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- Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for 132 identified cities for implementation of city specific action plans under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
- A National Knowledge Network comprising leading air quality specialists has also been constituted as a technical advisory group to support activities under NCAP.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- It was launched by the MoEFCC in January 2019 as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy that features:
- Making determined efforts to deal with the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.
- Achieving 20% to 30% reduction target in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 where 2017 is kept as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
- Identification of 122 non-attainment cities across the country based on the 2014-2018 Air Quality data.
- Non- Attainment Cities are the cities which do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
- Preparation of the city specific action plans including measures to strengthen the monitoring network, reduce vehicular/industrial emissions, increase public awareness etc.
- Implementation of the city specific action plans to be regularly monitored by Committees at Central and State level namely Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee and Implementation Committee.
- Facilitating collaborative, multi-scale and cross-sectoral coordination between the relevant central ministries, state governments and local bodies.
- Establishing a right mix with the existing policies and programmes which include the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and other government initiatives related to climate change.
- Constant change, activity and progress to get evolved based on the additional scientific and technical information as they emerge.
- Increasing number of monitoring stations in the country including rural monitoring stations, technology support.
- Emphasis on awareness and capacity building initiatives.
- Setting up of certification agencies for monitoring equipment, source apportionment studies, emphasis on enforcement, specific sectoral interventions etc.
Objective
- To augment and evolve effective and proficient ambient air quality monitoring networks across the country.
- To have efficient data dissemination and public outreach mechanisms for timely measures for prevention and mitigation of air pollution.
- To have a feasible management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
NGT’s directions on NCAP
- Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to modify the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
- NCAP proposes 20-30% reduction of air pollution by 2024.
- NGT made the following direction:
- Deadline to reduce air pollution by 20-30% by 2024 needs to be reduced.
- Increase the target of reduction.
- Review the action in terms of shift to e-vehicles and CNG vehicles, intensifying public transport systems, mechanical cleaning of roads, improvement in fuel quality, etc.
- Ensure the assessment and installation of the requisite number of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems within six months.
Steps needed to make it more effective
- Need stronger mandate: It is necessary to create a firm mandate with a strong legal back up for cities and regions to implement NCAP in a time bound manner for effective reduction.
- Higher ambitions: It needs to be told with a clear rider that NCAP should not become only a top-down prescriptive approach.
- The NCAP will have to create enough room for tighter action that can be even stronger than the common minimum national programme as defined by NCAP.
- Need litmus test for effectiveness: NCAP has certainly helped kick start the much-awaited good practice of setting air pollution reduction targets.
- It is necessary to find and outline our very own regulatory and market-based solutions without being draconian.
- Need fiscal strategy: NCAP cannot be sustainable nor can it gain strength or make a difference on a longer-term basis if it does not have a clear fiscal strategy.
Conclusion
- For successful implementation of the action plan, there is a paramount need for cooperation and coordination among state agencies and technical supervision by expert Institutions of Repute.
Source: TOI
