As per the report of Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR), Air pollution has caused one in eight deaths in India last year, besides lowering the average life expectancy by 1.7 years. As per WHO report, Air pollution in India has led to over 1 lakh child deaths in 2016.
Considering the menace, Government of India has unveiled the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 102 cities across 23 states and Union territories, which were identified by Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015 .
The NCAP will be a time bounded, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first year. The objective is to reduce the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 by 20-30 per cent by the year 2024. For the comparison of concentration, the programme shall consider 2017 as the base year.
The baseline perspective is to enhance the pollution monitoring networks and synergize the related awareness activities. According to an analysis, at least 4,000 monitors are needed across the country, instead of the existing 101 real-time air quality (AQ) monitors.
It is high time to support and execute such programme even though it is not binding on the state governments as it is not a legal document.
click here to read the related document issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests.
