Context & The Gist
The recent spike in air pollution in Delhi-NCR following Diwali celebrations, reaching a three-year low in air quality, underscores a recurring problem. The editorial argues that focusing solely on festive activities like firecrackers as the primary cause is a misdirection; the core issue lies in the consistently high baseline pollution levels throughout the year, coupled with ineffective and politically driven short-term measures.
Key Arguments & Nuances
- Misplaced Focus on Quick Fixes: The emphasis on regulating firecrackers, even 'green' ones, distracts from the fundamental problem of chronic pollution.
- Polarizing Politics: Blaming specific activities (like Diwali celebrations or farmer’s crop residue burning) fuels political polarization instead of fostering collaborative solutions.
- Ignoring Baseline Pollution: The editorial highlights that Delhi-NCR’s air is already severely polluted throughout the year, making even a small increase during festivals catastrophic.
- Neglect of Local Sources: Issues like unpaved roads, potholes, garbage disposal, and end-of-life vehicles contribute significantly to pollution but are consistently overlooked.
- Inconsistent Policy Implementation: The vacillation and rollback of policies, such as the fuel ban on older vehicles, demonstrate a lack of sustained commitment to addressing the problem.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance
- GS Paper II: Governance – Issues Relating to Development and Management of Environment: The article directly relates to pollution control, environmental regulations, and the effectiveness of government policies.
- GS Paper III: Economy – Pollution and its Impact: The economic costs of pollution (healthcare, productivity loss) and the need for sustainable solutions are relevant.
- GS Paper III: Science and Technology – Environmental Pollution and Remediation: Understanding the sources of pollution (PM2.5, PM10) and potential technological solutions.
Prelims Data Bank
- PM2.5 & PM10: These are particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometers respectively, considered harmful to human health.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, compared to 2017 levels.
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Established in 2020, a statutory authority responsible for air quality management in the Delhi-NCR region.
Mains Critical Analysis
The Delhi pollution crisis exemplifies a systemic failure in environmental governance. The reliance on reactive, short-term measures like cracker bans, while symbolically important, fails to address the root causes. A PESTLE analysis reveals:
- Political: The issue is highly politicized, hindering long-term, consistent policy implementation.
- Economic: Addressing pollution requires investment in infrastructure (roads, waste management) and incentives for farmers, which can be costly.
- Social: Changing public behavior (e.g., reducing vehicle usage, responsible waste disposal) is crucial but challenging.
- Technological: Adopting cleaner technologies in industries, transportation, and agriculture is essential.
- Legal: Strengthening environmental regulations and ensuring their effective enforcement is vital.
- Environmental: The geographical and meteorological factors (e.g., landlocked location, winter inversion) exacerbate the problem.
The critical gap lies in the lack of a holistic, long-term strategy that tackles the year-round baseline pollution. The focus on blaming specific events allows authorities to avoid addressing the more complex and politically sensitive issues of infrastructure deficits, industrial emissions, and agricultural practices.
Value Addition
- Mashelkar Committee (2006): Recommended a comprehensive action plan for controlling vehicular pollution in Delhi.
- M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India (1996): Landmark SC judgment directing measures to control vehicular pollution in Delhi, including the introduction of CNG.
- Best Practice: London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges high-polluting vehicles for entering a designated area, incentivizing cleaner transportation.
- Quote: “The true measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi (Relevant to the public health impact of pollution).
The Way Forward
- Immediate Measure: Implement a strict vehicle emission control program, focusing on older vehicles and promoting public transportation.
- Long-term Reform: Develop a comprehensive air quality management plan that addresses all major pollution sources, including industrial emissions, construction dust, agricultural practices, and waste management. This plan should be backed by sustained funding, robust monitoring, and strict enforcement.