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Air Pollution Crisis: A Shared South Asian Challenge

Syllabus:

GS-2:

Government Policies & Interventions

GS-3:

Environmental Pollution & Degradation

Focus:

Delhi’s air quality recently reached hazardous levels, with pollution spiking to 50 times the WHO’s safety limit. This recurring crisis highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to combat air pollution, a transboundary issue affecting millions across South Asia.

The Severity of Air Pollution in Delhi:

• Delhi’s air quality has reached “severe plus” levels, with pollution levels up to 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safety limit.
• The Air Quality Index (AQI) peaked at 451 on November 18, 2024, a level that exceeds the highest measure on the scale (500).
• This catastrophic pollution is part of a recurring crisis, showing a consistent pattern of environmental neglect over the years.
• Experts have warned for decades that air pollution in Northern India, particularly in Delhi, is a severe health hazard.
• Pollution contributes to premature deaths, with estimates indicating 2 million deaths annually in India.
• The health impacts include impaired brain development, lung diseases, heart conditions, and increased risks for other long-term illnesses.

Key Steps Taken by the Government for Air Quality Improvement:

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
• Launched in 2019 to reduce PM10 levels by 40% by 2025-26 in 131 non-attainment cities.
• Improvement seen in 88 cities as of FY 2022-23.
• Control of Vehicular Emissions:
• BS-VI fuel and vehicles implemented nationwide from April 2020.
• FAME-II and SATAT schemes promote electric vehicles and biogas.
• New expressways reduce non-destined traffic in major cities.
• Control of Industrial Emissions:
• New SO2 and NOx standards for thermal power plants.
• Bans on pet coke and furnace oil in NCR; industries shift to PNG and biomass.
• Emission standards for 56 sectors and online monitoring systems mandated.
• Stubble Burning Measures:
• Subsidies for crop residue management machinery in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Financial support for pelletization and torrefaction plants.
• CPCB and CAQM monitor and enforce stubble burning restrictions.
• Air Quality Monitoring:
• National AQI (2015) tracks air quality with over 1,400 monitoring stations.
• Real-time tracking and forecasts, particularly for Delhi-NCR.

Technology-Driven Projects:

• Pariyayantra Filtration Units:
• Retrofitted on buses to filter dust without power.
• WAYU Units:
• Installed at traffic intersections to target vehicular emissions.
• Ionization Technology:
• Neutralizes pollutants, improving localized air quality.
• Smog Towers:
• Large purifiers to reduce particulate matter over wider areas.
• Vehicle Retrofitting:
• Emission control devices fitted on older vehicles to reduce their emissions.

The Impact on Society and Economy

• Pollution exacerbates the struggles of the vulnerable sections of society, especially the poor and working-class citizens who suffer the most from its harmful effects.
• The upper classes can mitigate the impact by using air filtration systems or fleeing to cleaner regions, but this only increases the inequality in exposure.
• Pollution not only harms physical health but also has a broader economic impact, affecting productivity, healthcare costs, and overall quality of life.
• The situation undermines efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, especially those related to health and the environment.
• The prolonged exposure to pollutants is pushing the region closer to irreversible environmental damage, setting back development.

The Root Causes and Current Measures

• Major contributors to air pollution in India include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, agricultural waste burning, and the use of coal and firewood for cooking and heating.
• Seasonal factors, like the winter, trap pollutants closer to the ground, intensifying the crisis.
• Although there have been efforts to reduce pollution, like transitioning public buses from diesel to natural gas and promoting cleaner cooking fuels, these measures are insufficient.
• Despite the efforts, the response is often reactive rather than proactive, implemented only in emergency situations, such as imposing restrictions similar to pandemic lockdowns.
• The government has failed to take adequate preventive actions to address the ongoing crisis, despite knowing its predictable consequences.

The Regional Scope of the Crisis

• Air pollution is not confined to Delhi alone but affects a larger region, impacting millions of people across Northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
• Pollution levels in this part of South Asia are a transboundary issue, with pollutants crossing borders and affecting the entire region.
• The air we breathe and the water we drink do not recognize national borders. Pollution, like other environmental issues, transcends boundaries, affecting neighboring countries.
• The region’s historical conflicts have often clouded cooperation between South Asian nations, but pollution could serve as a unifying challenge that demands collective action.
• If South Asian nations recognize this shared environmental challenge, it could pave the way for stronger regional cooperation and conflict resolution.

A Call for Collective Action and Regional Cooperation:

• Governments in South Asia need to set aside political differences and historical conflicts to address the urgent challenge of air pollution.
• Building bridges across regional divides could lead to joint efforts to tackle pollution, benefiting the health and development of the entire subcontinent.
• The lessons of history show that in the face of a common environmental crisis, even sworn enemies have cooperated for mutual survival and benefit.
• Addressing air pollution effectively will require cross-border cooperation and strong regional solidarity, as pollution impacts every citizen in the region, regardless of nationality.
• The environmental crisis calls for a unified approach, recognizing that we are all part of a shared ecosystem, and our actions must reflect this interdependence. Without such collaboration, efforts to mitigate pollution will always face major obstacles.

Challenges in Addressing Air Pollution:

• Lack of Proactive Policies: Responses to pollution crises are often reactive, focusing on short-term solutions rather than long-term prevention.
• Cross-Border Nature of Pollution: Air pollution transcends national boundaries, making it difficult to address through isolated efforts.
• Limited Enforcement: Existing regulations on industrial emissions, construction activities, and waste burning are poorly implemented.
• Economic Constraints: Transitioning to cleaner technologies requires substantial financial investment, which poses challenges for both governments and industries.
• Socioeconomic Disparities: Vulnerable populations lack resources to protect themselves from pollution, deepening inequality.
• Inadequate Public Awareness: Many people remain unaware of the health risks of pollution and the importance of reducing their own contributions.
• Political Hurdles: Historical conflicts and political differences within and across countries hinder collaborative efforts.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen Regional Cooperation: South Asian nations must collaborate on policies and share resources to tackle transboundary pollution effectively.
• Implement Long-Term Measures: Promote clean energy, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and expand public transport infrastructure.
• Enhance Monitoring and Regulation: Strictly enforce pollution control laws and penalize violations.
• Promote Public Awareness: Educate citizens about the health impacts of pollution and ways to reduce emissions.
• Support Vulnerable Populations: Provide resources like affordable air purifiers and access to cleaner cooking fuels.
• Invest in Research and Innovation: Develop and adopt cleaner technologies for industrial and agricultural practices.
• Political Willpower: Prioritize environmental health as a national and regional emergency to ensure sustained action.

Conclusion:

• Air pollution is a shared challenge across South Asia that requires urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
• By focusing on collective well-being and shared interests, countries in the region can build trust and work together to address the pollution crisis.
• Ignoring this issue or focusing solely on localized solutions will only prolong the suffering and hinder the region’s progress in the long term.

Source: Indian Express

Mains Practice Question:

Air pollution is a regional challenge with severe environmental, health, and economic impacts. Discuss the main causes, challenges in mitigation, and suggest measures to tackle it through regional cooperation and policy reforms.