Context: According to the report analysis by Respirer Living Sciences and Climate Trends, only 27 out of 49 cities showed a decline in PM 2.5 level over five years despite the effort put forth by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Key Highlights of Report on National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- The study analyzed data from 99 cities and while others showed declines and rises, only 49 had data worth at least 60 months and for at least five years.
- India’s biggest cities report marginal declines or increasing pollution loads.
- For Example: Delhi shows an average, annual PM 2.5 levels decline of only 5.9%.
- Navi Mumbai, a suburb of Mumbai, has seen a 46% rise in PM 2.5 levels instead of a decline.
- Nearly 18 of the top 20 cities with the highest PM 2.5 levels in 2023 are clustered in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP).
- Cities show sharp decline
- Varanasi is among the cities that showed a sharp decline in PM 2.5 from 2019-2023.
- Agra too reported a 53% decline as did Jodhpur with a 50% decline.
About the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in January 2019.
- Aim: To achieve reductions up to 40% or achievement of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter10 (PM 10) concentrations by 2025-26.
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Also Refer: Mumbai’s Air Pollution Is The Second Highest In The World
News Source: The Hindu