Question: Consider the following statements regarding National Clean Air Program:
1) Centre has targeted to cut air pollution by 20% till 2022 under this programme in 102 Indian cities
2) The programme will check the concentration of PM 2.5 and PM 10
3) Year 2016 has been chosen as the base year for the programme
Choose the correct the option of the following:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) All of the above
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- The centre has launched a five –year action plan (2019 as the first year) with a tentative target of 20-30% reduction in concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 by 2024, with 2017’s average annual PM (Particulate Matter) as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
- The National Clean Air Program (NCAP) was launched by Union minister Harsh Vardhan with an initial budget of Rs. 300 crore for the first two years.
- The plan includes 102 non-attainment 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 focus on collaborative and participatory and participatory approach covering all sources of pollution and coordination between relevant central ministries, state governments, local bodies and other stakeholders.
- The World Health Organisation’s database on air pollution over the years has listed Tier 1 and tier 2 cities as some of the most polluted places in the world.
By Ramayan Upadhyay
Links:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187400
http://envfor.nic.in/sites/default/files/NCAP%20with%20annex-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf
https://www.livemint.com/Politics/pf4RUYSAEsZkhU6wWfZoTN/Govt-unveils-National-Clean-Air-Programme.html
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/national-clean-air-programme-launch-air-pollution-5532409/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-aims-for-20-cut-in-air-pollution-by-2024/article25963099.ece