the World Health Organization's safety standards for PM2.5 levels, leaving citizens exposed to the perilous health consequences of air pollution. This crisis is further exacerbated by the government's amendments to environmental legislation, which prioritize corporate interests over environmental protection, as seen in the destructive Great Nicobar Development Plan and the Central Vista project.
• The project, a symbol of the government's misplaced priorities, has resulted in the loss of thousands of trees in Lutyen's Delhi, further worsening the air quality of the capital. The environmental damage caused by the project pales in comparison to the government's blatant disregard for building laws and its reliance on outdated legislation for its execution.
• Indiscriminate demolitions, generating massive amounts of debris, and the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the roads (over 3.38 million private cars in Delhi alone in 2021) contribute significantly to the pollution crisis. Yet, the government's narrative conveniently focuses on blaming stubble burning and "irresponsible" farmers, diverting attention away from its own culpability.
• The relentless pursuit of market-driven development at the expense of public health aligns perfectly with Karl Marx's observation in the Communist Manifesto, where he characterized the bourgeois government as the "executive committee for managing the general affairs of the capitalists." This statement remains tragically relevant in the era of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization), highlighting the government's priorities and its disregard for the true cost of its actions on the health and well-being of its people.