Context & The Gist
The editorial addresses the recurring issue of severe air pollution in North India, triggered by recent protests at India Gate concerning the alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. It argues that the government's response of policing citizens instead of engaging with them demonstrates a fundamental misdiagnosis of the problem – treating it as a law-and-order issue rather than a critical governance challenge requiring systemic solutions.
Key Arguments & Nuances
- Problem Scope: Beyond Delhi: The issue isn’t limited to Delhi but extends across a vast ‘airshed’ from Islamabad to Bihar, indicating a regional problem requiring coordinated action.
- Shift in Public Response: The middle class is moving beyond individual coping mechanisms (air purifiers, etc.) to public expression of concern, signaling a demand for systemic change.
- Governance Fragmentation: Authority is divided among multiple agencies with overlapping jurisdictions and conflicting incentives, hindering effective pollution control.
- Commission’s Limitations: Despite the creation of the Commission for Air Quality Management, interventions haven’t been substantial enough to address the scale of the problem.
- Ineffectiveness of Quick Fixes: Technical solutions are often short-term and fail to address the root causes of pollution.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance
- GS Paper II: Governance – Issues relating to development and management of the Environment, including pollution control.
- GS Paper III: Economy – Conservation, environmental pollution and its remedies.
- GS Paper III: Science & Technology – Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. (Monitoring technologies, data analysis)
Prelims Data Bank
- Air Quality Life Index (AQLI): Developed by the University of Chicago, it quantifies the impact of particulate pollution on life expectancy.
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Established in 2020 by an Act of Parliament to coordinate efforts to improve air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR).
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20-30% by 2024, with respect to 2017 levels.
Mains Critical Analysis
The North India air pollution crisis presents a complex interplay of environmental, economic, and political factors. A PESTLE analysis reveals:
- Political: Lack of political will for stringent enforcement, inter-state coordination issues, and prioritizing economic growth over environmental concerns.
- Economic: Dependence on polluting industries (power, manufacturing), agricultural practices (crop residue burning), and the cost of transitioning to cleaner technologies.
- Social: Public health impacts, social inequalities in exposure to pollution, and changing public awareness and demand for action.
- Technological: Availability of monitoring technologies, but gaps in data dissemination and enforcement.
- Legal: Existing regulations are often inadequate or poorly enforced, and the CAQM’s powers need to be strengthened.
- Environmental: The airshed concept highlights the interconnectedness of air quality across regions, requiring a holistic approach.
A critical gap lies in the lack of a long-term, integrated strategy. The focus on seasonal emergency measures is insufficient to address the underlying causes of pollution. The failure to effectively utilize the CAQM’s mandate and the reliance on technical quick fixes further exacerbate the problem. The government’s heavy-handed response to protests also undermines public trust and hinders constructive engagement.
Value Addition
- Mashelkar Committee (2018): Recommended a shift from end-of-pipe solutions to integrated pollution prevention and control.
- M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India (1996): Landmark SC judgment directing measures to control vehicular pollution in Delhi.
- Best Practice: London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): Charges high-polluting vehicles to enter a designated zone, incentivizing cleaner transportation.
- Quote: “Air pollution is a silent killer, and it demands urgent and concerted action.” – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
The Way Forward
- Immediate Measure: Strengthen enforcement of existing regulations, particularly during the winter months, and ensure transparent data dissemination.
- Long-term Reform: Develop time-bound sectoral plans for emissions reduction, invest in cleaner technologies and fuels, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and empower the CAQM with greater authority and resources.