India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Shows Mixed progress: Report

January 10, 2024

GS Paper III Environment

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.

Also Refer: Mumbai’s Air Pollution Is The Second Highest In The World

News Source: The Hindu